David Poile's comments on Eeli Tolvanen tell a surprising story
Nashville Predators General Manager David Poile shocked a lot of fans when Eeli Tolvanen was placed on waivers back on December 11th. Many fans felt the young Finnish forward wasn't utilized properly througout his tenure with the Predators and were aghast when the news came through that Tolvanen hit the waiver wire. And, as much […]
Nashville Predators General Manager David Poile shocked a lot of fans when Eeli Tolvanen was placed on waivers back on December 11th. Many fans felt the young Finnish forward wasn't utilized properly througout his tenure with the Predators and were aghast when the news came through that Tolvanen hit the waiver wire. And, as much as they were surpised he'd been waived, they were equally unsurprised that he was claimed by the Seattle Kraken the next day.
The following rumor began ciruclating:
This fueled the rage that many fans were feeling as it showed a severe disconnect between front office management and the reality of the skill level and value of the players on the ice.
Seattle's waiver claim on shows that Tolvanen clearly had value and could have been traded, but was waived instead. Even if David Poile and the Predators organization were truly "done" with Eeli Tolvanen, they would have tried to get something in return for his potential and his affordable contract. If the rumor about the front office's belief that he would clear waivers were true, it would show gross mismanagement of resources, if nothing else.
Of course, that was a rumor posted on twitter from Sean Shapiro. Surely Poile and Company didn't think Tolvanen would clear waivers. There must have been some other reason, unknown to the general public, right?
Well, today, David Poile made his weeky appearance on Robby and Rexrode on 102.5 The Game and revealed the following:
Poile mentioned they really hoped they got him through on waivers. Clearly, there was a fair amount of confidence in the room that he would clear. However, while they may not have been a team willing to give up any assets for Tolvanen, the Kraken were willing to give him a shot for nothing.
And has it worked out? Tolvanen remained a healthy scratch with Seattle for a few games after he was added to the roster, which seemed to back up the idea that Tolvanen didn't have any trade value. However, his performance since joining the roster has told a different story. Tolvanen has played five games with the Kraken, he's scored 3 goals and 2 assists. He's a point per game player right now. Two of those goals came on the power play.
In his last run with the Predators, Tolvanen was valued on the ice for his defensive abilities and wasn't given linemates or put in situations that would allow him to use his offensive skills to benefit the team. For now, Seattle is reaping the rewards of taking a chance on a player that was passed on by his former organization. If his hot streak continues, David Poile is willing to accept responsibility for the mistake of waiving him. But the larger question will remain, how could an entire organization have whiffed this badly on a talented young forward with a lethal shot?
-featured image via Eric Bolte/USA TODAY Sports-
