Predators draft Tanner Molendyk 24th overall
The Nashville Predators selected Tanner Molendyk with the 24th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Tanner Molendyk
Position: Defense
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 181 lbs
Shoots: Left
Age: 18
Club: Saskatoon (WHL)
Nationality: 🇨🇦
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 28th among North American skaters
2022-23 stats
| GP | G | A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saskatoon | 67 | 9 | 28 |
| Hlinka Gretzky Cup | 5 | 1 | 3 |
Molendyk's modest 37 points don't jump off the page, but he's an incredibly fun player to watch.
The defenseman's skating ability is among the best in the draft class. He evades forecheckers with elusive, quick cuts and is comfortable carrying the puck up the ice. Molendyk's mobility also makes him among the top transition blue-liners in the WHL on both attack and defense.
His average-at-best size and lack of offense leave him ranked on the fringes of the first round by most outlets, despite his exciting skating and quality rush defense. He ranked sixth among WHL draft-eligible defensemen in scoring this season.
Drafted fifth overall in the 2020 WHL draft by the Saskatoon Blades, Molendyk's been among the top prospects for this age group in Western Canada for some time.
The Kamloops, B.C. native made his debut for Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup at the beginning of the 2022-23 season. There, he played a pivotal defensive role on a Canadian team that allowed just three goals all tournament.
Molendyk will return to the WHL's Saskatoon Blades next season.
What they're saying
"An exceptionally mobile defenseman who can get pucks up ice in a hurry, Molendyk is an especially intriguing prospect," wrote FloHockey's Chris Peters. "There are plenty of 5-foot-11 defensemen that are starting to find roles in the NHL and, while there's a legitimate question about if his offensive tools are dynamic enough to get him up the lineup at the NHL level, Molendyk's skating is especially enticing."
"His size will be a minor issue as a defenseman in the NHL, but he plays hard and doesn't shy from physical play, often landing hard hits at the junior level," The Athletic's Corey Pronman said. "I think he checks a lot of boxes and projects to be a top-four defenseman."
"He evades pressure and walks the line with the best of them in this class, displaying comfort on his heels and inside and outside edges," wrote The Athletic's Scott Wheeler. "He doesn't have high-end upside but I don't think anyone who has watched Molendyk closely would be surprised if he became an effective, play-steering bottom-four defenseman on the back of his skating, comfort, and consistent decision-making."
Click here to view Molendyk's highlights.