We continue with our monthly recaps as part of our new coverage for On The Future! We will be providing short need-to-knows about everyone in the Preds’ system. Follow us on Twitter!
I want to start off this recap with something different. You’ll notice below that I took off some names because there are no new updates or notes on them. With that said, one of my projects for this summer is to create an interactive database of the Predators’ pipeline. In the meantime, I’ve constructed a CapFriendly-style spreadsheet of the organization’s prospects. Feel free to check it out here!
NCAA
Dante Fabbro, D, Boston University
Signing Fabbro to his entry-level contract seems to be a top priority for David Poile this season. He’s been named a captain for BU for next season, but I don’t think that’s indicative of much. But if it does, remember he’s just going to be a junior.
Tommy Novak, F, University of Minnesota
Novak’s rights are under Predators’ control for one more year. I don’t see him being offered a contract.
Rem Pitlick, F, University of Minnesota
I think the organization will keep a close eye on Pitlick during his junior year this upcoming season. Maybe a contract comes next offseason.
Adam Smith, D, Bowling Green State University
Smith, like Novak, seems to be the least likely option to receive a contract from the Predators.
Juniors – CHL, USHL
Tanner Jeannot, F, Moose Jaw Warriors [WHL]
After defeating the Prince Albert Raiders in seven games in the first round, Jeannot and the Warriors lost to the Swift Current Broncos in seven in round two. Jeannot will be in Milwaukee next season as this ended his final junior season.
I like this pickup quite a bit. I don’t think he projects to have an incredible NHL impact, but, at the very least, he can provide good flexibility for the Admirals and help more high-end prospects to succeed down there.
Pavel Koltygin, F, Drummondville Voltigeurs [QMJHL]
Koltygin had a strong showing in the playoffs for the Voltigeurs who lost in five games to the Victoriaville Tigres in the second round of the QMJHL playoffs. In ten games Koltygin posted 5 goals and 7 points playing mostly third/fourth-line minutes.
I’m curious to see if Koltygin gets a contract this summer. He’ll be back in the QMJHL regardless next season, and the organization may want to see his impact with better ice time.
Jacob Paquette, D, Kingston Frontenacs [OHL]
The Frontenacs lost in five games in the Eastern Conference Final to the Hamilton Bulldogs. I thought Paquette was largely fantastic in the playoffs. He posted a goal and four points in 16 games and looked defensively dominant at times. He’s grown a lot in my book this season, and I’m excited to see him in 2018-19.
Tomas Vomacka, G, Lincoln Stars [USHL]
Vomacka had an overall good season; he carried the Stars at many times. He, however, only started three of seven playoff games and didn’t exactly impress.
Vomacka heads to UConn next season. It will be interesting to see how many starts he sees behind Rangers’-prospect Adam Huska.
Europe
Hardy Haman Aktell, D, Skelleftea AIK J20 [SuperElit]
The parent Skelleftea club has four slots open on defense this summer. I wonder if Aktell snags one of them.
Miroslav Svoboda, G, HC Plzen [Czech]
Svoboda is a big signing for the Predators. He immediately steps in as the best goalie prospect in the system. Check out the details here. I anticipate a Grosenick/Svoboda duo in Milwaukee next season.
Niclas Westerholm, G, SaiPa U20 [Jr. A SM-liiga]
Westerholm reportedly came to Milwaukee for about 10 days after the signing – I don’t know if that’s true but oh well. He’s currently listed as one of two goalies on SaiPa’s roster for next season. A year in Finland’s top league is nothing to complain about.
Milwaukee Admirals
The summer of hopeful turnover for the Admirals begins. I anticipate many changes being made. A good first step, however, was re-signing Tyler Gaudet. Check out my breakdown of that deal here!
Paul Fenton appears to be the early favorite for the Minnesota Wild GM opening which means the Admirals will have a new man at the helm next year. I’m curious whether Brian Poile gets promoted to Assistant General Manager or if the organization goes elsewhere. I’d bet on the former.
In the latest news, Yakov Trenin is all but confirmed to go to the KHL this summer. This doesn’t move the needle much for me; he became largely a non-factor down the stretch. Read more on that here.
I’ll have more updates on the Admirals forthcoming moves in later posts.
ECHL Notes
Last month I noted the Maine Mariners were looking for an NHL affiliation and the Preds – without one – could be interested. Ultimately, the Mariners signed a deal with the New York Rangers which oddly could work out better for Nashville. I’m not even sure the organization is interested in an affiliation right now, but the Rangers’ former affiliate just so happens to be right down the road in South Carolina – the Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
All statistics are courtesy of eliteprospects.com.