The Nashville Predators have recalled Kevin Fiala and Cody Bass from Milwaukee.
More moves were imminent after Cody Hodgson, Viktor Arvidsson and Colin Wilson were all removed from the roster today by waivers, assignment and IR, respectively. There is also still a question on how soon Gabriel Bourque can return to the lineup.
Fiala will be seeing his first taste of NHL action this season, after being a surprise cut from training camp. Though he had a rocky start to his year, the 11th overall pick from 2014 has been finding his groove recently. It seemed like he’d be there for much longer than he was, but check out this money quote from David Poile:
Poile on recalling Fiala: “I would’ve been happy to leave Kevin in Milwaukee all year, but desperate times call for desperate measures.”
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) January 13, 2016
If that’s not a wake up to the team, I don’t know what is.
Cody Bass will provide some sandpaper, grit and physicality to the lineup, likely playing a fourth line or healthy scratch role. This is his second call up of the year.
Brace yourselves. It might finally be #FialaTime.
Nashville, Tenn. (January 13, 2016) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Wednesday that the club has recalled forwards Kevin Fiala and Cody Bass from Milwaukee (AHL), reassigned forward Viktor Arvidsson to the Admirals, and placed forward Colin Wilson on Injured Reserve.
Fiala, 19 (7/22/96), has 12 points (4g-8a) in his last 13 games, and is tied for the Admirals team lead in assists (15) and ranks third in points (21) in 34 AHL games this season. The St. Gallen, Switzerland, native has appeared in a pair of contests for the Predators – a 3-2 overtime win against Montreal on March 24, 2015, and in Game Four of the 2015 Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. Chicago, the longest game in franchise history. Nashville’s first choice, 11th overall (first round), in the 2014 Entry Draft, Fiala started the 2014-15 season with HV-71 of the Swedish Hockey League before being assigned to Milwaukee (AHL) following the World Junior Championship, recording 17 points (9g-8a) in his first 26 AHL games.
Bass, 29 (1/7/87), played in his first two games for the Predators on Dec. 1 vs. Arizona and Dec. 3 vs. Florida, going scoreless while averaging 6:31 of ice time. In 21 games for the Admirals this season, the Owen Sound, Ontario, native has five points (1g-4a) and 50 penalty minutes. The 6-foot, 205-pound center has appeared in 51 career NHL games with Nashville, Ottawa (where he was a teammate of Mike Fisher) and Columbus, posting five points (2g-3a) and 71 penalty minutes. Ottawa’s third choice, 95th overall (fourth round), in the 2005 Entry Draft, Bass helped the Binghamton Senators win the 2011 Calder Cup as AHL champions, in addition to winning the 2011 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, as presented annually to the AHL’s man of the year for service to his local community.