3. Zachary L'Heureux- A fulltime NHL player now?
It's hard to imagine Zachary L'Heureux getting sent back to the Milwaukee Admirals this season. He is waivers exempt, but he has proven he is a NHL-ready impact forward who is only going to get better with more playing time. You just hope the organization doesn't give up on him if he hits a slump like they've done with other young forwards.
L'Heureux's offense is gradually coming along, but really it's his two-way game that is impressing me. He isn't a liability defensively, he isn't timid in his physical approach and he has played relatively smart with only 12 penalty minutes in 27 games. His offense will continue to come along and I wouldn't be surprised at all if he starts putting up points consistently as the season progresses.
Similar to Wilsby on the defensive end, we knew that L'Heureux was a budding star prospect that was about to get his NHL opportunity. It wasn't a surprise that he got the call-up, but it is a pleasant surprise that he has stuck around for good.
L'Heureux could've shown he wasn't ready for regular NHL duty and been sent back down the minors for more development. The opposite has happened and it gives the Predators a lot of hope that they have an impact forward for the future from their former 27th-overall pick from 2021.
Let's not forget that there was some really paranoia that L'Heureux's disciplinary issues within the game was going to hold him back from the NHL level. He has quelled those fears and plays a balanced game of tenacity and swagger. And he's only 21-years-old.