Risers and Fallers in Nashville Predators Stock Report Heading into 2023

Nashville Predators forward Juuso Parssinen (75) skates against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Nashville Predators forward Juuso Parssinen (75) skates against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
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Tommy Novak
Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Climbing Fast ⇑

You better jump on this stock now while it’s still affordable. Tommy Novak’s stock is on a rocket. He’s been called up for only five games since missing nearly a full calendar year from the NHL.

Novak has two goals and two assists in those five games and has made a noticeable difference in the Predators’ offensive structure. He led the Predators in shots on goal in the 6-1 win over the Ducks on Friday.

This is making the Eeli Tolvanen loss much easier to handle. If Novak can fill that void that Tolvanen left behind, maybe we can all move on from the mishandling of that entire situation by the front office.

Novak should be in the NHL to stay for the duration of the season and should also be a key piece for the long term future if a rebuild does occur in the coming year or two. He will be a RFA and arbitration eligible in 2023-24.

I’m loving everything I’m seeing from Novak. Yes, he’s going to make some youthful mistakes, including some offensive zone turnovers. He’ll learn from those mistakes, and the good is far outweighing the bad with him currently.