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

We are less than a week from official Nashville Predators preseason hockey. Wow, that feels amazing to say.

In case the prospect showcase wasn’t enough of an “appeteaser” (Yes, it’s a word I think…) for you, don’t worry Preds fans, the long wait is almost over to see the vast makeover that has occurred this offseason.

Let’s get into some fantasy value for the youngest Nashville Predators players looking to make an impact both on the ice, and on your fantasy rosters this coming season.

Time to kick off Part Three of this series of “Pred”ictions with the highly-hyped, ultra-talented, Philip Tomasino.

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

David Farrance (D)

2020/2021 Totals: 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 Points in 2 Games Played

Don’t let the totals paint the picture of what David Farrance is expected to bring to this team. All you have to do is look at what the Hobey Baker Award finalist put together at Boston University to predict the time of impact Farrance can have at the NHL level, and this season will be a coming-out party of sorts for him as he glides his way through development and rookie camps en route to his true test of Predators main camp and earning a regular spot on the Preds top three defensive pairings.

By every indication, the 22-year-old Farrance has it all: Hockey IQ both offensively and defensively, a great first pass out of his own zone, and the ability to become a leader as the Predators continue the youth movement.

In a perfect world, Farrance would start the year alongside fellow former Boston University Captain and highly talented defenseman in his own right, Dante Fabbro.

However, this may be a pairing that comes to fruition should the Predators season go awry and there is “meaningless”, sorry wrong word, “developmental” hockey to be played in the final 20-25 games, but it would make for a great nightly storyline to see these players with such similar development paths patrol the blueline on a single pairing. M

I really like what Farrance could bring to this team as a #No.6/No. 7 defenseman out of camp. It will be tough for him to keep consistency if he finds himself on and off the lineup card,but as we all know, injuries happen and Farrance will be the first man up to earn an opportunity for a nightly spot. As his ice time increases while he continues to adjust to the NHL game, he will make the most of his opportunities.

Farrance is a deep sleeper rookie play as potentially the last defenseman on your squad, so keep expectations within reason for the budding defenseman.

Again, I must reiterate that we are undoubtedly looking at the development of a potential top-four defenseman for the Predators within the next two to three seasons so enjoy this part of the process, just maybe don’t reach too high to pick him this fantasy season.

2021/2022 Prediction: 4 Goals, 9 Assists, 13 Points in 60 Games Played

Cody Glass (C)

2020/2021 Totals: 4 Goals, 6 Assists, 10 Points in 27 Games Played (Vegas Golden Knights)

Stop if you’ve been told, heard, or ever said this before.

“Sometimes it takes time for elite centers to develop in this league.”

In the NHL, there may not be a more true statement and for newly acquired Predators center Cody Glass, this most definitely rings true.

The now 22-year-old, 6th-overall pick from the 2017 NHL Entry Draft has had his ups and downs in his development with the Vegas Golden Knights. An organization that quite frankly doesn’t embody the same organizational values as the Predators of patience when it comes to any part of their organization.

Their success would indicate this works for them as a franchise, but definitely can’t feel good as a developing player with astronomical expectations walking on eggshells daily, whether up with the big club or developing in their system.

Glass is a perfect example of a player who may have desperately needed a change of scenery which he will get with an offensively starved Nashville Predators team. The tools are there, the pedigree as a highly-touted prospect is there, and at 22-years-old, he still has a little runway left to figure it out at the NHL level given he has only played in 66 career games to this point.

Fantasy-wise, look to Glass to be a potential breakout candidate, refreshed and rejuvenated after spending some time injured last season, there is only upside to look for in his game, and could prove to be a late-round steal if he finds his way into the top-six and finds some chemistry with the more established scorers on the team.

Lots of ifs, lots of buts, however, his ceiling could be quite high if you have the guts to select him late in your drafts.

2021/2022 Prediction: 17 Goals, 24 Assists, 41 Points, in 77 Games