Today the Nashville Predators announced that defenseman Marc Del Gaizo was reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals. Del Gaizo was called up to travel with the team for the five game western road trip and made his NHL debut in the Predators' 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on November 4. Del Gaizo has started each of the games since then and has three assists and a +2.
Andrew Brunette was complimentary about Del Gaizo's play, even in games where the team didn't have a strong overall performance.
"I thought he's gotten better every game," head coach Andrew Brunette said of Del Gaizo. "I really liked his game in Winnipeg, one of the few guys that I thought played well."
What does this move mean for the blue line?
It's hard to say.
The Predators recalled defenseman Spencer Stastney when they placed forward Tommy Novak on IR, so Stastney could get the start Saturday afternoon against the Chicago Blackhawks. Stastney played eight games late last season for the Predators in which he recorded two assists and a +5. The front office may want to get an early look at Stastney this season, and the 23-year-old may slot into the lineup on Saturday in place of Del Gaizo.
The Predators have been waiting to get two injured veterans back, and Del Gaizo's reassignment may mean one could be returning to the lineup. Barry Trotz was excited to sign Luke Schenn in the offseason, but the 34-year-old veteran only played 15:11 in the opening game of the season before suffering a lower body injury. His absence was expected to last four to six weeks, and head coach Andrew Brunette said earlier this week that his recovery was still within that time frame. Although he hasn't skated yet with the team, Schenn could theoretically be back Saturday.
Ryan McDonagh finished the game against the Seattle Kraken on November 2, but a blocked shot saw him struggle off the ice at one point. Since that game, McDonagh has been listed as day-to-day with a lower body injury and been out of the lineup. Brunette gave an update on Tuesday morning about McDonagh's recovery.
"It's been a little bit static, It hasn't really improved," Brunette said. "It's still day-to-day. We're hoping anytime soon, but just can't seem to get any traction on getting better."
Even with that somewhat discouraging update earlier in the week, there is a chance McDonagh could return to the lineup for Saturday's game although he too has not returned to team practices yet. McDonagh and Schenn are two players the Predators would like to get back in the lineup as quickly as possible for both their strong physical play and for their experience with game management, something Brunette has felt the team has not done well in their recent losses.
When announcing the signing of Schenn back in July, Barry Trotz talked about his experience in the playoffs as the head coach of the New York Islanders and how Schenn was a player who frustrated the Islanders and changed the momentum of games. McDonagh is well known in the locker room for being a calming presence on the ice, something the Predators have also been lacking when it comes to important moments in their games.
While Spencer Stastney has speed and excellent skating skills, the Predators may push to get back one of their injured veterans for Saturday's game. Experience might be key to turning around Nashville's four game losing streak.
We'll have to see what today's practice brings.
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