The Predators have recalled goaltender Marek Mazanec from the Milwaukee Admirals under “emergency conditions” this rainy Monday morning. Forward Eric Nystrom has been placed on Injured Reserve to make room for the addition.
What has necesitated this move appears to be an injury to Carter Hutton, so rest easy… Rinne is fine:
Injury necessitating this is to Carter Hutton https://t.co/qFQsEBn7Rw
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 9, 2015
From the Predators website:
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Monday that the club has recalled goaltender Marek Mazanec from Milwaukee (AHL) on emergency conditions and placed forward Eric Nystrom on Injured Reserve.
Mazanec, 24 (7/18/91), has played in five games for the Admirals this season, posting a 2-2-1 record with a 3.09 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. In his most recent start on Saturday at Rockford, he stopped 33-of-35 shots as Milwaukee won its third straight game, 3-2 in overtime. The Pisek, Czech Republic native has played in 27 career NHL games – all with Nashville – since his first North American professional season in 2013-14, posting an 8-11-4 record, two shutouts, a 2.76 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. The 6-foot-4, 202-pound netminder played the fifth-most minutes of any rookie NHL netminder (1,369:32) during the 2013-14 campaign and was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for November 2013 after going 5-4-1 with two shutouts, a 2.00 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage.
Nashville’s ninth choice, 179th overall (sixth round), in the 2012 Entry Draft, Mazanec is a right-handed catching goaltender; only three right-handed catching goalies have appeared in the NHL this season (Philadelphia’s Steve Mason, Calgary’s Jonas Hiller and Winnipeg’s Michael Hutchinson).
The Nashville Predators play the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. as they continue a five-game home stand (TV: Fox Sports Tennessee; Radio: 102.5 The Game). Tuesday’s game is a Nissan Tuesday where fans can purchase a pair of Upper Bowl tickets for $60, or a pair of Lower Bowl tickets for $120, and receive a free Gold car flag. Tickets to Tuesday’s contest – as well as the other three remaining games of the home stand against Toronto (Thursday), Winnipeg (Saturday) and Anaheim (Nov. 17) – are limited and available by visiting NashvillePredators.com or by calling 615-770-7800.
While Maz’s numbers with the Ads so far this year may leave something to be desired, his upside is key here. The 2012 6th round draft pick has always been a focus of trade-talks and a fan-favorite for backup goalie honors. And with a Hutton injury looming, it might as well be time for Mazanec to get the call behind Rinne.
As for Eric Nystrom… Ehhh, ok. More chances for Salomaki and Arvidsson!