By John Glennon, guest columnist
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The hype surrounding Nashville Predators prospect Eeli Tolvanen is so great that one longtime team observer figured Tolvanen simply strolled across the Atlantic Ocean en route to Music City.
Alas, walking on water is one of the few things not on the lengthy resume of the 18 year-old Tolvanen, a Finnish native who signed his first NHL contract Thursday morning. The 2017 first-round pick is likely to make his Predators debut Saturday, when Nashville hosts the Buffalo Sabres.
(Photo: Tolvanen at developmental camp, courtesy Nashville Predators.)
Tolvanen's already made a huge impact on the professional hockey front this season, as he racked up 36 points (19 goals, 17 assists) in 49 games for his Jokerit team in Finland. It was the most productive season ever for a teenager in Russia's KHL, which is considered the second-best league in the world.
