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Nashville Predators: An Overview of the 2017 Entry Draft

By Jake Evans

June 23, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Eeli Tolvanen poses for photos after being selected as the number thirty overall pick to the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
June 23, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Eeli Tolvanen poses for photos after being selected as the number thirty overall pick to the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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First round, 30th overall

A-. . Left Wing. Sioux City Musketeers. EELI TOLVANEN

With the 30th overall pick in the 1st round, GM David Poile chose LW Eeli Tolvanen. NHL Central Scouting listed him as the 8th best North American skater. The 18-year-old Finnish winger has spent the last two seasons in the USHL playing for the Sioux City Musketeers. In his time in the USHL, Tolvanen showed scouts and fans just how deadly he is on offense, with 92 combined points in 101 games. Tolvanen is the total package for an offensive forward. He is essentially a point-per-game player, he has a laser shot, deadly accuracy, and finds ways to get open.  The only downside to Tolvanen is his size, as he is only 5 foot 10 inches, 185 pounds.

One of the best aspects of his game, as mentioned earlier, is his shot. This past year in the USHL, he generated the most shots per game of any forward with 4.73. One of the best ways to generate offense is to throw the puck at the net and go from there. That being said,  Eeli’s 5 shots per game, will surely produce great offense for the Predators. When asked about playing in Nashville, Tolvanen said, “That would be unreal to play there”. Tolvanen seemed to be a steal at #30, and he loves the organization already, so what more can a team and fans ask for?

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