In what could be a precursor for any number of moves, the Nashville Predators have placed winger Ryan Jones on waivers, per TSN's Bob McKenzie and Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.
Jones has struggled to make a consistent impact with the Predators since signing a two-year contract over the summer, and this move presumably opens a roster spot for one of two things:
- The return of Cody Franson from Injured Reserve, and/or
- A trade in the works
If I had to guess, I'd put my money on Option 2. If Franson rejoined the lineup, the Predators would have 8 active defensemen. Considering that they usually run with 7 (and sometimes 6, relying on Wade Belak as an emergency backup), I don't see that happening. Since Franson is expected back any day, however, you'd have to think that a defenseman is on his way out the door, and all signs on that front point to Dan Hamhuis, with a forward coming back in exchange. Otherwise, they would have sent either Franson or Alexander Sulzer down to Milwaukee, without the need to move Jones.
One extra point worth noting is that if moving Jones down to Milwaukee is indeed required for a trade to be completed, we're going to have to wait until tomorrow at noon Eastern to see if his waiver claim goes through, first. So if a big trade is in the works, I doubt we'll see it today.
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