Filling the void – Tolvanen is finding his comfort level in Nashville

Eeli Tolvanen is feeling more at home in North America.

Tolvanen, who signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators in late March, feels he’s inching closer to comfort and a full-time career in the National Hockey League.
“Hopefully (I’m close),” said Tolvanen, who has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 21 games with Milwaukee of the American Hockey League this season.

“I don’t want to go back to Milwaukee. For me, those two months were big. I think it helped me a lot, the defensive game and getting ready to play North American-style of hockey.

“It’s a lot different. The rink is smaller and there’s no time and space and all the guys are bigger and stronger and heavier. As a smaller guy like I am I have to be ready all the time and be ready to battle.”

LIT UP THE KHL

There’s little doubting Tolvanen, the No. 30 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.

The 19-year-old was a six-time KHL Rookie of the Week, and a two-time Rookie of the Month with Jokerit in 2017-18, prior to inking his deal with the Predators.

He starred at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, netting six points (one goal, five assists) en route to earning a top-3 honor on Finland’s roster.

He was even better at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, earning a nod on the tournament’s All-Star Team.

Now, his sights are set on Nashville.
“Those two months in Milwaukee helped me a lot,” said Tolvanen, who earned a promotion to the Predators on Dec. 1 after the club was hit with a rash of injuries. “I think I’m more ready than I was last year when I got the call.

“I still need to keep working on my skating and just be ready.”

And, of course, study up.

There’s plenty for him to learn through his audition, which has seen Tolvanen net two points — including his first NHL goal.

“Everywhere he’s been he’s put up points,” Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. “Every league and every level and in international play he’s been a guy that’s been able to contribute offensively.

“I do think that there’s a bit of a learning curve when you come to the smaller rink, and the time and space is less than what it might be on a bigger rink, certainly up here now. I think the American Hockey League is a heck of a league with great players so you have to figure that out as well.

“Now that he’s been called up here, it’s the best players in the world. Time and space happen really quick, there’s not a lot of it out there, so learning how to play inside of that.”

Photo: Newspix24/Tomi Hänninen

ADAPTING TO THE NHL

Time in Milwaukee, Tolvanen admitted, has helped.

So too did starting the season in North America — his first opportunity to do so.

“That was a huge relief,” said Tolvanen, who in the past has also been a significant standout for Finland at the World Under-18 Championship and World Under-17 Challenge. “I got to know all the guys and teammates and coaching staff and equipment guys. There was no pressure when I got to training camp. I just came and tried to do my best. I think that was the big thing that I wanted to do before.”

“It was good.”

For both sides.

“This is my first crack at seeing him coming out of training camp,” Laviolette said.

“I think that the consistency of that is where you’d like to see it get to where it’s showing every single game. I thought he’s done a pretty good job. He’s a young player. We’ll continue to work with him and teach him.

“He’s done some good things.”

With the right attitude.

Tolvanen is trying to seize the opportunity and build on that comfort level.

“When I get the call, I just have to play my own game and just go out there and have fun and enjoy the moment,” said Tolvanen, who is still eligible to play in the 2019 IIHF World Juniors. “That’s a pretty good experience to play here as a 19-year-old and play with great teammates.

“I just try to make the most of it and have fun.”