On Monday night, the Nashville Predators lost in overtime to the Ottawa Senators in their final game of a three game road trip. During the second period Alexandre Carrier left the game with an undisclosed injury and did not return for the remainder of the night. Andrew Brunette shuffled the defensive pairings after Carrier headed down the tunnel, but if the 27-year old Quebec native isn't able to play in tomorrow night's game against the L.A. Kings, who is the next man up for the Nashville Predators?
Under normal circumstances, the question would be easily answered by slotting Tyson Barrie back in the line up, but the defenseman has often been a healthy scratch for Nashville and the situation seems...complicated.
It looked like Barrie would be a permanent part of the lineup and an important veteran presence on the blue line for Nashville to start the season, but as December rolled around Barrie became a healthy scratch at times for Andrew Brunette. In early December word leaked out that Barrie had been given permission to talk to other teams. General Manager Barry Trotz expressed his frustration that a private conversation became public and not from the Predators' side. In the handful of games that Barrie has played in December and January, he has struggled defensively, and he's been a healthy scratch for fourteen of the last fifteen games.
For all intents and purposes, it seems that Tyson Barrie's time with the Predators is heading for an inauspicious end but with no takers as of now he remains watching from the press box. Even though the most obvious solution if Carrier is unable to play Wednesday night is to slot Barrie in the lineup, is that what Trotz and Brunette will opt to do?
Already this season the Predators have gotten a good look at two young defensemen who have each been recalled for brief stints from Milwaukee. Marc Del Gaizo made his NHL debut with Nashville on November 4 and played five games with the Preds. The 24-year-old had three assists and a +2 while with Nashville. He has played 33 games for the AHL Milwaukee Admirals this season and scored five goals and 21 points while recording a +15.
Another option is 24-year-old Spencer Stastney. Stastney made his NHL debut at the end of last season when he played eight games in April. This season he was recalled on November 18 and played nine games for the Predators. On November 24 he scored his first NHL goal against St. Louis, but his responsible defensive play and his impressive skating ability showed he could become a regular part of the lineup for the Predators at some point in the near future.
Barry Trotz may want to get another look at Stastney or Del Gaizo, but with just one game before the All Star break Andrew Brunette may end up giving Tyson Barrie one more chance to highlight his skill set for a team interested in adding a veteran defenseman at the deadline. While it may not seem worth it to bring up a young defenseman for one game, but it isn't just any game. The Predators and Kings are currently tied with the St Louis Blues for a wildcard spot, and the game against the Kings feels like it could have potential playoff implications down the road.
There are two questions this morning about the Predators' blue line ahead of tomorrow night. Will Alexandre Carrier be able to play? And if not, will Barry Trotz bank on young talent or give Tyson Barrie one more chance?
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