Predators assign Tolvanen to AHL

Nashville Predators top prospect Eeli Tolvanen was assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League on Wednesday, the team announced.

The 19-year-old is coming off an outstanding 2017-18 that saw him break Evgeny Kuznetsov's KHL record for most points by a player under 20 years old. Tolvanen recorded 36 points in 49 games, surpassing Kuznetsov's mark of 32.

Tolvanen entered camp with hopes of cracking the Predators' roster after he was unable to cement a spot last season. Although he joined the team down the stretch a year ago, the 2017 first-round pick had a rather unimpressive camp, failing to record a point in four preseason contests.

The team also announced that defenseman Brian Cooper was released from his professional tryout, but the club expects to send him to training camp with the Admirals.