Eeli Tolvanen

Tolvanen's 11 goals and 23 points a season ago were virtually identical numbers to what we saw from him a year prior. The problem is that two years ago he appeared in 40 games in the pandemic-shortened season, while this past year he dressed in 75 games. In other words, Tolvanen didn't play very well. He managed to chip in six power-play points and a shocking 176 hits, but the 23-year-old is a noted sniper who provides limited value -- to both the Predators and fantasy managers -- if he isn't putting the puck in the net. Tolvanen is nothing more than a late-round, bet-on-talent dart throw this fall.

The Predators displayed no real interest in using Tolvanen properly (or at all) over the past few seasons, making his 2020-21 mini breakout all the more surprising. Tolvanen finished the year with 11 goals and 11 assists in 44 games, with six of each of the markers and apples coming with the man advantage. Tolvanen's 16.9 shooting percentage is going to regress, but the young Finn has an absolute cannon and an increased role at even strength should help mitigate that number. Tolvanen is still a better keeper/dynasty pick than a redraft option, but he could easily carve out deep league value in 2021-22.

Tolvanen spent all of 2019-20 with AHL Milwaukee, racking up 21 goals and 15 helpers in 63 outings. He started 2020-21 on loan with Jokerit Helsinki of the KHL, where he had 13 points in 25 contests. The first-round pick from 2017 seems pretty close to NHL readiness, but Tolvanen will need to compete with Nick Cousins and Colton Sissons for a job in the Predators' bottom six. If Tolvanen can stick at the NHL level, look for him to push for the 20-point mark, but if he's not a clear-cut option for the parent club, the Predators may opt to give him another year in the minors to develop.

Tolvanen picked up 15 goals and 35 points in 58 games in his first full AHL campaign last year. The 2017 first-round pick will likely spend another full season in the minors, though, as the Predators have a ton of depth up front heading into the 2019-20 campaign. Tolvanen could earn a call-up or two this season, but he won't be worth a draft pick outside keeper/dynasty formats this year. That said, if he lights up the AHL this campaign, he'll be a name to keep an eye on heading into 2020-21.

Tolvanen is considered one of the top prospects currently playing outside the NHL. The Predators took him in the first round of the 2017 Entry Draft (30th overall), and made headlines in March when they signed him to the same kind of fully-loaded, entry-level contract usually reserved for the likes of Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews. In 2017-18, the prospect had a record-setting rookie season in the KHL, scoring 19 goals and 36 points - both totals being the highest by an under-19 player in league history. So, needless to say, he's coming into the organization with considerable hype. At this point, it's safe to assume he will be an impact player in the NHL - the only question is, how soon? It's already been decided that Tolvanen will start the new season in the minors, but he might only be one injury away from the big stage. Tolvanen should fly under the radar in most deeper fantasy formats, so keep him on your draft lists and be ready to snap him up in the later rounds.