Olympic star Eeli Tolvanen makes deadline easier for Predators
The Nashville Predators are trade deadline buyers, but Olympic star Eeli Tolvanen could make a deal unnecessary.
Despite being far more highly regarded, Eeli Tolvanen fell to the Nashville Predators with the 30th overall pick in last June’s draft. The 18-year old just got finished a nice run in the Olympics for Finland, with nine points in five games, and he’ll go back to finish his season with Jokerit in the KHL.
But once his KHL season is finished, Tolvanen may be headed to the NHL. According to Craig Custance of The Athletic, via assistant general manager Paul Fenton, the Predators plan to take advantage of an out clause once Tolvanen finishes his KHL season.
"We’ll have a contract in place to be able to execute and have him come over here,” Fenton said. “That’s the plan. Funnier things have happened. I don’t want to say 100 percent. I never do that in our business. Yes, our plan is to have him."
Tolvanen has been brought up as the kind of top prospect the Predators could ship out in a trade before the deadline, with the New York Rangers’ Rick Nash as a rumored target. But Tolvanen has produced well in the KHL this season, with 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists) in 47 games. His performance in the Olympics has put him in some greater limelight, and in some very select company.
Canada eliminates Finland. Eeli Tolvanen (NSH) finishes with nine points in five games. Tied for second best total points by a U19 player ever at the Olympics. Two points behind Lindros who played in three more games in 1992.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) February 21, 2018
The KHL postseason concludes in April, so Tolvanen could arrive with the Predators to play some regular season games before a playoff run. How well an 18-year old will hold up in the NHL postseason after playing a full KHL season and in the Olympics is a question. But the Predators could take advantage of Tolvanen’s offensive skills in a narrower role, focused on the power play.
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The defending Western Conference champions currently lead the Central Division and hold the second seed if the playoffs started today. But in what’s looking to be a tight race for the top spots in the West, the Predators could stand pat in the next handful of days and still eventually get a difference maker in Tolvanen.