The Nashville Predators have recalled forward Fedor Svechkov ahead of tonight’s game versus the Winnipeg Jets. Head coach Andrew Brunette confirmed during morning media that Svechkov will make his NHL debut tonight against the Winnipeg Jets.
The 21-year-old Togliatti, Russia native was selected by the Predators in the first round of the 2021 draft with the 19th overall pick. He joined the Milwaukee Admirals in 2023-2024 after playing in several Russian leagues as a teenager. Svechkov scored 16 goals and 39 points in 57 games in his first Admirals season. He contributed six goals and 12 points in the Admirals’ postseason run to the AHL Western Conference Finals.
Despite missing the first four games of the 2024-2025 season with an injury, Svechkov jumped back in the Milwaukee Admirals lineup on October 23 and has recorded five goals and eight points in his seven games.
Svechkov, a six foot, 187 pound center, caught the eye of Predators head coach Andrew Brunette in the past two training camps and in his seven games this season with the Admirals.
“Coming from two camps in a row, kind of been watching him a little bit in Milwaukee,” Brunette said of Svechkov. “I think he’s been probably the best player down there.”
Mentioning his speed, ability to get to the middle of the ice, his size, and puck distribution, Brunette hopes Svechkov can add some punch to a struggling Nashville roster.
“He fits some of the needs we’re looking for right now,” Brunette said. “We’ll see. We’ve let him marinate a little bit. Obviously like him to keep playing, but we have to find some solutions.”
Tonight Svechkov and the 6-11-3 Predators will face the 17-3 Winnipeg Jets, a team that is at the top of the league in total points along with a number of other categories including power play conversion and goals per game. The Jets also have three players (Mark Schiefele, Kyle Connor, and Nikolaj Ehlers) in the top twenty for individual points this season.
Brunette is hoping Svechkov can bring a spark to a Nashville team that is struggling with poor execution, inconsistency, and frustration after a start that has been well beyond disappointing after big offseason moves and preseason expectations. The Predators are battling frustration individually and collectively, and will have to try and put together a more complete performance against the best team in the league at Bridgestone Arena.
