Analyzing the Pick: Tanner Molendyk

With their second pick in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, the Nashville Predators selected Tanner Molendyk, a smooth-skating offensive defenseman from the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Saskatoon Blades.

Molendyk concluded the 2022-23 regular season with the most goals (9) by a Blades defenseman while also ranking second in assists (28) and points (37). Molendyk tied for the most goals by a defenseman in the 2023 WHL Playoffs (3) as well as the second-most assists (tied, 5) and points (8) by a blueliner.

The following is NHL Central Scouting's report on Molendyk:

"Very skilled skater, not only with speed carrying or joining the rush but also with excellent agility and mobility. His skating makes him effective when eluding the opposition in all areas of the ice and also helps him to set up scoring chances. Displays confidence, along with patience, when making decisions. Shows a good transition game. Will stand up in all areas with good open ice hits, playing bigger than his size. His point total isn't reflective of his offensive instincts - he is a threat creating offensive chances. The defensive side to his game is solid and he is a go-to contributor on the penalty kill."

Together with Preds No. 15 overall pick and fellow B.C. native Matthew Wood, Molendyk won gold at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup after recording a goal and three assists in five games, good for the third-most points and assists by a Team Canada defenseman at the tournament.

Molendyk is considered an undersized blueliner, measuring in at 5-foot-11 and 181 pounds; but what he lacks in size, he makes up for in skating ability. His speed and agility are practically unmatched among his fellow defenseman in the 2023 Draft class. He is strong in transition with an accurate shot, making him a capable two-way defender.

"[I can add] a lot of speed and a lot of transition," Molendyk said. "I think I transition in the pocket really good… I feel like I've got really good edges and really good speed. I think that's something that I would be able to bring to the organization."

While Molendyk's point total this season was lower than one might expect from an offensive-minded defenseman, he is skilled at creating scoring opportunities and confident that he has more to contribute.

"I think it's just cracking on offensive skill," Molendyk said. "I had 40 points or whatever it was, and I think I've got a lot more in me."

Molendyk is eager to showcase his talent at the next level, and the magnitude of the opportunity is not lost on him.

"I don't even have words, to be honest," Molendyk said. "I think I'm just pretty excited to just go to development camp and see what this is all about."