Eeli Tolvanen, F:The 19-year-old signed an entry-level contract with the Predators last season and played three NHL games but struggled to create room to shoot and did not have a point. If he can adjust to the North American-sized rink and perform well in training camp, he could have a top-six role, which would create depth at forward and perhaps move Kevin Fiala or Craig Smith to the third line. Tolvanen was selected by Nashville in the first round (No. 30) of the 2017 NHL Draft and set Kontinental Hockey League under-19 records with 19 goals and 36 points in 49 games with Jokerit last season. ... Frederick Gaudreau, F: The 25-year-old played 20 NHL games last season and had three assists. He scored three goals in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins but couldn't break through on a full-time basis last season, when he had 43 points (22 goals, 21 assists) in 54 games for Milwaukee of the American Hockey League. … Emil Pettersson, F: The 24-year-old completed his first season with Milwaukee, had 46 points (13 goals, 33 assists) in 72 games, and showed playmaking ability. Pettersson likely will begin the season in Milwaukee but could get a long look at training camp. He was selected by the Predators in the sixth round (No. 155) of the 2013 NHL Draft. … Alexandre Carrier, D: He had a down season with Milwaukee, with 28 points (four goals, 24 assists) and a minus-14 rating in 73 games after an impressive 2016-17 season when he played two games for the Predators and had 39 points (six goals, 33 assists) in 72 games with Milwaukee. With the depth the Predators have at defenseman, Carrier, who turns 22 on Oct. 8, likely will begin the season with Milwaukee but could be the first call-up if a defenseman is injured.
