Predators Take Dmitri Borichev in Third Round of the 2026 NHL Draft, Adding a High-Confidence Goaltending Prospect

The Nashville Predators used the No. 70 selection in the third round of the 2026 NHL Draft to add Dmitri Borichev to their goaltending pipeline, choosing the Russian netminder as part of their forward-looking roster planning. The move came on day two of the draft and indicates that Nashville is not only looking at immediate depth, but also at developing a long-term goalie who can fit an instruction-heavy, details-focused style of play.

Borichev, listed at 6-foot-3, was described in the reporting around the selection as a poised prospect with a game centered on control and tracking the puck. The story framing around the pick emphasizes technical structure in his reads and movements, with particular attention to how he handles the flow of play after shots and through traffic. It also highlights a glove hand that can be a difference-maker when plays break down, which is the kind of trait teams often value most as prospects transition from junior and amateur competition to the pace and deception of the NHL.

Nashville’s decision fits a broader draft approach teams use when they believe a prospect has a clear skill identity. In Borichev’s case, the draft-day description points to repeatable foundations, rather than relying on a single standout moment. Puck-tracking and technical control matter because they translate into positioning, rebound management, and decision-making under speed, all of which are tested heavily once a goalie faces higher-quality shot creation.

The third round is often where teams try to balance risk and ceiling. A goalie chosen in that range can be an investment that requires patience, but it is also a report that the organization believes the player’s development path is more than theoretical. For Borichev, the published reporting around the pick places him among the most highly regarded netminder options in Europe entering the draft class, which helps explain why a team willing to wait on a goalie would spend a day-two pick rather than later selections.

What to watch next is how Nashville handles the development timetable after the draft. Goaltending prospects typically progress through a combination of coaching emphasis, workload management, and competitive reps in their next hockey environment. The Predators will likely be evaluating whether Borichev’s technical traits hold up when he is tested by higher shot volumes, stronger screens, and faster shot releases that come with the jump in competition.

Equally important is how Borichev’s skill set maps to the Predators’ system expectations. The reporting around the pick suggests his profile is built for technical execution, which can align well with modern NHL coaching that stresses fundamentals, angle discipline, and consistent reads. If those traits continue to show up as he develops, Nashville could view the selection as a steady long-term answer rather than a short-term patch.