The Predators, who have clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, hold a seven-point lead on the Winnipeg Jets for first place in the Central Division with five regular-season games remaining.
"The playoffs are coming," Tolvanen said, "and I know they're a really good team, so it's easy to jump in, I think, because there's a lot of good players, and they're going to push me forward. That's a good thing for me."
Transitioning to a new team likely won't be a challenge for Tolvanen, who played for Finland in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and in the IIHF World Junior Championship this season, in addition to Jokerit.
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Tolvanen's 36 points were the most by an under-19 player in KHL history, breaking the mark of 32 held by Evgeny Kuznetsov, now with the Washington Capitals, in 2010-11. Tolvanen had seven points (six goals, one assist) in 11 playoff games, tying Olli Palola for the Jokerit lead in goals and points.
"I've been on a lot of new teams this year, so it's easier to jump here," Tolvanen said. "It's not the first time I'm with a new team. I think the Olympics was a good experience. There was a lot of old NHL players, so I think that helped me too."
Tolvanen took a line rush with Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson at the morning skate Thursday and could play in the top six when he makes his debut.
The Predators, who lead the NHL with 111 points, believe the addition of Tolvanen will make them deeper at forward after losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.
"It's our pleasure to have [Tolvanen] here with us," Poile said. "This is a great move, obviously, for today and our future. He comes in in a great spot right now with six games left in the regular season. It gives us an opportunity to give him a look and gives us that depth that we're going to need in the playoffs."
