Estes: Josi's Norris win is huge for him, even bigger for Preds

Adam Vingan | The Tennessean

Larry McCormack / THE TENNESSEAN

ST. LOUIS — The Predators have monitored forward prospect Eeli Tolvanen with great interest.

He's given them reason to. Nashville's most recent first-round pick has torched the Kontinental Hockey League during his rookie season with Jokerit Helsinki.

Tolvanen's drool-worthy skill set should jibe well with the Predators' offensive philosophy, and the possibility exists that the 18-year-old may transition to the NHL this season.

“I think based on what he’s accomplished so far this year, that might be probable," Predators general manager David Poile said Wednesday.

A dynamic triggerman who averages 3.7 shots per game, Tolvanen has 17 goals and 32 points this season, receiving a KHL All-Star nomination earlier this month. His next point will place him in sole possession of the best under-19 season in the European league's history.

“I think simply he’s living up to (how) our scouts described him when we drafted him," Poile said. "He’s a pure goal-scorer. He loves to shoot the puck. He can score from a lot of different places. He’s lethal on the power play, and it certainly has translated on a high level.

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"If you believe that the KHL is the second-best professional hockey league, I would say Tolvanen is faring very well, especially at his age. That's what we were looking for, and that's what he's delivering."

David Banks / USA TODAY Sports

Tolvanen currently is representing Finland at the World Junior Championship tournament and could do the same at the upcoming Winter Olympics, which the NHL isn't participating in for the first time since 1994.

The Predators have maintained contact with Tolvanen's agent, but don't want to disturb Tolvanen as he fulfills his international and KHL obligations. The KHL’s regular season concludes March 1, but its postseason could last until April 26 if the championship round requires a Game 7 to decide.

“We certainly would like to make contact with the player in terms of what his thought process would be to sign a contract sooner than later," Poile said.

Tolvanen is under a one-year KHL contract with a player option for a second. When Tolvanen is available to make a determination about his future, the Predators will attempt to lure him stateside with a three-year entry-level contract.

"You don’t want to over-promise," Poile said. "You don’t want to put people in a position to not be successful.

"But on the other hand, with what he’s done and the success he’s had versus a deal that we might want to be making (by the Feb. 26 trade deadline), you weigh that up against signing Tolvanen and bringing him over to North America. (Tolvanen) might be a much better option.”

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

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