Instant Analysis

Today’s goaltender move – recalling Mark Dekanich from the AHL and reassigning Anders Lindback to the AHL – is primarily about playing time. Lindback is just 22-years old and is in the midst of his first season in North America. With Pekka Rinne on a roll, the Preds haven’t utilized a second goaltender much over the past month and half. “We can’t forget that we’re still in development phase with Anders and it’s important for his development that he play hockey,” Preds goaltending coach Mitch Korn said. “We don’t want Anders totally watching and we have to make sure he’s ready when we need him. Also, anything that happens like this needed to be done before the Trade Deadline (Feb. 28), so we really have a small window to work with. Add all that together and this was really the last good time we had to do it.” Also, not to be overlooked is the way Dekanich has played this season. He’s developed into one of the AHL’s elite netminders. Both Dekanich and Lindback battled competitively during Training Camp for the NHL roster spot. Initially there was talk of rotating the two goaltenders between the AHL and NHL all season, but Lindback was so strong when he got the opportunity to play that he made it too tough for the Preds to send him down, but now that Rinne has started 13 of the last 14 games the need arose to get Lindback game action. --Jay Levin, NashvillePredators.com

Nashville, Tenn. (February 22, 2011) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has assigned rookie goaltender Anders Lindback (AHN-dehrs LIND-bahck) to Milwaukee (AHL) and recalled goaltender Mark Dekanich (MAHRK DEH-kuh-nihtch) from the Admirals.

Dekanich, 24 (5/10/86), will be making his fourth appearance on the Predators roster this season. He spent a week with the team from Oct. 10-17 and made his NHL debut on Dec. 18 vs. Los Angeles during his second recall, stopping 22-of-25 shots in 50 minutes of action. He spent 24 hours on the roster this past weekend, but did not dress for a game. A 2011 AHL All-Star, Dekanich is tied for third in the American League save percentage (.929), ranked fourth in goals-against average (2.04) and is tied for sixth in wins (20).

Lindback, 22 (5/3/88), has posted a 10-5-2 record, a .914 save percentage, a 2.58 goals-against average and a pair of shutouts for the Predators in 2010-11, his first season in North America. This is the Gavle, Sweden’s first assignment to the Admirals.

The Predators finished off their recent four-game home stand, going 2-1-1, and will now make a quick trip to the Buckeye State to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday (6 p.m., FOX Sports Tennessee, 102.9 The Buzz) before returning home to face-off against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday (7 p.m.. FOX Sports Tennessee, 102.9 The Buzz). Thursday’s game is a College Night, where students showing their college IDs at the Bridgestone Arena box office will receive a $10 upper level ticket or a $25 lower level ticket. For every ticket purchased through this special, Best Buy will give you a $10 NAPSTER gift card. Tickets for both home games are still available and may be purchased at the Bridgestone Arena box office, by calling (615) 770-PUCK (7825) or online at nashvillepredators.com.