Is it October yet?
Unfortunately, no, but we're here to help pass the time. From Aug. 8 to Sept. 1, The Hockey News Nashville Predators will be counting down 24 players in 24 days, profiling every current or potentially rostered player.
Today's player profile is forward Fedor Svechkov.
24 Nashville Predators in 24 days series
As an NHL prospect
Born and raised in Tolyatti, Russia, which is located near the western border of Kazakhstan and Russia, Svechkov played U16 and junior hockey for HC Ladia Togliatti.
In his draft year, 2021, Svechkov split his time between Ladia Togliatti's MHL team, the Russian junior league, and their VHL team, which is the second-highest professional hockey league in Russia. In the MHL, he had 15 points in 15 games, and in the VHL, he had 15 points in 38 games.
Svechkov also represented Russia at the IIHF U18 World Junior Championship, scoring 10 points in seven games and winning a silver medal. This was his final international appearance before Russia was banned from international competition due to the country's war with Ukraine.
In the NHL Draft, he was selected 19th overall, but returned to Russia to play in the KHL.
Professional career
Svechkov joined SKA St. Petersburg and played games in the KHL, VHL, and MHL. He played the most games in the VHL, scoring 31 points in 30 regular-season games and adding six points in 13 playoff games. Svechkov played four games in the KHL that year, scoring no points.
The following season, Svechkov moved to Spartak Moscow and again played games in both of Russia's professional leagues and its junior league. He played the most games in the KHL, scoring four points in 27 games.
Svechkov logged seven points in 14 VHL games and eight points in five MHL games. He also played nine playoff games in the VHL, scoring seven points, and seven playoff games in the MHL, scoring four points.
To start the 2023-24 season, now 20 years old, Svechkov made the move to North America and played a full season with the Milwaukee Admirals.
In 57 games, Svechkov scored 16 goals and 39 points and had a plus/minus of 12. In the postseason, he scored six goals and six assists for 12 points in 15 playoff games.
Last season, Svechkov split time between Nashville and Milwaukee. With the Predators, he played 52 games, scoring 17 points. In Milwaukee, he played 13 games, scoring 12 points. Svechkov also played in the Calder Cup Playoffs, recording eight points in 10 games.
He is entering the final year of his 3-year, $2.775 million entry level contract.
What role will he play this season?
It seems that it's widely agreed that Svechkov will play a larger role this season.
Many projections have him centering the second or third line in hopes of spreading the scoring depth. That'd require moving Ryan O'Reilly to the first line and Steven Stamkos to the wing on the second line.
It's a big role that Svechkov would step into, but it seems like he's ready for the moment. It all depends on the type of training camp he'll have and what he'll look like in the early season.
Can he handle playing in a more prominent role, and will his play remain consistent if the team isn't playing well? Last season, when the Predators struggled to win, his production declined and he was sent to Milwaukee.
He gained some playoff experience in Milwaukee, but that was after a season where he spent the entire year in Nashville.
Svechkov is also a part of the next generation of Predator players and would likely want to get him more reps in the NHL.
This is going to be a big year for Svechkov, not just in making the next step in his career, but also in being the final year of his entry-level contract.