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5 months ago: Nashville Predators' Alexander Sulzer, left, and Columbus Blue Jackets' Nikita Filatov, of Russia, fight for the puck in the second period of an NHL preseason hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

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From John Glennon at The Tennessean:

The Predators have recalled veteran forward Dave Scatchard and prospect defenseman Alexander Sulzer in preparation for Wednesday's game in Boston.

Nashville has also reassigned defenseman Teemu Laakso to Milwaukee of the American Hockey League.

Sulzer was the surprise of training camp, as the fact that he'd been given a one-way contract was assumed to be a sure sign that he'd be a full-time Nashville Predator this season. Instead, Laakso earned the last job available at the start of the season, and Cody Franson got recalled from Milwaukee last Friday.

Scatchard is a sizeable presence up front, and would presumably work on the 4th line and perhaps the penalty kill, where he saw lots of action during his last two NHL seasons (2005-6 and 2006-7). Here's the scouting report from his player page:

As for Laakso, he can take pride in having made an impact during training camp and the early days of the season, but obviously he'll be disappointed with the assignment back to the AHL. The Preds are hoping that competition for NHL work will bring out the best in their prospects, but so far we haven't seen one really seize the opportunity presented.

Alexander Sulzer

#52 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-1

Weight: 207

Born: May 30, 1984

Dave Scatchard

Center / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-2

Weight: 224

Born: Feb 20, 1976

Details from the team's press release follow after the jump...

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has recalled defenseman Alexander Sulzer (al-ehx-AN-duhr SUHLT-suhr) and forward Dave Scatchard (DAYV SKAT-chuhrd) from Milwaukee (AHL). The Predators also assigned defenseman Teemu Laakso to the Admirals, and placed Jason Arnott on injured reserve.

Sulzer, 25 (5/30/84), has six points (1g-5a) in five games for the Admirals in 2009-10, good for fifth (tied) among AHL defensemen. The Kaufbeuren, Germany native appeared in two NHL contests for the Predators a season ago - the first two games of his career - becoming the first German-born player to suit up for Nashville.

Scatchard, 33 (2/20/76), has a team-leading three goals and 17 penalty minutes in four contests for Milwaukee this season, his first regular season action since he played 11 AHL contests with Milwaukee and Hartford in 2007-08. The Hinton, Alta., native has played in 635 career NHL games since the 1997-98 season, amassing 263 points (125g-138a) with Vancouver (1997-2000), the New York Islanders (2000-04), Boston (2005-06) and Phoenix (2005-07).

 Laakso, 22 (8/27/87), appeared in each of the Predators first seven games of the 2009-10 season, did not register a point and had two penalty minutes.