An influx of youth has been occurring for the Nashville Predators recently, and Fedor Svechkov might be next up in 2023-24.
There’s been so much talk surrounding the youth of the Nashville Predators organization over the last couple of years, and it all came to the forefront in 2022-23 as the team rallied around young talent to come up just short of a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It’s easy to forget who might be next in their ascension through the Nashville Predators prospect system, and one you shouldn’t forget is Svechov. A 2021 first-round pick by Nashville who has an exceptional two-way element to his game.
Svechkov just recently got his NHL entry level contract from the Nashville Predators, signed for three years. A transaction you can’t ever take for granted, especially when dealing with overseas leagues and the ongoing complications from the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Next season we will almost certainly get more of the same of a heavy dose of younger players as the Nashville Predators shift towards an era that blends in raw talent while still retaining some core veterans.
Svechkov is the Next Great Prospect Coming Down the Nashville Predators Pipeline
We just saw a season of so many NHL debuts and young players growing up fast. Luke Evangelista stood out the most, but Juuso Parssinen also made the transition to the NHL look seamless, while Cody Glass, Philip Tomasino and Tommy Novak settled in more.
Egor Afanasyev also made his NHL debut, as did defensemen Jake Livingstone and Spencer Stastney. The pipeline was stretched thin, and now we have to see who will return to the AHL for the start of 2023-24, and who is here to stay in Nashville.
And of course we got the highly-anticipated NHL debut of Yaroslav Askarov, even if for only one game.
Svechkov is the type of player that fits the Nashville Predators system to a tee. Strong defensive traits and hockey instincts. According to Dobber Prospects, Svechkov has a 9.0 out of 10 on their scale of NHL certainty.
So what’s next in Svechkov’s journey to the NHL? Well, he’s been bouncing around the KHL and VHL over in Russia this past season, posting four points in 27 games for Spartak Moskva of the KHL, and seven points in 14 games in the VHL.
Svechkov is also seeing playoff minutes in the VHL, and has five goals in those nine playoff games.
But what really draws so much positive attention towards Svechkov is his defensive element of his game. Something that should translate well to the NHL, whether or not he becomes a prolific offensive playmaker.
Watch Svechkov create offense for his teammate to tally the beautiful primary assist and easy goal, courtesy of Hockey News Hub:
https://twitter.com/HockeyNewsHub/status/1613959826261803017?s=20
Obviously the expectation is that Svechkov continues to grow his offensive game because eventually the Predators would like to have themselves another top-six forward coming down the pipeline.
But at worst case, I can see Svechkov becoming a vital bottom-six defensive minded centerman a few years down the road. Think Colton Sissons, with hopefully a higher ceiling of offensive production.
The trajectory for Svechkov appears to be heading towards a full season with the Milwaukee Admirals in 2023-24. Unless something unforeseen happens, I don’t see the Predators being as aggressive at calling players up to regular roles on the NHL level in 2023-24.
Patience is key here for Svechkov. He needs time to adapt to the North American game. Playing under Milwaukee Admirals Head Coach Karl Taylor would be extremely beneficial for the 20-year-old who has a ton of NHL upside.
If Svechkov puts it all together quickly in the AHL then realistically we may see him make his NHL debut towards the end of 2023-24. That’s if the Predators are way out of the playoff race and more trades happen to their forward group.
One thing is clear; Svechkov is a very exciting prospect coming down the pipeline and seeing him get his entry level deal is awesome. Now we wait and see how quickly he transitions.
Svechkov was part of the 2021 Nashville Predators draft class that also included Zachary L’Heureux. Evangelista and Askarov are the only player to make their NHL debut over the last three draft classes. I can see Svechkov being the next.