Juuso Pärssinen: 2019 Seventh Round Pick Key to Predators Future
As the Nashville Predators prepare for the 2023 draft, 2019 seventh round draft pick Juuso Pärssinen proves it isn't where a player is drafted that determines his future value.
The 2023 NHL draft is a little over a week away, and David Poile, incoming GM Barry Trotz, and the Predators scouting team is hard at work finalizing their reports and preparing their draft board. It will be an important draft with the Predators heading in a new direction under new head coach Andrew Brunette. With thirteen picks in this year's draft, there is a lot of potential to jump start a youth led reset.
There are plenty of players hand picked by Poile from previous draft years that could be be important pieces as the Predators move forward. Today we'll look at a late round surprise who had a statement first season in the NHL.
Juuso Pärssinen 2019 7th Round Pick
It may seem surprising that a seventh round draft pick could be a key piece to the Predators' success moving forward, but Predators fans already know even an eight round pick can change the entire trajectory of a franchise. (God bless 2004 8th round selection, Pekka Rinne.)
Juuso Pärssinen, the 210th overall pick four years ago, steadily drew attention in his development camps with the Predators and with his play in the Finnish league from 2018-2022. In his four seasons with TPS Turku, Pärssinen played 134 game and earned 87 points. In 2021-2022, the 6'3" center scored 32 points in 41 games before joining the Milwaukee Admirals for their postseason run.
The focused Finn began last season in Milwaukee with the Admirals before making his NHL debut on November 12 against the New York Rangers on a Saturday in Smashville. Pärssinen quickly showed the Predators fan base the skill set that caught the eye of Nashville scouts, scoring his first NHL goal just 4:58 minutes into his first game. The goal he will be most remembered for - and likely the Predators goal of the season - happened in overtime against the Minnesota Wild on April 13 as Pärssinen scored the game winner with a show stopping between the legs score.
Pärssinen went on to score 5 goals and 23 points before being sidelined with an injury at the end of February. He returned to the lineup for the last three games in April adding a goal and an assist to his season total. Now Preds fans wait to see what Pärssinen can do as Nashville makes big changes for their future.
Pärssinen's skill set make him an important piece for a newly revamped roster in 2023-2024. The 212 pound forward knows how to use his body to create space offensively and to engage opponents defensively. He is a threat on the power play as well as at five on five play. He also thinks the game like a veteran.
"He plays a very mature game," captain Roman Josi shared after Pärssinen's third game against the Islanders in which he scored two goals and recorded an assist.
One of the biggest benefits of Juuso's game is that he can contribute in a multitude of roles. He spent time on a line with Mikael Granlund and Ryan Johansen earlier in the season where he highlighted his offensive skills and finished the season with Colton Sissons and Yakov Trenin where his physicality played an important role for the Predators. Improving his speed and skating will make Pärssinen even more valuable for a franchise looking to get faster.
There are many variables when envisioning the Predators' roster next season, but Pärssinen offers a well rounded skill set that may make him a top six forward or a depth scoring threat. This seventh round pick could end up being a critical piece to Nashville's future.