As the Nashville Predators continue to build for a competitive future, a closer look at their defensive pipeline reveals some underrated and promising talent. This article discusses the profiles of their top defensive prospects, assessing their current abilities and predicting their potential roles within the team's future.
Tanner Molendyk
Tanner Molendyk's unique skating ability is what sets him apart from many defensive prospects in the NHL. His quickness and speed make him a nightmare for opponents to defend in the offensive zone, and he moves as a fourth forward on the ice. He has the ability to play effectively on all four sides, defensively and offensively, and is very good at using his outstanding mobility to disrupt plays and turn the puck up the ice. Despite the injury that affected him after the game, Molendyk came back strong and returned to the top level of junior play this season.
His improved offensive instincts, along with his improved ability to lead rushes and create scoring opportunities from the blue line, all play a role in his performance this season for the Saskatoon Blades in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was third in the WHL in points per game this season among U20 defensemen, a 1.12 average, and was third among U20 defensemen in plus/minus, finishing the season with a plus-40 rating. While there are areas for improvement with his defensive fundamentals and consistency, his smooth skating and hockey IQ set him up well to make his professional debut next season and perhaps his NHL debut sooner than many expected.
Jeremy Hanzel
Jeremy Hanzel is a promising two-way defenseman with scoring ability. He is a versatile and dynamic defender, often using fakes and pins to create space and opportunities for himself on offense. Hanzel's performance in the WHL underscores his ability to have a positive impact on both offense and defense. He led the Seattle Thunderbirds in points this season with 60 and the entire WHL in plus/minus last season with a plus-70 rating.
His vision and hockey IQ allow him to scan the ice effectively, make smart, accurate passes, and drive plays down the ice. While he needs to build on his physicality and defensive prowess, Hanzel's offensive skills and ability to perform in high-pressure situations show that he has the potential to be a powerful offensive player on the blue line if he can improve.
Ryan Ufko
Ryan Ufko may not have the best defensive profile for some, but his style of play and intelligence on the ice more than make up for it. At 5-foot-10, Ufko uses his intelligence to make quick, effective decisions, push play forward and handle the puck effectively.
His tenure at UMass Amherst (NCAA) demonstrated his ability to consistently perform at the highest level. He was awarded the Hockey East Len Ceglarski Sportsmanship Award, one Hockey East Defender of the Week award, one Hockey East Player of the Week award, and was named a Hockey East First-Team All-Star.
Ufko was also named one of the finalists for the Hockey East Player of the Year Award, along with his head coach, Greg Carvel, he said that he was the best player the program has had since Cale Makar. His vision and anticipation on the defensive end allows him to read plays and adjust his positioning to direct the play, making him a reliable force on both ends of the ice.
After UMass fell to the University of Denver 2-1 in double overtime in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Ufko signed his rookie contract with the Predators, immediately joined the Milwaukee Admirals, and made his professional debut. In nine games since then, he has posted six points (one goal, five assists) and is looking to make the Calder Cup Playoffs starting lineup. Ufko's progression and style of play means he can seamlessly slide into a third-pairing role in the NHL, with the opportunity to grow into a better position in the not-too-distant future.
Semyon Chistyakov
Semyon Chistyakov has a strong, two-way game and has excellent puck distribution and effective zone defense. Despite lacking dynamic mobility, he has the ability to plan plays and uses his strong board game and outlet passing to impact the game. His physicality, quick skating, and solid shooting from there make him a versatile player who can contribute to a variety of situations and roles.
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Chistyakov had an excellent season with Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), ranking third in points among U23 defensemen and third in plus/minus overall among U23 defensemen with a plus-15 rating this season. Looking ahead, I expect him to make the transition to the North American leagues within the next two seasons, where his skills could see him evolve into a two-way NHL defenseman.
Spencer Stastney
Spencer Stastney has already pitched in his first game for the Predators this season, even getting two starts in the playoffs before getting hurt. A product of the University of Notre Dame, he has made a smooth transition to professional hockey and improved every year in the American Hockey League (AHL) so far, ending up being named an AHL All-Star this season along with Predators top scorer Yaroslav. Askarov.
He has a high hockey IQ, which enables him to read the game effectively, anticipate the development of plays, and position himself correctly in the defensive position. Stastney's outstanding catch and movement also allows him to contribute offensively. As he develops, his combination of intelligence and skill makes him a solid addition to the NHL's second or third pairing.
The Future of Predators in Defense
As the Predators look to the future, their defensive prospects, while not yet household names, are a solid team poised to rise quickly. With the current defensive core of Roman Josi, Luke Schenn, and Ryan McDonagh aging — each now over 33 — the Predators will soon need to rely on these emerging talents to fill the roles of their veterans.
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