When the Nashville Predators put Jarred Tinordi on waivers Friday, it appeared the 6’6” defender was simply being moved to the Preds’ taxi squad for a short stint.
Welp.
#NHLBruins announce the claiming of D Jarred Tinordi off waivers from Nashville – #wbz @wbz pic.twitter.com/rS0Yc9mKKK
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) February 27, 2021
The Boston Bruins (surprisingly) claimed Tinordi off waivers. Both the Bruins and Predators officially announced the move.
Tinordi joined the Predators organization before the 2018-19 season, and was immediately named captain of the Milwaukee Admirals. Midway through the 2019-20 season, Tinordi earned his first NHL call-up in nearly four calendar years, and to his credit made the most of it. Tinordi played his way into a consistent spot on the Preds’ bottom defensive pair, appearing in 28 regular season games (finishing with a goal and four assists). Tinordi also appeared in all four of the Preds’ play-in round games against the Arizona Coyotes.
However, Tinordi has found playing time harder to come by in 2021. He’s been a perennial healthy scratch, appearing in only seven games this season. His spot in the lineup has essentially been taken by Ben Harpur, another long-time AHL’er who’s enjoying a solid run with the main club this season.
That’s not the only defense-related transaction on the Predators’ board today; This one has a bit more pizazz.
Mattias Ekholm has been activated from the injured reserve, and will likely play in today’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Ekholm hasn’t played since suffering an injury in the February 9th game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. His return provides an instant boost for the Predators’ defense. How long he remains there, however, is another question. Eks has been the center of trade speculation around the NHL, with teams like the Philadelphia reportedly interested, because hey—the Flyers apparently really like expensive Nashville defenders.
We’ll see what happens. But for now, it’s just good to see #14 back on the ice.