Prospect Info: At 30th Overall the Predators Select Eeli Tolvanen

[deanwormer]

Have we ever drafted a sniper?

Well, there was that one russian guy......

 

[JLP]

Yeah most are surprised he was still there at #30. And if the price to protect Neal last week really was a 1st to Vegas, this amounts to a Neal for Tolvanen swap which seems a strong Poile-style move.

 

[Mortiest Morty]

Honestly, I think I'd like to sign him right away. With his speed at 5-10/181, he's physically in a place where he won't get tossed around like a rag doll in the AHL, and being in our strength program for basically a free two years with the ELC slide rule would be a huge boost to his development.

His official combine measurements were 5"10.5' and 189 lbs and he looked pretty ripped to me. I think he should definitely be able handle the AHL physically.

 

[Legionnaire11]

By the time he's 22 he can easily be 5'11/6'0 and 196-201 range.

 

[adsfan]

How did this even happen? Most mocks had him in the top 15. Is the Boston college commitment an issue maybe. Something has to be up for him to drop to 30. Kid has skills!

My only concern is that BC has a history of taking almost any athlete. I assume that it was an academic or language issue. This kid has potential to fill up the net.

 

[Enoch]

I read not enough credits on some prospect website. Who knows. IT doesn't really matter honestly. BY all reports his hockey IQ is very high.

 

[Gnashville]

I read not enough credits on some prospect website. Who knows. IT doesn't really matter honestly. BY all reports his hockey IQ is very high.

The credits seem to be the issue given how he has only been in the US for 2 years and mostly playing hockey it makes sense.

 

[GeauxPreds]

My only concern is that BC has a history of taking almost any athlete. I assume that it was an academic or language issue. This kid has potential to fill up the net.

after watching his interview it certainly wasn't a language issue. I'd be willing to bet its the credits rumor floating around. Schools are really strict about having x amount of math/history/english/science units etc

 

[klt2001]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XVc6xhKkpg

 

[Osprey]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XVc6xhKkpg

 

[Soundgarden]

Great pick, could have easily been in the top 15. Smart for Poile to stand pat and pick whoever was gonna fall.

 

[Drake744]

"How would you describe your playing style?"

"Goal scorer. All around offensive guy."

 

[Nothing Is New]

Great pick for #30. Preds continue to build an offensive machine.

 

[SkarEffect]

Eeli Tolvanen reminds me of a younger Ilya Kovalchuk, maybe i'm getting way ahead of myself there.

 

[Adz]

Someone on FB made a post welcoming him to Smashville. Then he checked the auto translator and had to laugh. His name was translated to e Eli Hoopleheads.

I'm sure the Finns would say there was a Swedish trickster involved.

 

[thecloser]

I just watched this guy's tape for a little while. He's gonna be special. His shot is quick and he finds holes perfectly. He's pretty quick and always looks for the shot. Had a hat trick against Russia in the 2016 U18 IIHF tournament and at one point led the tournament in goals.

He was linemates with Jesse Puljujarvi (4th OVR pick last year)

Kid is gonna be special.

 

[Legionnaire11]

Someone on FB made a post welcoming him to Smashville. Then he checked the auto translator and had to laugh. His name was translated to e Eli Hoopleheads.

I'm sure the Finns would say there was a Swedish trickster involved.

I saw Hoopleheads too. If I had money to blow it would be a hilarious name to put on a jersey.

 

[behemolari]

Eeli Tolvanen reminds me of a younger Ilya Kovalchuk, maybe i'm getting way ahead of myself there.

much closer comparison is Tarasenko

so was it size alone that made this guy fall to 30? or what?

any rumored attitude issues?

he is purely offensive type of player, most of teams needed two way or defensive prospects?

 

[BB88]

When I 1st thought of AHL I was excited and fwould have said yes, but now that I think of it more I think 1 more junior year/Liiga season would be better.

I'm going by how A.Nylander struggled to jump from OHL to AHL, it's different for these European prospects when they come from Liiga/SHL.

Great shot, elite potential but elite risk.

 

[JustaFinnishGuy]

When I 1st thought of AHL I was excited and fwould have said yes, but now that I think of it more I think 1 more junior year/Liiga season would be better.

I'm going by how A.Nylander struggled to jump from OHL to AHL, it's different for these European prospects when they come from Liiga/SHL.

Great shot, elite potential but elite risk.

But he's an North American prospect.. Most likely route would have been college but now that's out of the question and given how he's built he certainly can go the AHL route if he wants to
I dont recall anyone having a better impact in their game If they have gone to Liiga for development

 

[BB88]

But he's an North American prospect.. Most likely route would have been college but now that's out of the question and given how he's built he certainly can go the AHL route if he wants to
I dont recall anyone having a better impact in their game If they have gone to Liiga for development

1)So was A.Nylander and he struggled.
2)How many prospects of ours have been in same situation? Can't think of 1.

I'd look at juniors/Liiga for next season, then AHL.

 

[INDhockeyfan]

He can go to the CHL as well. They will evaluate him at development camp and see what is the best place for him.

 

[worstfaceoffmanever]

he is purely offensive type of player, most of teams needed two way or defensive prospects?

We've had our fill of those for a while.

 

[Lempo]

Someone on FB made a post welcoming him to Smashville. Then he checked the auto translator and had to laugh. His name was translated to e Eli Hoopleheads.

I'm sure the Finns would say there was a Swedish trickster involved.

If we only were so lucky. For a boy with rumored "academic" shortcomings, "tolvana" is an unfortunate choice for last name.

Noun
tolvana

ignoramus, nincompoop, blockhead

https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/tolvana

 

[Predigree]

Is he NHL ready or just another Prospect we have to wait years bevor we see him?

Never heard anything of this Guy.