Ryan Ellis, Nick Spaling, Matt Halischuk & Linus Klasen also cut by Nashville

by Dirk Hoag on Sep 28, 2010 2:38 PM EDT

It's been a busy day in Barry Trotz's office as forwards Nick Spaling, Matt Halischuk and Linus Klasen have been given their tickets to Milwaukee, and Ryan Ellis has been sent back to the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL for one last year of junior hockey. This word all comes from Josh Cooper of The Tennessean, who has been providing updates via Twitter throughout the day.

Klasen was injured in a rookie game against the Florida Panthers, and hasn't played since. Spaling made an impression as a PK specialist and versatile depth forward when called upon last season, and since he doesn't require waivers, he may fill a similar role this year. Halischuk, who was acquired from New Jersey in the Jason Arnott trade, scored one goal in preseason action and Ryan Ellis has often turned heads with his offensive ability from the blueline, but needs to continue maturing physically before he'll be ready for NHL duty.

These moves bring the Nashville Predators' roster down to 27, narrowing the competition for the final jobs remaining. For a quick look at those battles, check out our review of the 6 cuts from this morning.

After the jump we've got an excerpt from the team's press release...

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has assigned forwards Matt Halischuk, Linus Klasen, Nick Spaling, Andreas Thuresson and Kelsey Wilson; defensemen Teemu Laakso, Grant Lewis and Brett Palin; and goaltender Chet Pickard to the team's primary developmental affiliate, the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals, in addition to sending 2009 first-round selection Ryan Ellis back to his junior team (Windsor, OHL).

The reduction puts Nashville's Training Camp roster at 27 players - 16 forwards, eight defensemen and three goaltenders. Players by position currently participating in camp are as follows:

FORWARDS (16): Jonas Andersson, Wade Belak, J.P. Dumont, Martin Erat, Marcel Goc, Patric Hornqvist, Sergei Kostitsyn, David Legwand, Matthew Lombardi, Jamie Lundmark, Cal O'Reilly, Jerred Smithson, Steve Sullivan, Jordin Tootoo, Joel Ward, Colin Wilson.

DEFENSEMEN (8): Francis Bouillon, Cody Franson, Aaron Johnson, Kevin Klein, Ryan Parent, Alexander Sulzer, Ryan Suter, Shea Weber.

GOALTENDERS (3): Mark Dekanich, Anders Lindback and Pekka Rinne.

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Really getting down to the nitty-gritty

Competition should be at full bore these final days of camp leading up to the preseason finale on Sunday…

Predators Hockey: Live it, Love it...
Follow me on Twitter: @SLakePreds

by Seth Lake on Sep 28, 2010 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

which battles are left?

As far as I can tell, we’re down to Johnson v. Sulzer, Lindback v. Dekanich, and Lundmark v. Smithson v. O’Reilly v. Andersson. Miss anything?

by Chris Burton on Sep 28, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

You got 'em

I can’t really think of any other battles for roster spots, but there are clearly battles going on within the top-six, top-nine, and even who will make up the 12 man forward lineup on opening night and who will be in the press box…

Predators Hockey: Live it, Love it...
Follow me on Twitter: @SLakePreds

by Seth Lake on Sep 28, 2010 2:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

So Kostitsyn is in?

by Lil cutie on Sep 28, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, it appears...

Kostitsyn is going to be on the 23 man opening night roster…

Predators Hockey: Live it, Love it...
Follow me on Twitter: @SLakePreds

by Seth Lake on Sep 28, 2010 3:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Belak

I still think it should be Lundmark v. Smithson v. O’Reilly v. Andersson v. Belak for 2 spots not Belak guaranteed a spot on the 23.

I do agree now that Spaling is in Milwaukee that Smithson is assured a spot, but would love to see Andersson and O’Reilly make this team over Belak.

by wrandsw on Sep 28, 2010 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions

sad face

Spaling was great last season, and has great stick skills. But maybe more time in mil will help his offensive game.

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

by flyalder on Sep 28, 2010 2:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Spaling being sent down surprises me. i guess we dont need his PK skills.

by HartnellsMop on Sep 28, 2010 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

Spaling

Unfortunately, Spals is simply a victim of the numbers, as is Halischuk. Both are NHL players, but both have another year of waiver exemption left and are being sent down to Milwaukee to continue their development and retain their value as assets to be recalled later in the season.

Fortunately for both of them, this is their final year of waiver exemption and their careers should lead to NHL jobs starting next year…

Predators Hockey: Live it, Love it...
Follow me on Twitter: @SLakePreds

by Seth Lake on Sep 28, 2010 2:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

NO SURPRISES

this isnt meant in the form of a criticism, but we could have started at this point. did anyone really think any different considering the several variables…. contracts, ability to bypass waivers andexperience in the nhl? also there is zero chance smithers isnt around on opening night. i dont see him “competeing” for a spot. i think anderson will stick. lundmark is history and likely o’reilly. i have no idea which dman goes down. im guessing johnson.

by predswilrule on Sep 28, 2010 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

UNRELATED

Does anyone know if Center Ice will do the free preview this year on Comcast. And if so are they doing it in HD this time.

Hawlischuk is a good player I hope to see him soon. Not sure about Spaling. And Ryan Ellis is still such a wee lad. Let him eat some stake and potatoes in Jr.‘s and hopefully we’ll see him next season.

by preds4ever on Sep 28, 2010 5:43 PM EDT reply actions