Nashville Predators: Top 10 prospects entering 2018

The Nashville Predators’ Cup window is wide open. With a terrific defensive core and good center depth, the team should be contenders again this season. Here are ten prospects who will help them stay that way into the future.

The Nashville Predators pride themselves on defense. They’ve gathered a good collection of centers as well. That’s also two areas of strength in terms of prospects for the team. The fact that David Poile has gathered a good collection of both centers and defensemen for right now as well as in the future suggests the Predators have a good future ahead of them. The Predators also have several noteworthy wing prospects.

These prospects are ranked on three equal factors: NHL readiness, ceiling, and the likelihood the prospect plays with the Nashville Predators in the near future. The prospects who do the best in each category will be ranked higher, as well as those who do well across the categories. To qualify, prospects must not have played 25 games in the NHL, and must be Calder eligible.

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Let’s start with the goaltender.

1. Miroslav Svoboda [23] (7-208, 2015)

Stats (HC Plzen, Czech): 47 gp, 2.10 GAA, .926 SV% (10 pgp, 2.25 GAA, .910 SV%).

Miroslav Svoboda was one of the finest goaltenders in the Czech League this past season and at 23 will hope to make a successful transition to North America. With a lack of goaltending talent at the AHL level, the Nashville Predators will hope Svoboda can make that transition as well. While there’s no immediate need for a goaltender, Pekka Rinne will eventually retire. While the assumption is that Juuse Saros will take over the starting role, he’ll need a backup, and that’s potentially where Svoboda comes in.

Svoboda was fifth in save percentage and fourth in goals-against average in the regular season. In the playoffs, amongst goaltenders with more than 10 games, Svoboda was last in save percentage and fourth in goals-against average. That’s not good looking, but the fact that Svoboda carried his team a few rounds deep shows that he has potential.

He’ll need to impress with the Milwaukee Admirals, but he should have the opportunity. While Troy Grosenick could start out as the starting goaltender, if Svoboda outperforms him, he could take the job. Svoboda potentially has a future with the Nashville Predators. At age 29, it’s unlikely that Grosenick does.

10. Carl Persson, LW [23] (UDFA)

Stats (Karlskrona HK, SHL): 52 gp, 13 g, 11 a, 24 p, 4 PPG, 3 GWG (7 pgp, 0 g, 0 a, 0 p).

Carl Persson was tied for 27th in the Swedish Hockey League in the regular season. He was tied for 62nd in scoring and was 101st in points per game. He’s going to need to do better than that down the road to make the Nashville Predators, however. He could make the North American transition sometime soon, but if it comes this season, it could mean the end of his development.

Persson looks like a fourth liner with more goal-scoring prowess than most.

As it stands, Persson is a 23-year-old winger who didn’t score in the Swedish playoffs and looks like a fourth liner with more goal-scoring prowess than most. His defensive game will need to develop to earn that role in the NHL however, and that could mean bringing him to the AHL. Persson could still become impressive, as the SHL is a lower-scoring league, but it doesn’t appear right now that he has a high ceiling, good NHL readiness, or the biggest chances at playing for the Nashville Predators. Yet he’s still better than some in Nashville’s system.

9. Tanner Jeannot, LW [21] (UDFA)

Stats (Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL): 72 gp, 40 g, 40 a, 80 p, 4 PPG (4 A), 3 SHG (2 A), 3 GWG, 276 SOG, 1.11 pts/g (13 pgp, 3 g, 5 a, 8 p, 55 SOG, .62 pts/g).

Jeannot is better than Persson but still not nearly as good as the prospects after him on this list. At 21, he was tied for 28th in scoring, 17th in goal scoring, 55th in assists, and 42nd in points per game in the WHL. Those aren’t impressive numbers and are again indicative of if anything, a depth NHL player. While his goal-scoring ability is also impressive, and he’s more NHL ready than Persson, he needs a few years to show what he can do at the professional level.

While his goal-scoring ability is also impressive, and he’s more NHL ready than Persson, he needs a few years to show what he can do at the professional level.

Tanner Jeannot was worse in the playoffs, tying for 51st in playoff scoring, despite the fact that he had 13 games, a few more than other players around his vicinity in the rankings. Jeannot had fine point production in the regular season, with 1.11 points per game, as well as good shot production (3.83 shots per game). Jeannot was fine on the power play, with eight points, and was better shorthanded with five. That means he could be on the penalty kill in the AHL and potentially the NHL.

Jeannot has the ceiling of a penalty-killing fourth liner, but he has a better chance of being that than Persson does. He’s closer to being NHL ready, and if he shows up in the AHL this season and plays well, even without great numbers, he could see his stock rise. The Nashville Predators have holes to fill with the exit of players like Scott Hartnell and Mike Fisher, holes that Jeannot should hope to fill long term.

8. Patrick Harper, C [19] (3-92, 2017)

Stats (Boston University, NCAA): 20 gp, 8 g, 13 a, 21 p, 4 PPG.

Patrick Harper‘s numbers are unimpressive in the NCAA until you put them into perspective. His highest ranking was tied for 37th in points per game, but amongst players under the age of 20, he was first. While his injury-shortened season cost him rankings amongst the entire NCAA, he still finished high amongst teenagers. He was tied for 25th in goal scoring, 34th in points, and 33rd in assists amongst U20s.

While he might be small (5’7″), Harper plays with a lot of speed and has a great skill set

Harper needs to play another season in the NCAA to prove that one short season was not a fluke. Doing what he did, or growing his numbers, across a whole season could mean great things for the young center. Right now, he doesn’t appear NHL ready and the chances of him playing for the Nashville Predators in the next few years aren’t the highest (what with the Predators having Ryan Johansen, Kyle Turris, and Nick Bonino down the middle) but he could be a member of the team in the long run, especially with a better season.

The Predators have reasons to believe he will have a better season as well. While he might be small (5’7″), Harper plays with a lot of speed and has a great skill set. That’s why he was able to produce on a more than point-per-game pace even in a shortened season. Throughout his juniors career, Harper has done nothing but produce points. He had 37 points in a full 38-game season his Freshman year, and with the stats he had this past season, likely would have done better. He’s an excellent playmaker and while he needs to stay healthy, he could be excellent.

6. Grant Mismash, LW [19] (2-61, 2017)

Stats (University of North Dakota, NCAA): 38 gp, 9 g, 13 a, 22 p, 2 PPG.

Grant Mismash was a highly valued prospect heading into the 2017 draft, but fell to 61. He’s proven that the original hype around him may have been good, putting up 22 points in 38 games, including nine goals, in the NCAA. He plays with one of the traditional powerhouses in the NCAA with the University of North Dakota, in a good conference. That’s why his point production in just his Freshman year is good looking, though it leaves room for improvement.

Mismash is a power forward, with the ability to add gritty offense from the high-danger areas as well as sound fundamentals in the defensive zone

Mismash was tied for 243rd in scoring and 204th in goal scoring. Amongst players under the age of 20, Mismash was 33rd in scoring, tied for 19th in goal scoring, 33rd in assists, and 37th in points per game. Again, improvement is needed, but it’s not bad for a Freshman year, especially when North Dakota is no longer the powerhouse it once was and Mismash didn’t have the greatest talent around him. Mismash was good on the power play and is strong as both a goal scorer and playmaker, and as he continues to grow his game could become a strong wing.

Mismash is a power forward, with the ability to add gritty offense from the high-danger areas as well as sound fundamentals in the defensive zone. Both games need development, but the ground work is there. He also plays with good speed and can start and stop on a dime to change the pace of the game and create holes and lanes.

5. Alexandre Carrier, D [21] (4-115, 2015)

Stats (Milwaukee Admirals, AHL): 73 gp, 4 g, 24 g, 28 p, 2 PPG (11 A), 1 SHG, 3 GWG, 92 SOG, .38 pts/g.

Alexandre Carrier had a very strong AHL season, being one of the better offensive defensemen in the league and a formidable defensive presence. He was tied for 33rd amongst defensemen in scoring and 26th in assists. He’s not as strong a goal scorer from the blue line as the Nashville Predators may like, but he’s got an excellent sense for playmaking and good hockey IQ and vision. He was thus also good on the power play and scored a shorthanded goal.

Unfortunately, the Nashville Predators are a team who prides themselves on their blue line. With Ryan Ellis, PK Subban, and Roman Josi committed to long term, the Predators don’t have a ton of defensive holes. Mattias Ekholm will get a contract soon, so the only roles available are on the bottom-pairing. That means that Carrier doesn’t have as high a chance of playing with the Predators as some forward prospects. Still, he’s earning himself a look at the NHL, and the Predators should be taking notice.

It’s difficult to say when Carrier could get a serious look with the Predators. The team has Dan Hamhuis, Yannick Weber, and Matt Irwin on the bottom pairing for the next two years, and Anthony Bitetto has already played NHL games. In addition, there’s younger prospects ahead of Carrier on the organizational depth chart. Carrier is a very good player, however, and if the Predators are in the hunt, they could move him at the deadline as part of a package for a great addition.

4. Anthony Richard, C [21] (4-100, 2015)

Stats (Milwaukee Admirals, AHL): 75 gp, 19 g, 17 a, 36 p, 2 PPG (4 A), 1 SHA, 2 GWG, 2 ENG, 165 SOG, .48 pts/g.

Anthony Richard is an excellent center prospect, one who played top-six minutes with the Milwaukee Admirals this past season. Richard scored just 36 points, but with the Admirals missing the playoffs, he wasn’t in the best of company. He scored 19 goals this past season, and at a young age of just 21, there’s hope for Richard to continue improving. He was impressive at times during the AHL season, and was good on the power play and good in clutch situations, coming away with two game-winning goals.

Richard was also good at shot production, better than a two shot per game pace, and found ways to put pucks into the back of the net. With a pileup down the middle, Richard doesn’t have a lot of pressure to be in the NHL any time soon. But as he climbs his way up the ladder, he’ll be earning it. He’s got a middle-six ceiling, and could be a good finisher between playmaking wings.

Richard is very fast, and has the ability to read the game at high speeds while maintaining puck possession. His speed continues to be a benefit to his game, and he’s grown into control and understanding of it. He’s getting time on both special teams units in Milwaukee, and he continues to look dangerous. While he remains small, with his skill and speed that has become less of a factor.

3. Frederic Allard, D [20] (3-78, 2016)

Stats (Milwaukee Admirals, AHL): 55 gp, 8 g, 16 a, 24 p, 5 PPA, 2 GWG, 84 SOG, .44 pts/g.

Frederic Allard is a year younger than Carrier and only put up four fewer points in 20 fewer games. He was tied for 25th in goals by a defenseman and 52nd in defensive scoring. He’s a highly talented offensive defenseman who should be ahead of Carrier on the organizational depth chart and be in contention for a depth defensive role in the near future. There are still some question marks about Allard’s game, but he should be able to solve them in a healthy season.

One of the question marks is health, as Allard missed 20 games. This hasn’t been a question mark in his past, and in the juniors he remained healthy. The other question mark is his defensive game. At times, he can get burned by faster competition, especially because his work ethic means not quitting in the offensive zone, leading to fatigue. That’s something Allard still needs to work out, but his positioning has become even better in the AHL and he’s got the vision and instincts to be good in his own zone.

Allard’s ceiling is a top four defenseman, somebody who’s game resembles Ellis’s. With a full set on the Nashville Predators roster, there is no room for Allard, however. He could find a natural place on the bottom-pairing, even though he might be better than that, and play on the second unit power play and with a more defensive partner at even strength. He’s too good to get stuck in the AHL, and hopefully a healthy season will prove that.

2. Dante Fabbro, D [20] (1-17, 2016)

Stats (Boston University, NCAA): 38 gp, 9 g, 20 a, 29 p, 4 PPG, 2 GWG.

The logjam at defense for the Nashville Predators has been discussed. But for the right prospect, the logjam doesn’t exist. They’ll cut right through it, find the right place for them, and play where they want and the position they’ve earned. Dante Fabbro might be that prospect for the Predators.

He was one of the best offensive defensemen in the NCAA this past season and more than that is defensively sound. He’s one of the smartest defensemen drafted in recent years, and while his skills don’t add up to players like Charlie McAvoy, he’s got better vision and hockey IQ, which is what separates Fabbro. He was tied for 204th in goal scoring in the NCAA, 85th in assists, 118th in scoring, and 148th in points per game. Amongst defensemen, Fabbro was tied for 10th in goal scoring, 27th in assists, 16th in scoring, and 18th in points per game.

It might be a few seasons before Fabbro cuts through the Nashville Predators’ defense. He’s got a top four ceiling and a two-way game able to accomplish that ceiling. Fabbro is very likely to be a member of the Nashville Predators eventually, but likely not in the immediate future. Finally, Fabbro’s not NHL ready, but he’ll be close in the next two years.

1. Eeli Tolvanen, RW [19] (1-30, 2017)

Stats: (Jokerit, KHL): 49 gp, 19 g, 17 a, 36 p, 9 PPG, 3 GWG, 172 SOG, .73 pts/g (11 pgp, 6 g, 1 a, 7 p, 3 PPG, 1 GWG, 51 SOG, .64 pts/g).

Finally, the Nashville Predators’ best prospect isn’t a center, nor is he a defenseman. That might be a good thing, as there’s less of a logjam on the wings for Nashville. Eeli Tolvanen will likely get a full season in the NHL this season, is already NHL ready based on the fact that he did well in the KHL as a 19-year-old and is guaranteed to play with the Nashville Predators. Therefore, he meets every category, and is one of the best prospects in each category.

Tolvanen is an excellent goal scorer and someone who could find himself in the Predators’ top six someday. He was tied for 32nd in scoring, 11th in goal scoring, and 62nd in assists in the KHL this past season. In the playoffs, Tolvanen was tied for seventh in goal scoring. He’s got an excellent shot, one that he gets off quickly and goes exactly where he wants it to. Everything a player can do with the puck, Tolvanen does well.

It’s off the puck that Tolvanen needs to continue to grow, and which may hold him back from the top six. If he’s able to learn from the able veterans the Predators have and can thrive in the NHL, Tolvanen could be in good shape moving forward. He won’t be in the role he’ll have eventually right off the bat, but playing with Bonino on the third line to start off might not be such a bad thing.