Ryan Suter & Martin Erat return to practice

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 9, 2010 1:40 PM EST in Nashville Predators News

In today's open practice at Centennial Sportsplex, Ryan Suter and Martin Erat both returned to action, although they wore the red "no contact" jerseys. Even though they left the practice halfway through, they actually got started earlier that the rest of the team, working on a separate sheet of ice before the main practice got rolling. The good news is that they participated in a broad range of skating, passing and shooting activities, so there's hope at least that they'll play soon. I wouldn't expect a definitive statement on that, however, until Thursday in St. Louis.

The question I put to you is, as each player returns, who do you scratch from the lineup?

Up front, it appears that Sergei Kostitsyn is on the bubble, given his scratch on Sunday against Anaheim. Despite word on the pre-game show that he had missed a team meeting, or reports on TSN of an unspecified injury, a team spokesman assured me that he's not injured and was scratched simply due to a "coach's decision".

On the blueline, the choice isn't necessarily obvious. Alexander Sulzer has played well in his 8 games, and the struggles of Francis Bouillon and Shane O'Brien can each be partially attributed to the tougher workload they're being asked to carry in Suter's absence. Cody Franson leads the defense in points and plus/minus albeit in a bit of a sheltered role, and Kevin Klein continues to rack up 20+ minutes a night in a variety of situations.

So who would you sit?

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Although he's been playing better...

I’d have to sit SOB on defense. It would be a show of support and thereby encouragement for Sultzer, while at the same time test the resolve and commitment to this team of O’Brien, whose play has been spotty IMO.

On offensive, I’d hate to see it, but I think Spaling needs to go back to Milwaukee. I think Kozy needs to play and would be exposed to waivers if sent down. It’s a tough call, but that’s how I see it.

by ajinnashville on Nov 9, 2010 1:52 PM EST reply actions

Depends on the team

If Suter is ready to go Thursday then I think Sulzer sits (I think we are going to need as much physicality as we can get). If Suter waits until Saturday then SOB sits.

As for the forward, if Erat is a go for Thursday I would love to see:
Sully/O’Reilly/Horny
Toots/Legs/Ward
Wilson/Goc/Erat
Belak/Spaling/SK

If Erat waits til Saturday then I would use the same lines with JP in Belak’s spot.

Sorry but I want Spaling playing over Smithson (realize it won’t happen though).

by wrandsw on Nov 9, 2010 1:59 PM EST reply actions

Don't disagree re: Smithers...

His game has gone down a notch since last year, IMO. Not seeing the same effort on the forecheck, but yeah. He’s one of Trotzy’s guys. At this point, he’s a proven commodity. Spals will get there though.

by ajinnashville on Nov 9, 2010 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

Hate to lose Spaling purely from a PK standpoint, but I really want to see SK74 continue to play as long as he keeps improving like he has. More upside with him, so I’d sit Spaling.

On defense, it depends. What’s Sulzer’s waiver status? Didn’t he clear waivers once which would mean he had to be sent to Milwaukee within 30 days/10 games? I’d like to keep him up though since he’s been playing well, so I’d say sit SOB unless they decide to send Sulzer down.

I’d also like to call up some coaches and sit Trotz and company for a game or two to see what some new ideas can do for our horrible special teams. :-)

by BradHerman on Nov 9, 2010 2:09 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Sulzer would require waivers if they wanted to send him down.

On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators. Catch me on Twitter at @Forechecker, or join our legions on Facebook at Facebook.com/OnTheForecheck.

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 9, 2010 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

LOL! the part about sitting the coaches is awesome!!

by ablairnash on Nov 9, 2010 2:18 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

: )

I’d also like to call up some coaches and sit Trotz and company for a game or two to see what some new ideas can do for our horrible special teams. :-)

by LuvthePreds on Nov 9, 2010 10:39 PM EST up reply actions

I'm probably alone in this

But i think i would scratch some combo of O’Brien, Sulzer, Tootoo, and Smithson on top of the usual Belak scratch.

I think Spaling and Kostitsyn bring more upside and potential to the ice than Tootoo and Smithson (other than in faceoffs for Smithson) although that may partly be my bias against Tootoo speaking. I dont really see Trotz scratching either of them regularly but I kinda wish he would just to shake things up/give some young guys a chance.

as for D I think I would scratch Sulzer to start and see if O’Brien goes back to playing how he did in the first couple games in a third pairing role, additionally we would have a decent physical presence without having to dress Belak. If he falters scratch him for a while and let Sulzer play and make him earn his way back into an every day lineup.

by Joel Ward is my Homeboy on Nov 9, 2010 2:31 PM EST reply actions

Not Tootoo

for the blues. he has to be on the ice for 3 reasons. 1st- he is playing reasonably well. 2nd- trotz cant even appear to hide him after the CC hit. 3rd- it will be a rugged, rugged, nasty game, maybe even needing belak.

by predswilrule on Nov 9, 2010 2:45 PM EST reply actions

For whenever Erat/Suter return

I’d like to see these lines and pairings

Horny/O’Reilly/Sully
Erat/Goc/Dumont
Ward/Legs/Wilson
Toots/Spaling/SK

Weber/Suter
Franson/Sulzer
Klein/Boullion

I think it’s crucial to figure out what to do with Wilson, SK and Dumont. All three of these guys are very capable offensively. When they get put on lines with more of a grinding or energy role I think it’s a waste of their strong points. Dumont hasn’t been producing points lately but he seems to be one of the few players consistently trying to create offensive chances. Additionally I would absolutely keep Sulzer and Franson together. I think if they stay healthy they have the opportunity to develop chemistry and turn into a great young 2nd D pairing by the end of the year.

by Russell Freda on Nov 9, 2010 3:45 PM EST reply actions

by Hoelke11 on Nov 9, 2010 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

Weren’t Suzler and Franson paired together in Milwaukee ??

I’d like to see what a Erat/Goc/SK74 line would do …

by XVIII on Nov 9, 2010 3:55 PM EST reply actions

I think I’d just like to see lines left together for a while to build up some chemistry.
Notice the line that produced for us in Anehim was the line that’s been together all year long.

by Hoelke11 on Nov 9, 2010 3:57 PM EST reply actions

This x1000

by Joel Ward is my Homeboy on Nov 9, 2010 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

+1001

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 9, 2010 7:42 PM EST up reply actions

what he said. the injuries have been tough for that to occur, however, Trotz is famous for shuffling them around regardless.

I’m a trotz supporter most of the time, as his track record for playoff appearances is strong, especially considering the lack of money the team has to spend. But, I’m growing weary of it these day’s. This all feels like last year to me. Lousy November or December, whichever it was.

by dolphinfantn on Nov 9, 2010 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

That's great news about Suter!

I’d go with:

Sully-O’Reilly-HornQ
Wilson-Goc-Erat
Ward-Legwand-Dumont
Toots-Spaling-Kostitsyn

Weber-Suter
Klein-Frankie the Bull
O’Brien-Franson

We can’t sit O’Brien IMO, he gives us the physical edge we need all the time…and that allows us to sit Belak. He’s not a bad defenseman, and as long as Trotz is gonna keep Klein with Frankie (I’d like to see Klein and Franson as the 3rd pairing) then him and Franson are a good quality 3rd defensive pairing.

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Nov 9, 2010 7:41 PM EST reply actions

I wouldn’t play either Erat or Suter until they have had at least 2 days of contact in practice. Most of the comments here foresee a very physical game on Thursday which might be too much too soon. I don’t like Erat’s game anyway, but I know a lot of you do.

I don’t think SOB’s play has been all that bad. Hell, Weber is a team worst -5 and OTF took him to task for the Ducks’ game winning goal, but no one is suggesting he sit. If I were going to sit anybody to get SK back in the lineup it would be Legwand.

by shoot the puck on Nov 9, 2010 8:40 PM EST reply actions