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With Patric Hornqvist coming off Injured Reserve today someone had to move to make room on the 23-man Active Roster, and for today that someone is defenseman Ryan Ellis.
Despite boasting the best puck-possession numbers among Predators defensemen, he hasn't produced as many points as had been hoped, especially on the power play. Since the Preds had 8 defensemen on the roster, perhaps this provides the easiest area to make a move. Jonathon Blum stands to gain from Ellis's absence, inheriting his spot on the right side of the third defense pair, along with secondary PP work.
Here's the Predators' statement:
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has reassigned defenseman Ryan Ellis to Milwaukee (AHL) and activated forward Patric Hornqvist from Injured Reserve.
Ellis, 22 (1/3/91), has six points (2g-4a) in 31 games with the Predators this season. He started 2012-13 with the Admirals, posting nine points (2g-7a) in 20 games.
Hornqvist, 26 (1/1/87), has eight points (3g-5a) in 14 games this season. He missed 10 games from Jan. 28 to Feb. 16 with a lower-body injury, and has missed the past eight with an upper-body ailment.