As Pekka Rinne continues his long road back to game-readiness after four months missed due to a hip infection, the Nashville Predators have assigned him to the Milwaukee Admirals on a Conditioning Assignment this afternoon. Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL and its players, such an assignment allows veteran players to get some work in the AHL without having to worry about waivers, and can last up to two weeks.
From the team’s statement:
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that goaltender Pekka Rinne has been sent to the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals on a conditioning assignment. The Admirals play home games on Friday vs. the Iowa Wild (7 p.m. CT) and Sunday against the Rochester Americans (3 p.m. CT).
Earlier today head coach Barry Trotz hinted that if all goes well, Rinne could play for the Predators during their current homestand, which runs through March 8 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. That leaves time for Rinne to get at least a couple games under his belt with the Admirals to see how ready he is, both physically and mentally.