Molendyk posted four goals and 23 points across 60 AHL games with Milwaukee – numbers that say more about Nashville’s development philosophy than about what he actually is. The 24th overall pick in 2023 was close enough to cracking the Predators roster this year that the organization’s tendency to extend its best defensive prospects’ minor-league tenure reads as the more notable storyline. His game covers every area of the ice: stick work, positional reliability, and a physical willingness that coaches trust, built on a foundation of skating ability and playmaking instincts that defined his WHL career. He is the most complete defensive prospect in the Nashville system and the quality that drives his game is not size-dependent. A third-pair debut this season is the expectation, with his role expected to grow from there. A dynasty hold heading into a campaign that should finally begin to answer how good he becomes.

Molendyk impressed in Rookie Camp last summer and again in the main camp, nearly making the team. He got into three exhibition games, saw some power-play time and had two blocked shots. He’s not the biggest player, but he’s positionally sound and has very good hockey sense. His poise is already NHL-caliber. At the WJC, he was easily a Top 3 player, though the team admittedly disappointed. Expectations are high for Molendyk, as the Preds see him as potentially replacing Roman Josi as their next stud d-man. In the WHL he was a near-point-per-game player, even after his trade to Medicine Hat. He added 20 points in 18 playoff games. Now eligible for the AHL, the Preds have the option of sending him down for a few games early, but we believe he’ll play at least half of 2025-26 with Nashville. –

Last year’s first round pick took a big step forward for WHL Saskatoon this year, finishing 4th in points per game among defensemen with 56 in 50 games. Molendyk skated a team-leading 25:16 ATOI. He blocks more than 2 shots while taking 2.5 shots on goal per game. At this writing, Saskatoon has advanced to the final four of the WHL playoffs. At present, he is the top defenseman in Nashville’s system. Barry Trotz knows defensemen, and Nashville can be nothing but pleased with Molendyk’s progress in his D+1 year.

Molendyk has been selected 24th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Molendyk is among the most fluid and comfortable skaters in the entire 2023 draft class. He effortlessly covers a tremendous amount of ice, easily gets around forecheckers, and he closes his gaps with great speed, which helps make him a very effective defender against the rush. His skating is a standout skill that Molendyk may be over-reliant on, which works fine in the WHL but could be rendered ineffective in pro hockey. One of the red flags is that he lacks a truly elite top gear, he’s not the fastest player on the ice, and as more and more of his competition can match his speed, he will possibly need to reinvent the way he plays the game.