The list of injuries for the Nashville Predators is getting ridiculous. 

Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Matt Duchene, Juuso Parssinen, Alex Carrier, Mark Borowiecki, and Cole Smith are all currently injured, most of them likely out for the season. 

And after trading away veterans Mattias Ekholm, Mikael Granlund, Nino Niederreiter, and Tanner Jeannot, it's a wonder the Preds have any players left to ice a team. 

But Tommy Novak, a 25-year-old prospect from Minnesota, has stepped up amid the rash of injuries and fire sale of veterans. 

Tommy Novak nearly a point per game player

With 41 points in 46 games this year, including 17 goals, Tommy Novak is one of the most consistently productive forwards for the Nashville Predators this year. 

His ability to find offensive space and skill at dishing tape-to-tape passes in traffic is something the Preds have needed all season. Plus, his puck skills are very underrated, as he can pick corners with the best of them. 

Tommy Novak is a wizard at finding space in the offensive zone. And once he finds it, he's just as likely to snipe one into the corner as he is to dish a perfect pass.

Fantastic 3rd round find by the Preds and way undervalued for next year at $800K. pic.twitter.com/vdhiUFgi6w

— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) March 7, 2023

Last night against Vegas, Novak scored his 16th and 17th goals in a tough matchup against the Pacific division leading Golden Knights. His scoring skill was on full display in the 1st period, when he took a stretch pass from Luke Evangelista and put a backhander by Jonathan Quick. 

Then later in the period, his quick reaction during a power play scramble put the Preds up 2-0. This year, Novak has played considerably more on the power play. He's put up decent numbers, with five goals and seven assists, which ranks 4th on the Preds. 

Perhaps even better is that Novak is on such a cheap contract. His services cost only $750,000 for Nashville this year, and on February 8th, he signed a one year extension at only $800,000. 

Just a reminder that the Preds' leader in goals per sixty minutes (g/60) and points per 60 minutes (p/60) is signed through next year at just $800,000. pic.twitter.com/7drGpEANk3

— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) April 5, 2023

The Preds' leader in goals per sixty minutes. and points per sixty minutes, and a stable force on an injury ravaged team fighting for a playoff spot, at less than $1 million. 

What an absolute steal for Nashville. 

— Featured image via Bob Frid/USA TODAY Sports —