The Preds made some trades and some picks today. Toward the end of the draft it seemed as if they just didn’t like a lot of the available options, swapping multiple picks for same-round picks next season.
During the first round yesterday, they made three picks (and a trade): center Brady Martin at 5th, defender Cameron Reid at 21st, and forward Ryker Lee at 26th. Here are today’s additions:
Jacob Rombach | Defender | Pick #35, 2nd Round
6’6″ defender Jacob Rombach spent the last two seasons with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. This past season he had 18 points (3G/15A) and 57 PIM in 57 games, but was also chosen to represent the US at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Scouting opinions generally had Rombach a little later than #35th, but he’s described as a strong defensive defender with a high hockey IQ and the skill to make moves that will help his team out of trouble. He is a strong physical presence and plays with a style enthusiastically described by the broadcast crew on NHL network as “mean.”
Jack Ivankovic | Goaltender | Pick #58, 2nd Round
Jack Ivankovic is another smaller, smart goalie — apparently, GM Barry Trotz is hoping that what works for Juuse Saros will keep working for the Preds.
He spent the last two years with the Steelheads of the OHL following them with their city move in 2024. As a starter in the 2024-25 season, he put up a .903 sv% and a 3.05 GAA over 43 games, which was pretty decent relative to other goalies in the league. Ivankovic also represented Canada internationally several times, putting up some fairly jawdropping stats in the 2025 WJC for U18s and adding a respectable game with the U20s.
Scouting reports describe him as skilled and persevering, with good judgment and analysis of the gameplay around him.
Alex Huang | Defender | Pick #122, 4th Round
In a completely unsurprising move, the Preds opted to draft another skill-first defender in Alex Huang, who’s spent the last two years racking up assists for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL. He had 8G/28A in 61 games for them in his age-16 season, and 7G/33A in 64 games this past season, while also taking on more defensive responsibilities. Additionally, he appeared for Team Canada at the WJC U18s this past year.
Huang is described as a skilled skater and puckhandler who’s excellent at creating controlled zone entries. He sounds like the kind of defender Nashville loves to draft.
Daniel Nieminen | Defender | Pick #163, 6th Round
Don’t look now — the Preds have drafted another defender.
Daniel Nieminen played most of last season with the Pelicans of the Finnish Liiga, up from their junior teams. He had 11 points (4G/7A) in 39 games, which the NHL Network broadcast points out was fifth-best for U21 defenders in the league.
Scouting reports say he’s a skilled and fast skater who’s solid and reliable in his own end, but also makes his way out of it effectively.
Unless otherwise noted, statistics and scouting reports are from EliteProspects.com.
