Predators Sign Eeli Tolvanen To Three-Year Contract

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Eeli Tolvanen. Photo: Courtesy of the Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators continue to re-sign their key players this offseason, Eeli Tolvanen being the latest as he signed a three-year $4.35 million contract on Monday (Aug. 30.) Tolvanen, 22-years-old, posted 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 40 games for the Predators in 2020-21, his first full NHL season. His 11 goals were the fourth-most on the Predators and were the most scored by a Predators rookie since Filip Forsberg netted 26 in 2014-15.

The forward also challenged two rookie franchise records this past season. His six power-play goals were tied for the second-most and his six-game point streak (3 goals, 6 assists) from March 21-30 was tied for the second-longest. Among NHL rookies, Tolvanen was tied for first in game-winning goals (4); tied for second in power-play goals; third in power-play points (12); 10th in goals; and 12th in points (22), helping him earn votes for the Calder Trophy.

Originally drafted by the Predators in the first round (30th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft, Tolvanen has played in 47 career NHL contests, seven of which came prior to the 2020-21 campaign. After playing in his first NHL game at 18 years, 343 days–the fifth-youngest player to debut with the Predators–on March 31, 2018 vs. Buffalo, Tolvanen then appeared in two more games in 2017-18 and four in 2018-19, where he recorded his first two career NHL points (1 goal, 1 assist) on Dec. 1, 2018 vs. Chicago. He is also a veteran of 121 career AHL contests, all coming with the Milwaukee Admirals from 2018-20, tallying 36 goals and 71 points.

Before signing with the Predators on March 29, 2018, Tolvanen played for Jokerit of the KHL, posting 36 points (19goals, 17 assists) in 49 games during the 2017-18 campaign and establishing league records for goals and assists in a season by a teenager

Steven Boero
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