As expected, Eeli Tolvanen’s time with the Nashville Predators is over (at least for now). The former top prospect has been claimed off waivers by the Seattle Kraken, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Given Seattle’s place in the standings, quite a few teams passed on the chance to take the 23-year-old sniper. Sean Shapiro of EP Rinkside tweets that the Predators’ front office was “pretty confident” that Tolvanen would clear, likely because of the $1.45MM cap hit that Seattle will be taking on in full. Signed to a three-year, $4.35MM deal in 2021, Tolvanen has just two goals and four points this season in 13 games. He hasn’t played since November 19, and even then was seeing limited minutes.
Expansion clubs are often where a player can rejuvenate their career, though, and perhaps the Kraken can do it for Tolvanen, the 30th overall pick in 2017. A rather similar player, Daniel Sprong, had experienced his own rollercoaster ride through waivers and trades before arriving in Seattle, where he seems to have found a home with 15 points in 20 games so far this season.
There is no shortage of skill in Tolvanen, who possesses one of the hardest shots in the league and has scored at every level – including the NHL. In his rookie season, he had 11 goals and 22 points in just 40 games, totals that were only barely matched in his sophomore year.
It is important to remember that several teams could not have claimed Tolvanen because of cap space, and the Philadelphia Flyers didn’t have a contract slot available. Still, it is somewhat surprising that he reached the Kraken, who were 23rd in line.
Kraken are second in the Pacific. Whole lot of teams passed on him.
Passed or couldn’t make the claim if they wanted to do so
Exploding head emoji
I’m glad to have him with the Kraken. I just don’t know where he fits. Kuhlman was not getting ice time. Did they pick him up to sit in the press box? If not, who loses a spot? Seems like Donato or Sprong would need to sit. Hard to understand this move until I see what the next one is.
I would have to disagree. Kraken need all the talent that they can get, and Tolvanen has show before that he can get points. He’s still fairly young as well, so he might not have hit his potential yet. Good pickup by SEA… really surprised the Coyotes didn’t get him.
Doesn’t answer the question of where he fits. As I said, I’m happy to have him. I just wonder who’s ice time he takes.
well… he will be a line 2 winger by the time this is all said and done mark my words he has a very nice shot, and is solid on the defensive side of the puck
23-year-old “sniper” ?? Is that what you call someone who has scored 25 goals in 135 NHL games ?
I mean, that’s his play style. Hard to score a lot of goals when your coach won’t give you top-six minutes despite improvements to your defensive game.
Now that Tolvanen has centers who can make plays, watch him put pucks in the net.
The Preds GM and coach belong on the Gong Show (if you remember that). :D
Something more that meets the eye here..Better not push Sprong out of this line up …if so it is BS….
I think it speaks more to the absolute embarrassment of riches Seattle has regarding wing depth. Sprong should be a T12 forward on 95% of NHL teams… but Tolvanen has better defensive metrics and similar (if not higher) potential.
Sprong has always had the talent, but he’s been a guy who has bounced around a lot. Not sure if the attitude issues are overblown, but it’s good to see him start to find a home after Pittsburgh completely destroyed his development. Spent too much time in coaches doghouses trying to force him to play a role and game that didn’t suit his strengths. Sometimes you just gotta let young shooters go out and do what they do best.
I too have wondered where he’s gonna fit. To my eye Donato and sprong are both playing more usefully than bjorkstrand.. the kraken and I haven’t seen eye to eye on a few things in the past though. Dunno about trying to move someone like bjorkstrand.. plus donskoi is still somewhere
Oh yeah and Shane!
Just came here to say that Matty Beniers is such a good player. I see a left handed Patrice Bergeron.
Love that he wears Ronny’s #10. Another good comp except Beniers is faster, shoots harder, etc.
He’s so good, Wright only has to a 2C to “pan out”.
I’m just disappointed that he’s not wearing Ronny’s #9. Not many players thought the game like he did. One of the best passers I’ve ever seen play. Criminally underrated and I think the Pens win the 1996 cup if he wasn’t injured.