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Nashville Predators add scoring prowess in prospect Eeli Tolvanen

By Joel Dorcas

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 27: The Nashville Predators celebrate a 2-1 shootout win against the Minnesota Wild during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on March 27, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 27: The Nashville Predators celebrate a 2-1 shootout win against the Minnesota Wild during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on March 27, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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As of this morning, the Nashville Predators have signed 2017 first-round pick Eeli Tolvanen ahead of their playoff push.

Nashville Predators general manager David Poile announced on Thursday that the team has signed top prospect Eeli Tolvanen to an entry-level contract ahead of the playoffs:

This is a very interesting move by the Predators. They are truly one of the teams that has a viable shot at Lord Stanley’s Cup this season.

What does it take to win it all? Complete teams need a deep group of not only forwards, but defenseman and two reliable goaltenders.

Let’s take a look at the Predators’ roster. This is how their line combinations look before the addition of Tolvanen.

This is a truly impressive group. There really isn’t much missing for a long and prosperous run through the playoffs. The goaltending group of Pekke Renne and Juuse Saros is top-notch and perhaps the best in the league. Renne is regarded as one of the best goalies in the game, and now Saros will be a great insurance policy.

Most impressive about the Predators is their outstanding defensive group. Is any team in the NHL this good? P.K. Subban, Ryan Ellis and Roman Jossi are all all-star talents. They are the leaders of this very talented group, and the talent goes all three units deep. Alexei Emelin brings a physical element that will bode well for playoff hockey.

It will be interesting to see how this will all shake out for this new addition. It never hurts to add depth at any and all positions for playoff hockey. Truly, for a good sustained run, all hands need to be on deck. It comes as a bit of a surprise that management would add another forward into the mix when the Predators already seem to be good to go with what they already have.

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Tolvanen, only 18 years of age, will be looked upon (if he gets into the lineup) to add more scoring to an already talented group. In 51 games in the KHL, he has amassed 21 goals.

The Nashville Predators seem to be destined for yet another deep playoff run, and this signing can only help their chances.

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