Predators sign Viggo Gustafsson to three-year, entry-level contract
A promising young blueliner has inked his first NHL contract.
On Wednesday, Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz announced that the team has signed defenseman Viggo Gustafsson to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Signed, sealed, delivered ✍️ We’ve signed defenseman Viggo Gustafsson to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning in the 2026-27 season.
The deal is set to begin with the 2026-27 season.
Gustafsson was taken by the Predators in the third round, 77th overall, of the 2024 NHL Draft. He gained attention on draft boards for his ability to be an exceptional defender in his own zone. While he might not light up the scoreboard, Gustafsson is very reliable, using his size to his advantage around the front of the net and in the corners.
Gustafsson jumped onto NHL teams’ radars in his years of international competition. Along with playing for Tre Kronor at the 2022 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge and the 2023 World Junior A Challenge, he helped Sweden win bronze at the 2024 IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship. After making his debut at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, Gustafsson helped his country end a 13-year drought, winning gold at the World Juniors this past January, the team’s first championship since 2012.
The 19-year-old is in the midst of his best season in pro hockey in his native Sweden. With AIK in HockeyAllsvenskan, the country’s second-tier league, he has posted seven assists. He played a few games on loan to AIK last year, posting 9 points in 18 playoff games, but AIK fell short of promotion to the Swedish Hockey League, losing the final to Djurgårdens IF in five games.
The 2024-25 campaign marked Gustafsson’s first in professional competition, splitting time with HV71 and Timra IK in the SHL. In 22 games, he notched a goal and an assist, with an even plus/minus.