Nashville Predators: 2021-22 Fantasy Hockey “Pred”ictions-Part 2
EELI TOLVANEN (RW)
2020/2021 Totals: 11 Goals, 11 Assists, 22 Points in 40 Games Played
My oh my, what a summer it has been from an RFA standpoint for the Nashville Predators.
Considering the youth movement that has been a focal point since the resurgence in the second half of the 2020-21 season, led by Juuse Saros and a myriad of younger pieces in the organization, none more under the microscope than Tolvanen.
Tolvanen is now fresh off inking a three-year, $4.35 Million ($1.45 Million AAV) at the end of August.
The young Finnish forward is going to be greatly counted upon in the Predators top two lines for the production that saw him set a KHL record for rookie scoring back in his draft season in 2017.
As far as fantasy production goes, Tolvanen could be a serious sleeper for managers in later rounds looking for a dynamic young winger with 45-plus point upside.
Regardless of my Predators fandom, I look at Tolvanen as a serious breakout candidate this coming season for multiple reasons and fantasy owners should keep an eye on him as you search for winger depth in the later rounds.
Must Read. Top Players Ready for Breakouts Seasons for Predators. light
Tolvanen boasts a world-class shot. One that Predators fans will remember fondly throughout many of the highlight packs that made up his 11 goals in 40 games.
That lethal shot combined with the amount of ice time Tolvanen will receive both in the top six forward group, and additionally on the power play on the opposite wing of Filip Forsberg on an even younger group than last season has all the makings of leading to a breakout campaign for the now 22-year old.
I expect big things from a fantasy perspective for Tolvanen this season as he looks to solidify himself as a consistent point producer for the Nashville Predators.
2021/2022 Prediction: 24 Goals, 22 Assists, 46 Points in 75 Games Played
RYAN JOHANSEN (C)
2020/2021 Totals: 7 Goals, 15 Assists, 22 Points in 48 Games Played
Alright everyone, hear me out. I am calling it right here and now. This is the season we finally see a resurgence from Ryan Johansen. His playoff performance last year may have been the only bright spot for the now 29-year-old top-line centerman.
“Joey” has proven that as the games mean more, he has the ability to ratchet his game up to another level. With so much turnover in the offseason, the message has been sent by GM David Poile.
If you are an older forward on this Predators team (yes, 29 is now an older age on this Preds roster), you HAVE TO produce, or you are in danger of being moved.
Now, there aren’t many teams who will be willing to take on the sizable commitment in terms of term and dollars left on the eight-year, $64 million deal Johansen signed in 2017, but if Poile has proven anything it’s that he will find a way to get out from under Johansen’s deal by any means necessary if he continues down the path the last couple seasons have gone.
I am maybe one of the very few in the camp that believes Johansen is still more than capable of living up to his deal. It has been a tough couple of seasons for Johansen’s offensive production and there simply is no other way to trend than upward.
For fantasy purposes, he has established himself as a depth center option for managers in the back third of your drafts that go 12 to 15 rounds.
It goes without saying that Johansen should benefit from a change of scenery in terms of linemates as there will undoubtedly be a new presence on his right-wing after the departure of Viktor Arvidsson.
Be it the aforementioned Tolvanen, or pairing him with a loaded up top line that was featured in the back half of the Predator’s first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes featuring Filip Forsberg, himself, and Matt Duchene (this could be all kinds of interesting from a fantasy perspective for all three players should that line materialize into a long term situation).
Look for a rejuvenated Johansen to return to form in 2021-22, and for fantasy owners, he could be a re-emergence candidate that could add some serious value further down your lineups at the center ice position.
2021/2022 Prediction: 15 Goals, 33 Assists, 48 Points in 76 Games Played
DAVID RITTICH (G)
2020/2021 Totals: 19 Games Played, 5 Wins, 8 Losses, 2 Overtime Losses, 1 Shutout (CGY+TOR)
We’re going to keep this one short and sweet for the new backup goaltender in Smashville.
For fantasy purposes “Big Save Dave” might only be good for just a few of those, David Rittich certainly won’t be providing much value as Juuse Saros projects to be one of the heaviest utilized goaltenders in the entire NHL.
Rittich will benefit in the action he gets from having a strong defensive core in front of him that should lead to some tolerable results from the fan base’s expectations, however, as far as fantasy goes, unless you are in a 15-team league that carries three goalies per squad, Rittich may only become valuable if and only if…. nope don’t even wanna write it for fear of the worst.
Basically, unless you are getting to goalies 35 to 45 deep in your drafts, you won’t be seeing Rittich unless it’s on the waiver wire.
2021/2022 Prediction: 23 Games Played, 9 Wins, 7 Losses, 3 Overtime Losses, 1 Shutout
Predators Fantasy Hockey Projections: Forsberg, Jeannot, Ekholm. light. More
As Nashville Predators rookie camp gets underway, we are less than a month from the start of the regular season, check back as we will have everyone covered just before the season begins with more Predators fantasy projections.