Monday, October 26, 2009

Preds Swap Jones for Santorelli with Milwaukee

The Nashville Predators continued their hunt for a hot hand and increased offense by recalling Mike Santorelli from Milwaukee after he had eight points in four games with the Ads. Santorelli's primary contribution with the Preds in the first five games of the season was his shoot-out game winner in the Pred's Opening game in Dallas.

The recall of Santorelli for a potential wing position is somewhat curious considering the Barry Trotz interview with Admiral's Short Shifts where Trotz indicated that Santorelli was better suited for the center position. It will be interesting to see how the line-up shakes out over the next few days.

Ryan Jones, who has appeared to be in Barry Trotz's doghouse all season, was sent to Milwaukee to make room on the roster for Santorelli's return. Jones looked fairly good in the pre-season but has done little in the eight games that he played in the regular season.

Here is the full text of the Predator's Press Release...

NASHVILLE PREDATORS RECALL MIKE SANTORELLI FROM MILWAUKEE
-Assign Jones to the Admirals-

Nashville, Tenn. (October 26, 2009) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has recalled forward Mike Santorelli from Milwaukee (AHL), and reassigned forward Ryan Jones to the Admirals.

Santorelli, 23 (12/14/85), started 2009-10 with the Predators, suiting up for each of the club’s first five games (0g-0a). Upon being reassigned to the Admirals on Oct. 15, he registered eight points (4g-4a) in four games, including five points (1g-4a) in his 2009-10 AHL debut on Oct. 16 at Abbotsford and three goals in two games last weekend. Nashville’s sixth choice, 178th overall (sixth round), in the 2004 Entry Draft is pointless in 12 career NHL contests.

Jones, 25 (6/14/84), played in eight of Nashville’s first 10 games in 2009-10, averaging 9:01 while being held pointless. In 25 AHL games a season ago, he posted 13 goals and 22 points.

The Predators close out a stretch of five consecutive road games on Wednesday night when they travel to Xcel Energy Center to take on the Minnesota Wild (7 p.m., no local television, 104.5 The Zone). The club then returns to Sommet Center ice on Thursday night when the Chicago Blackhawks come to town (7 p.m., FOX Sports Tennessee, 104.5 The Zone). Tickets to this game, and all other regular season contests are on sale and can be purchased by logging onto nashvillepredators.com. Tickets are also available by calling (615) 770-PUCK and at all Ticketmaster locations.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes

No comments: