The Nashville Predators were happy that Austin Watson was still available when they selected at 18. The Predators were prepared to trade down but couldn't resist taking the 6'3" Watson. He really came into his own offensively with the Peterborough Petes after being traded from eventual Memorial Cup Champion Windsor Spitfires, collecting 20 points in his last ten games. "We're trying to get a little bit bigger and we certainly like that type of player," GM David Poile said. "One of the players he has been compared to is Ryan Kesler of Vancouver. If he gets anywhere close to that, then we will have had a very good day at the draft." Watson is still a few years away from making an impact with the Predators and will play in the OHL again next season.