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Nashville Predators: 2021-22 Fantasy Hockey “Pred”ictions-Part 3

By Max Ritz

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 13: Alexandre Carrier #45 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Amalie Arena on March 13, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 13: Alexandre Carrier #45 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Amalie Arena on March 13, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Philip Tomasino
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Philip Tomasino (C/W)

2020/2021 Totals: 13 Goals, 19 Assists, 32 Points in 29 Games Played (Chicago Wolves, AHL)

If you’re familiar with the name Philip Tomasino by now, GOOD! This kid has all the makings of being a bonafide stud for many years to come for the Nashville Predators in an area of desperate need; that area, high-end skill, and consistent goal-scoring ability.

The Predators have done a good job in recent drafts at stocking the cupboards with some high upside, offensive-minded difference-makers to compliment their always plentiful and productive defensive shelf of the prospect cupboard.

Tomasino leads the name of headliners since Eeli Tolvanen has graduated from prospect to everyday player.

When it comes to Tomasino, look for him to be every bit as advertised and cracking this Nashville Predators lineup for opening night. He has proved the ability to compete with a point per game pace in the AHL in his first professional season, and the last time he was in Junior hockey all he did was 4th in league scoring with 100 points and 9th in goals with 40.

Not to mention nearly a point per game pace with the Canadian World Junior team contributing six points in seven games. The kid is talented and there is no place left for his development to go other than to see what he has in the NHL.

For fantasy’s sake, we could be seeing a dark-horse Calder Trophy candidate type season from Tomasino given the field of competitors and a renewed commitment to the youth of this organization in terms of opportunity provided and desire to gain experience during a period of aggressive retooling.

While the Calder Trophy chatter has been speculated across various publications, I would like to be a voice of conservative expectations that still point to a great rookie season for Tomasino and lead to impactful development both on and off the scoresheet that will lead to sustainable results throughout the entire course of his Predators career.

If you are in a draft that puts any emphasis on drafting rookie spots or “keeper” leagues that allow you to protect long-term talent, Tomasino possesses all the upside you could want from a 20-year-old.

Knowing the Predators philosophy of patience when bringing top-end prospects along in the organization, we will see Tomasino in a variety of aspects.

A top-nine role? Possibly (likely as a winger to begin his career) alongside the newly acquired Cody Glass.

Second unit powerplay time, undoubtedly, and seeing him in favorable matchups against other team’s bottom-six forwards could result in a strong rookie season for the Predator’s most offensively touted prospect since the likes of the aforementioned Tolvanen.

The time we have all awaited is coming Predators fans, offensively talented pieces are making their way onto this team via the draft and Tomasino figures to be one of the first of hopefully many as this team reshapes their identity.

2021/2022 Prediction: 12 Goals, 18 Assists, 30 Points in 65 Games Played

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