The Nashville Predators are aiming for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft lottery, entering the lottery in the No. 10 spot. They hope for a lucky draw to secure their first-ever top pick.
Key points
Nashville Predators aim for No. 1 overall pick
Entering 2026 NHL Draft lottery in No. 10 spot
Can move up to top pick after the draw
No date set for the draft lottery
Predators have never had No. 1 overall pick
Nashville PredatorsNHL Draft
Can Nashville Predators win the No. 1 overall pick? NHL draft lottery odds set
For the second straight season, the Nashville Predators will not participate in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Instead, their attention turns to the 2026 NHL Draft lottery, hoping that a stroke of good luck can deliver them their first ever No. 1 overall draft pick. The Predators will enter the draft lottery in the No. 10 spot, but can move up as high as the top pick after the draw.
The NHL has not set a date for the draft lottery, but here's where the Predators stand when the draw takes place.
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Q&A
What are the Nashville Predators' odds of winning the No. 1 overall pick?
The Nashville Predators will enter the 2026 NHL Draft lottery in the No. 10 spot, with the potential to move up to the top pick.
When is the 2026 NHL Draft lottery scheduled?
The NHL has not yet set a date for the 2026 Draft lottery.
Has the Nashville Predators ever had the No. 1 overall draft pick?
No, the Nashville Predators have never secured the No. 1 overall draft pick in their history.
Why are the Nashville Predators not participating in the Stanley Cup playoffs?
The Nashville Predators will not participate in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second consecutive season.
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A shot from Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg lands in the net for a goal past Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso (33) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn (17) works the puck past Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly (90) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) and goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defend against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators right wing Cole O'Hara (19) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators right wing Joakim Kemell (25) battles Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tristan Luneau (67_during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
A shot from Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier lands in the net past Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) for a goal during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators with center Ryan Poehling (25) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso (33) defends against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators defenseman Kevin Gravel (5) and goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defend against Anaheim Ducks left wing Jeffrey Viel (28) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
A catfish is removed from the ice before a game between the Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Nashville Predators right wing Cole O'Hara (19) skates before his first NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
1 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
1 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
2 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
3 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
A shot from Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg lands in the net for a goal past Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso (33) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
4 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Anaheim Ducks left wing Alex Killorn (17) works the puck past Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly (90) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
5 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) and goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defend against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
6 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators right wing Cole O'Hara (19) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
7 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators right wing Joakim Kemell (25) battles Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tristan Luneau (67_during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
8 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
9 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators center Tyson Jost (17) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
10 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
A shot from Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier lands in the net past Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) for a goal during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
11 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators with center Ryan Poehling (25) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
12 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ville Husso (33) defends against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
13 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators defenseman Kevin Gravel (5) and goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defend against Anaheim Ducks left wing Jeffrey Viel (28) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
14 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
A catfish is removed from the ice before a game between the Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
15 / 15
Predators play Ducks to wrap up 2026 NHL regular season
Nashville Predators right wing Cole O'Hara (19) skates before his first NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 16, 2026.
According to Tankathon, the Predators have a 3.5% chance of winning the No. 1 overall pick. These odds are based on last year's results as the NHL has yet to release official odds for the 2026 NHL Draft.
The lottery rules dictate that teams can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the lottery. This means that only teams in positions No. 1 through No. 11 can win the top pick. Teams in spots No. 12 through No. 16 can still win the lottery, but only move up 10 spots from their position.
How far could the Predators move up in the draft lottery?
The Predators can move up as high as No. 1 or No. 2 overall in the draft lottery. The lottery has two draws, one for No. 1 and one for No. 2, and Nashville will be in the running for both.
Unfortunately, Nashville could also move down in draft position. If one of the teams behind them in the order (positions No. 11 through No. 16) wins either draw, the Predators would move down a slot.
Here's the possible draft positions for Nashville this year, along with their percentage chance according to Tankathon:
No. 1 (3.5% chance)
No. 2 (3.7% chance)
No. 10 (73.3% chance)
No. 11 (18.4% chance)
No. 12 (0.9% chance)
Last year, the Predators entered the draft lottery in the No. 3 position, but dropped to No. 5 after two teams behind them (the New York Islanders and Utah Mammoth) moved up in the lottery. With their pick, they selected forward Brady Martin, who played three games for the Predators before going back to the OHL for the season.
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex atjdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
