Predators recall Spaling; Goc and Lombardi placed on injured reserve?

by Chris Burton on Oct 18, 2010 12:15 PM EDT

In a flurry of roster moves this morning, the Nashville Predators have recalled forward Nick Spaling from the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL, and according to beat writer Joshua Cooper, placed centers Marcel Goc and Matthew Lombardi on injured reserve (though that's unconfirmed by the team). Goc will be out 2-4 weeks with a separated shoulder thanks to this borderline hit from Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom, while Lombardi suffered a concussion against Chicago and will miss at least the next four games. It's becoming an ugly situation, and our own Seth Lake reports that Colin Wilson has already been moved back to center for the time being.

UPDATE: All I have confirmed from the Preds is that Goc is going on IR. Even with Spaling's callup, the team can keep Lombardi as a scratch and still stay at the 23-man limit, so they don't need to put him on IR at this time. - Dirk

After the jump, the team's press release and our Milwaukee correspondent chimes in on Spaling.

Here's Ryan Miller (aka AdmiralsShortShifts) on Spaling's promotion:

Spaling has been playing on the team's best line through the first four games, centering Linus Klasen and Andreas Thuresson. He has consistently been one of the best players on the ice, playing responsibly on both ends and on special teams. He's only got two points so far, but he's been on the ice for half of the teams goals so far this season. It's a well-deserved promotion.

Per the team:

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has recalled forward Nick Spaling from Milwaukee (AHL).

Spaling, 22 (9/19/88), has posted two points (1g-1a) through four games with the Admirals this season. In his rookie NHL campaign of 2009-10, the Palmerston, Ont., native put up three assists in 28 games for the Predators. He posted a plus or even rating in 26 of those contests and ranked fifth among rookie forwards in average shorthanded ice time (1:43). Nashville's third choice, 58^th overall (second round) in the 2007 Entry Draft also dressed for all six of the club's 2010 Stanley Cup Playoff contests.

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Comments

Borderline?

There was nothing borderline about Backstrom’s hit IMHO. A Spaling-Klasen-Thursson line sounds awfully attractive right now.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Oct 18, 2010 1:01 PM EDT reply actions

agreed on the Backstrom hit...

I definitely expected it to be a double-minor at least

by Broadwaybully on Oct 18, 2010 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Lombardi and Erat injuries

Is anyone else frustrated with the lack of information regarding the absence of Erat and Lombardi from the lineup? I know NHL teams are always tight with injury information but neither of these two suffered any specific injury during an on ice incident. But with Goc out maybe it’s time for someone to step up and play through some pain.

by Russell Freda on Oct 18, 2010 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

Whoops

I don’t recall the Lombardi concussion against Chicago

by Russell Freda on Oct 18, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Neither does he..

by ablairnash on Oct 18, 2010 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

ewwwww shut up

by preds4ever on Oct 19, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Erat

started the season with back spasms. this early in the season with how well the team is playing it’s not a horrible thing to baby these injuries a little to make sure the players are as healthy as they can be going further into the season. that said, if the preds start losing every game then a few of the players may be rushed back into the lineup a little bit.

"It's gonna be fun on the bun."

by flyalder on Oct 18, 2010 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Goc video?

For those of us not at the game, does anyone have a link to a video of the hit?

by howdy2u on Oct 18, 2010 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

Here’s what a fan captured on cellphone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAJSQve9Fig&feature=player_embedded

by Hockey Hillbilly on Oct 18, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm going to post the Goc video shortly

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators. Catch me on Twitter at @Forechecker.

by Dirk Hoag on Oct 18, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Not to be impertinent, but while you’re looking for Backstrom’s illegal hit could you also look up any video of Suter’s OT penalty call? Sitting three rows behind the glass directly in front of the play, I saw Suter’s stick hit the puck as he reached around Ovechkin. The referee saw something else, gave the Caps the 4-3 advantage and effectively awarded the game to Washington. Am I still seething about Saturday’s officiating? You bet I am.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Oct 18, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

If Shane Doan gets a 3-game suspension for his hit on Sexton, we had BETTER be hearing something coming down on Backstrom for this one. However, I expect nothing because this is Campbell’s Dartboard of Justice that we’re talking about.

by OddManRush on Oct 18, 2010 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

We won't hear a thing

because this atrocious hit came from Nicklas Backstrom of the Presidents Cup-winning Washington Capitals, also known as the Flying Ovechkins, acknowleged television favorites, while the victim was Marcel Goc of the Nashville Predators, of whom TV audiences have seen nothing and from which nothing of any consequence is expected. If the roles were reversed, we’d see a two- to five-game suspension. And God forbid it involved Jordin Tootoo. We’d be picking up his remains from under the CN Tower right now.

by Hockey Hillbilly on Oct 18, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions