Tolvanen Arrives in Nashville, Skates with Preds

He's here.
After a whirlwind 100 hours, Eeli Tolvanen arrived in Nashville, Tennessee, in the early morning hours on Thursday to ink a
three-year, entry-level contract
with his new team.
Selected by the Preds with the 30th overall pick of the 2017 NHL Draft, Tolvanen has become one of the most highly touted prospects in hockey after a banner season in the KHL as an 18-year-old. And now it's almost time for him to make his NHL debut.

Tolvanen joined the Preds for their morning skate on Thursday, and although Head Coach Peter Laviolette confirmed Tolvanen would not immediately be inserted into the lineup after a long day of travel, he is certainly looking forward to observing what the young Finn can do in person.
As far as Tolvanen is concerned, he's just happy to be in Nashville.
"It feels kind of crazy that I'm here right now," Tolvanen said outside of the Predators locker room at Bridgestone Arena. "It's been crazy, all the immigration things, all the packing and saying goodbye to all my teammates [in the KHL], it was tough, but it feels good to be here right now. I'm excited to be here."
Tolvanen had 36 points (19g-17a) with Jokerit, the highest point total by an under-20 player in KHL history. In the postseason, Tolvanen had seven points (6g-1a) in 11 games, tying for the team lead in goals and points during the playoffs.
The Vhiti, Finland, native also represented his country during the 2018 Winter Olympics, recording nine points (3g-6a) for Finland in five games to finish tied for second in scoring for the tournament.
All of that experience for an 18-year-old, including skating against former NHLers in the KHL, puts him ahead of most for his age.

"I think that was a good opportunity for me to playing the KHL," Tolvanen said. "It's the second-best league in the world, so I think that helped me a lot as a player and as a person… I've been on a lot of new teams this year, so it's not the first time I'm with a new team, and I think [playing with] Jokerit was a good experience."
The Predators no longer have to watch video of their prized prospect. Instead, they can integrate him into the systems, the culture and the atmosphere that comes with being a member of the top team in the NHL.
While expectations are being tempered, the Preds have also seen what Tolvanen is capable of. And that's reason for optimism.
As for Tolvanen, he knows he's been brought to Nashville for a reason, and he just wants to do what he's done all season.
"Just to get a chance and just play my game," Tolvanen said. "I don't think I need to bring anything else, just what I've got."