Adam Vingan

USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee

The synopsis of Viktor Arvidsson's hockey career reads like the plot of an inspirational sports film.

Arvidsson, the undersized and overlooked underdog, overcame conventional wisdom to reach the NHL, becoming one of the Predators' most impactful players.

Flirting with 30 goals, the forward is arguably scripting the league's most impressive breakout season, exceeding his personal expectations and those of the organization.

“I guess I wasn’t too sure what he was going to bring this year and where he could take his game," said Predators center Ryan Johansen, who has combined with Arvidsson and forward Filip Forsberg to form one of the NHL's most potent lines. "That’s probably why we’re talking about him right now and how impressed we are by the way he’s been consistent for us all year."

Eligible for the NHL draft in 2011, Arvidsson went unchosen until 2014, when Nashville took him in the fourth round. The Predators eyed Arvidsson in previous drafts, but weren't convinced enough to select him.

“I knew I was a less attractive guy in the draft," Arvidsson said. "It’s a big shot to take a pick and make it on a smaller guy. I know what teams think. They want bigger guys."

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Lucas Bergman, the Predators' Sweden-based scout, had watched Arvidsson, 23, since the forward was 16, immediately recognizing his trademark tenacity.

“This is in his DNA," Bergman said. "He only knows to play one way."

Arvidsson, listed at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, has always zoomed across the ice like a miniature bulldozer, undeterred from engaging larger players as he attacks offensively. His stamina gradually improved during his Swedish hockey career, which allowed him to sustain that high-energy style.

Something out of Arvidsson's control, however, held him back. The pace of the NHL is more suited to the talents of diminutive players, but trepidation still exists.

By Arvidsson's fourth go-around through the draft, there was no hesitation within the Predators' scouting department.

"The last year, we just said, ‘What more does this guy have to prove?’" Bergman said. "In those meetings, we said, ‘We’re taking this kid. We don’t want to even have a chance (of) missing out on him.’

“Sometimes, these smaller players have to prove you wrong. ... It’s sad to some degree, but that’s been the case. But he sure did, and he made us into believers."

That faith has been validated. In Arvidsson's second full NHL season, his 37-point improvement from last season is the league's second-largest. Three NHL players have more goals than Arvidsson's 15 since the All-Star break — Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov, Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane and Bruins forward Brad Marchand — three of the top six goal-scorers in the NHL.

Did Arvidsson envision a potential 30-goal season at this stage of his NHL career?

“Maybe I (wouldn’t) have believed that, but somewhere in there, I kind of believed that I could do it,” said Arvidsson, who needs three in the Predators' final nine games to reach that mark. "I had to believe I could do it. I believe in myself, and I want to be a big impact player."

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.

LARGEST POINT IMPROVEMENTS THIS SEASON

1. David Pastrnak (Boston): 38

2. Viktor Arvidsson (Nashville): 37

3. Justin Schultz (Pittsburgh): 30

4. Sam Gagner (Columbus): 29

5. Patrick Eaves (Dallas/Anaheim): 26

NEXT GAME

PREDATORS vs. SHARKS

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

TV/radio: Fox TN/102.5-FM