Bad news on the injury front, as James Neal moves from “day-to-day” to just plain broke. Eric Nystrom will join him on the IR, meaning there’s some free space on the big club which will be filled by Miikka Salomaki. You may remember his call-up last weekend that ended in a paid trip to SoCal and not much else, but I think he might actually see the ice this time around.
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has recalled forward Miikka Salomaki (MEE-kah SA-loh-MA-kee) from Milwaukee (AHL) and placed forwards James Neal and Eric Nystrom on Injured Reserve.
Salomaki, 21 (3/9/93), has 16 points (5g-11a) and 26 penalty minutes in 29 games for the Admirals this season, in addition to ranking among the AHL’s Top 10 forwards in plus/minus rating (+13). In his first North American professional season in 2013-14, the 5-11, 211-pound Raahe, Finland, native led Milwaukee in points (20g-30a-50pts) while tying for fifth among AHL rookies in points, and for seventh among first-year AHLers in assists. Nashville’s second choice, 52nd overall (second round), in the 2011 Entry Draft, has yet to appear in an NHL contest.