With AHL training camps getting underway soon, it was common knowledge that the Predators‘ roster was going to be trimmed following the end of Saturday’s double-header action.
Well, mission accomplished, as the team announced they shortened their list to 28 players, which is getting pretty close to the 23 that will open the season on October 9th. No real surprises here, but even though the defense is pretty much set, Johan Alm and Joe Piskula are still hanging around. Don’t read too much into Kevin Fiala being held onto, though. Since he’s planning on going back to Sweden if when he doesn’t make the team, they are likely keeping him until the very last second, which is exactly what they should do.
In other news, Filip Forsberg seems like a lock to make the team, no? And maybe, just maybe, Taylor Beck starts the year if the injuries to Matt Cullen and Viktor Stalberg prolong? We’ll see.
The press release from the Preds:
Nashville, Tenn. (September 27, 2014) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has assigned forwards Pontus Aberg, Viktor Arvidsson, Zach Budish,Patrick Cehlin, Felix Girard, Brendan Leipsic, Miikka Salomaki, Josh Shalla, Colton Sissons, Mark Van Guilder andAustin Watson; defensemen Taylor Aronson, Anthony Bitetto, Jonathan-Ismael Diaby, Garrett Noonan, Jaynen Rissling, Mikko Vainonen; and goaltenders Magnus Hellberg and Marek Mazanec to the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals. The team released forwards Triston Grant, Frederick Gaudreau, Michael Liambas and Joe Pendenza; defensemen Mike Little, Jimmy Oligny and Brian Lee; and goaltender Rob Madore from tryout agreements. Nashville also assigned forward Kevin Henderson to Texas (AHL).
The majority of these players will join the Admirals for the start of their training camp at Ford Ice Center in Antioch, Tennessee, tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. They’ll also skate Tuesday (11 a.m.) and conduct an off-ice workout on Wednesday before departing for Milwaukee.
Nashville’s roster is now at 28 players – 17 forwards, nine defensemen and two goaltenders.
Forwards (17): Taylor Beck, Gabriel Bourque, Rich Clune, Matt Cullen (currently injured), Kevin Fiala, Mike Fisher(currently injured), Filip Forsberg, Paul Gaustad, Calle Jarnkrok, Olli Jokinen, James Neal, Eric Nystrom, Mike Ribeiro, Derek Roy, Craig Smith, Viktor Stalberg (currently injured) and Colin Wilson.
Defensemen (9): Johan Alm, Victor Bartley, Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis, Seth Jones, Roman Josi, Joe Piskula,Anton Volchenkov and Shea Weber.
Goaltenders (2): Carter Hutton and Pekka Rinne.
The Nashville Predators finish out their preseason slate with two games against a former Central Division foe, the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Preds first see the Blue Jackets at home on Monday, Sept. 29 (7 p.m. CT) and then travel to Columbus on Saturday, Oct. 4 (6 p.m.).
The Preds begin the 2014-15 regular season on Bridgestone Arena ice for just the second time in the last seven seasons, hosting the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. CT (FOX Sports Tennessee, 102.5 The Game). Season tickets are still available and start as low as $15 per game. Half season-ticket packages start at just $25 per game and 13 Game Flex Plans allow fans to customize their ticket packages while enjoying season-ticket holder benefits. For more information on purchasing season-ticket or flex packages, preseason or regular season tickets, visit nashvillepredators.com or call 615-770-7800.