Nash Daily: Burke’s Breakout Year, Kraken Push Stars To Game 7

Passed over in the NHL Draft, Nolan Burke finally landed an NHL contract in 2022.

After a breakout 50-goal, 82-point season with the Sarnia Sting, Burke went from undrafted afterthought to a legitimate Nashville Predators prospect. With the No. 10-ranked farm system in the NHL, Burke’s development gives the Predators an even deeper prospect pool.

Eeli Tolvanen had just one goal in his first seven playoff games as a member of the Predators. But in 13 postseason games with the Seattle Kraken, Tolvanen has three goals and eight points, including his three-point performance in Seattle’s 6-3 win over the Dallas Stars on Saturday to force Game 7.

It was Tolvanen’s second multi-point game this postseason and his fifth since joining the Kraken in January. The 24-year-old forward has come into his own since switching teams, totaling 19 goals and 35 points in 61 total games with Seattle.

The Kraken have averaged six goals in their three wins over Dallas and just 2.3 goals in their three losses. Game 7 of the second-round series is Monday at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Nashville Hockey Now

It’s still not known if John Hynes will be back as the Predators head coach in 2023. General manager-in-waiting Barry Trotz has been noncommittal about Hynes’ status, and while he very well may still be under evaluation, sources have indicated to Nashville Hockey Now that Trotz could be exploring other options.

Evgeny Kuznetzov and the Washington Capitals appear to be heading for a divorce. Could the Predators be a possible suitor for the four-time 20-goal scorer? Adding the 30-year-old center would immediately upgrade the Predators’ top six and likely prevent them from entering into a full-blown rebuild.

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Boston Hockey Now: Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk is coming off a career year. Will he be on Boston’s roster in 2023 or could he be a trade candidate?

Florida Hockey Now: The Florida Panthers are playing in the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 1996. As the two longest-tenured members on the team, Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad reflect on Florida’s improbable run to the conference final.

LA Hockey Now: The Kings gambled at the trade deadline, acquiring goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. But after being dispatched by the Edmonton Oilers in six games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which player will the Kings prioritize in free agency?

Vegas Hockey Now: The Golden Knights dispatched of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers in six games to move onto the Western Conference Final. Also, Vegas’ win locks in the first-round pick sent from the Oilers to the Predators in the Mattias Ekholm trade at 24th overall.

IIHF: A pair of former Predators helped lead Team USA to a 7-1 win over Hungary at the IIHF World Championships on Sunday. Rocco Grimaldi tallied a goal and two assists while Nick Bonino chipped in two goals.