Eeli Tolvanen, a young forward for the Nashville Predators, has reportedly been placed on waivers. This move comes as a surprise to many, as Tolvanen was considered a promising prospect with a bright future in the NHL.
Tolvanen, who is just 23 years old, was selected by the Predators in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut during the 2018-19 season and scored his first goal in just his second game. He played for the Predators in 135 games in all, contributing 26 assists and 25 goals.
However, Tolvanen struggled to find a consistent role with the Predators overall. He spent most of the 2019-20 season with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, where he had a strong showing with 21 goals and 36 points in 63 games. He has been called up to the Predators for a handful of games throughout the years, but was unable to make a significant impact at the NHL level. He was given 75 games in the 2021-2022 season, but he only managed 23 points and was a -7.
The decision to place Tolvanen on waivers indicates that the Predators no longer view him as a part of their long-term plans. If he goes unclaimed, the team will have the option to assign him to the AHL or potentially trade him to another team.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Tolvanen, but this move is a clear setback in his young career. He will need to work hard and prove himself in the AHL or elsewhere in order to get another chance in the NHL.
UPDATE: He has been CLAIMED by the Seattle Kraken
