2023 NHL Draft continues week of hockey celebrations in Nashville

NASHVILLE -- In nearly 26 years as the Nashville Predators general manager, David Poile has seen just about everything when it comes to hockey in this city.

But even Poile has been wowed by what he's witnessed this week.

The Nashville showcase began Monday with the 2023 NHL Awards, continued Wednesday with the first round of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft and will wrap up Thursday with rounds 2 through 7 (11 a.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVAS).

A roaring Bridgestone Arena crowd supplied plenty of atmosphere Wednesday by cheering the picks, which began with the Chicago Blackhawks selecting center Connor Bedard and finished with the Vegas Golden Knights choosing center David Edstrom at No. 32.

"Have you talked to anybody that's not happy to be here?" Poile said. "Anybody in the National Hockey League, everyone gets excited when they have the opportunity to come to Nashville.

"I think these events we've been able to host have been very impressive for the National Hockey League, and for sponsors and fans and media. ... So kudos to the Preds and the business side. Kudos to Nashville for being such a great city."

RELATED: [Complete 2023 NHL Draft coverage | Complete 2023 NHL Awards coverage]

The events this week have also included a transition of leadership for the host team.

Poile, the only GM in Predators history, is overseeing his final draft and will step down Friday. He will be replaced by Barry Trotz, who was hired by Poile as Nashville's first coach in 1997.

"He's someone who's meant so much to my life, so much friendship, given me advice," Trotz said. "It's just as surreal for me as it is probably for David. Because I've always looked up to David these 40 years we've known each other."

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman began the proceedings by thanking Nashville for its hospitality in hosting the awards and draft. Bettman noted that the city, in addition to hosting the draft in 2003, has been home to significant League events in recent years.

The 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game was played here. Nashville reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2017, losing in six games to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 2022 Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series was held at Nissan Stadium, with the Predators losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"There should be no doubt that Nashville loves and supports the NHL," Bettman said. "So thank you."

The Commissioner then turned his attention to Poile, thanking him for his lengthy service as a GM, including 15 seasons (1982-97) with the Washington Capitals before he was hired by Nashville, where he completed his 24th season.

"No one has done more over the last 26 years … to build Nashville into a destination hockey city than David Poile," Bettman said.

The Commissioner introduced two of the best players in Nashville history, current defenseman Roman Josi and former goalie Pekka Rinne, who walked onstage and Video: Bridgestone Arena transforms from NHL Awards to Draft, symbolic of Music City.

"I just want to say thank you for everything you've done for the NHL, and especially for Nashville," Josi said. "You're the reason this place is called Smashville."

Members of organization after another saluted Poile, including Philadelphia Flyers president of hockey operations Keith Jones, who has a special connection to him.

"He was my GM with the Washington Capitals, drafted me in 1988 in the seventh round," Jones said with a smile. "He got a lot better after that pick."

The crowd began chanting "Let's go Predators" in anticipation of the team making its first selection of the night. The Predators would make two picks in the first round, choosing right wing Matthew Wood from the University of Connecticut at No. 15 and defenseman Tanner Molendyk of Saskatoon in the Western Hockey League at No. 24.

Molendyk, 18, doesn't know much about Nashville yet. But like most of those here, he's been enjoying a week full of hockey and more.

"This place is awesome," Molendyk said. "Just walking around, seeing all the people singing and all the people screaming every night. I don't know. It seems like a lot of fun here."