Predators reassign Niskala and Rinne to Milwaukee
Friday, 09.28.2007 / 5:09 PM
/ News
By Press Release
- Nashville Predators
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Nashville Predators Executive Vice President/General Manager David Poile announced following today’s practice that the club has reassigned forwards defenseman Janne Niskala and goaltender Pekka Rinne to the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League.
A total of 16 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders remain in Predators camp, which wraps up Oct. 3, the day before the regular-season opener against Colorado.
The Predators play their preseason finale tomorrow night against Columbus at the Sommet Center. Puck drop is slated for tomorrow night at 7 p.m. All times are subject to change.
Other news and notes…
Gelinas injures hand: During team-building activities at Fort Campbell, Ky., on Wednesday, Martin Gelinas – when diving into a mud hole – sliced his hand on a rock causing a gash that required 15 stitches to sew up. Though he is not playing in tomorrow night’s contest, Gelinas is expected to get back on the ice at the beginning of next week and will be ready for the season opener against Colorado on Thursday at the Sommet Center.
Expected line combinations: With the reassignment of Niskala and Rinne, lines for both tomorrow night’s preseason finale and next Thursday’s regular-season opener are coming together. At practice Friday, David Legwand skated with Jed Ortmeyer and Martin Erat, while Jason Arnott was flanked by J.P. Dumont and Vernon Fiddler in what looks to be the Preds top-two lines. Jordin Tootoo practiced with Scott Nichol and Darcy Hordichuk, and Alexander Radulov went with Radek Bonk and Jerred Smithson. Martin Gelinas did not skate due to his hand injury, while Kevin Klein is still on the shelf with a separated shoulder.
On defense, the pairings looked like this: Shea Weber-Dan Hamhuis, Marek Zidlicky-Ryan Suter, Greg de Vries-Greg Zanon, and Ville Koistinen-Janne Niskala.
Also at practice…: The team finished practice with a spirited shootout competition that came down to Martin Erat and Scott Nichol squaring off for breakaway supremacy. Nichol snuck a quick wrist shot from the slot past Chris Mason, and Erat was stoned by the goaltender, leaving the 5-9, 175-pound centerman as champion for a day.
“Meet the Team” Party draws 4,000 season ticketholders: With close to 4,000 season ticketholders in attendance at the Sommet Center, the Predators took place in the annual “Meet the Team” Party Thursday night. The evening gave fans the opportunity to briefly meet their favorite team members in addition to getting autographs and pictures. Tours of the locker room, free food from the concession stand and deals at the pro shop were some of the other things offered for these loyal fans.
Upcoming team events: With the regular season slated to start Thursday, several organizations are holding Predators season kickoff parties in the coming days. Among them are the Save The Predators party and the Nashville Sports Council Faceoff Luncheon, both at the Wildhorse Saloon located at 120 Second Avenue in downtown Nashville.
On Oct. 1, Save The Predators, Inc., will host its party from 7:00 – 10:30 p.m. Paul McCann, Predators' public address announcer, will emcee the festivities. The event will feature music by bands Goodchild, Townsend/O'Donnell and The Karg Boys, line dancing lessons from a surprise instructor and a #1 FAN contest with a prize valued at $500.00. A silent auction of Predators' memorabilia and other exciting items will be on hand as well.
Less than 24 hours later on Oct. 2, head coach Barry Trotz and several Preds players will highlight the ninth Comcast Spotlight Predators Faceoff Luncheon. Registration for the event opens at 10:30 a.m., and it runs from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The luncheon is open to the public, with admission being $35 per person. Admission for Sports Council Silver and Bronze members is $25, while the event is free for Platinum and Gold members. Those present will have the opportunity to win door prizes, including Predators memorabilia and two round-trip Southwest Airlines tickets.
A total of 16 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders remain in Predators camp, which wraps up Oct. 3, the day before the regular-season opener against Colorado.
The Predators play their preseason finale tomorrow night against Columbus at the Sommet Center. Puck drop is slated for tomorrow night at 7 p.m. All times are subject to change.
Other news and notes…
Gelinas injures hand: During team-building activities at Fort Campbell, Ky., on Wednesday, Martin Gelinas – when diving into a mud hole – sliced his hand on a rock causing a gash that required 15 stitches to sew up. Though he is not playing in tomorrow night’s contest, Gelinas is expected to get back on the ice at the beginning of next week and will be ready for the season opener against Colorado on Thursday at the Sommet Center.
Expected line combinations: With the reassignment of Niskala and Rinne, lines for both tomorrow night’s preseason finale and next Thursday’s regular-season opener are coming together. At practice Friday, David Legwand skated with Jed Ortmeyer and Martin Erat, while Jason Arnott was flanked by J.P. Dumont and Vernon Fiddler in what looks to be the Preds top-two lines. Jordin Tootoo practiced with Scott Nichol and Darcy Hordichuk, and Alexander Radulov went with Radek Bonk and Jerred Smithson. Martin Gelinas did not skate due to his hand injury, while Kevin Klein is still on the shelf with a separated shoulder.
On defense, the pairings looked like this: Shea Weber-Dan Hamhuis, Marek Zidlicky-Ryan Suter, Greg de Vries-Greg Zanon, and Ville Koistinen-Janne Niskala.
Also at practice…: The team finished practice with a spirited shootout competition that came down to Martin Erat and Scott Nichol squaring off for breakaway supremacy. Nichol snuck a quick wrist shot from the slot past Chris Mason, and Erat was stoned by the goaltender, leaving the 5-9, 175-pound centerman as champion for a day.
“Meet the Team” Party draws 4,000 season ticketholders: With close to 4,000 season ticketholders in attendance at the Sommet Center, the Predators took place in the annual “Meet the Team” Party Thursday night. The evening gave fans the opportunity to briefly meet their favorite team members in addition to getting autographs and pictures. Tours of the locker room, free food from the concession stand and deals at the pro shop were some of the other things offered for these loyal fans.
Upcoming team events: With the regular season slated to start Thursday, several organizations are holding Predators season kickoff parties in the coming days. Among them are the Save The Predators party and the Nashville Sports Council Faceoff Luncheon, both at the Wildhorse Saloon located at 120 Second Avenue in downtown Nashville.
On Oct. 1, Save The Predators, Inc., will host its party from 7:00 – 10:30 p.m. Paul McCann, Predators' public address announcer, will emcee the festivities. The event will feature music by bands Goodchild, Townsend/O'Donnell and The Karg Boys, line dancing lessons from a surprise instructor and a #1 FAN contest with a prize valued at $500.00. A silent auction of Predators' memorabilia and other exciting items will be on hand as well.
Less than 24 hours later on Oct. 2, head coach Barry Trotz and several Preds players will highlight the ninth Comcast Spotlight Predators Faceoff Luncheon. Registration for the event opens at 10:30 a.m., and it runs from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The luncheon is open to the public, with admission being $35 per person. Admission for Sports Council Silver and Bronze members is $25, while the event is free for Platinum and Gold members. Those present will have the opportunity to win door prizes, including Predators memorabilia and two round-trip Southwest Airlines tickets.
