Great organizations never stop building. Whether it’s through extensive scouting that leads to quality draft picks, or smart and timely free-agent signings that yield immediate results, a team’s player personnel effort is perhaps the most important of the organization. The Nashville Predators are a shining example of how to build smartly for immediate success as well as long-term gains. They selected late in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft because they made it to the Stanley Cup Finals earlier that month. Nonetheless, the Predators did their homework and selected Finnish forward Eeli Tolvanen with the 30th overall pick in the first round. It didn’t take him long to skate with the big club as he made his NHL debut in the very next season. He saw appearances again in 2018-19 and appears to be a large part of the Predators’ current and future success. Tolvanen has autographed this “On The Rise” 16x24 designed image in black paint pen. His signature is deemed authentic by virtue of Upper Deck Authenticated’s Five-Step Process.
