Saturday, October 22, 2011

Mattias Ekholm Makes a Poor Decision and Chooses Europe over Milwaukee

The Nashville Predators announced that they have assigned Mattias Ekholm to Brynas IF of the Elitserien (Swedish Elite League).

It is not surprising that Mattias Ekholm has been removed from the Nashville Predators roster after Coach Barry Trotz raked him over the coals after Thursday's 5-1 loss in Vancouver. It is very troubling that he chose to go to Europe instead of accepting an assignment to Milwaukee of the AHL.

Before the season started David Poile explained that it was very important for the young defenseman to play in North America this season. He indicated that if he returned to Europe's larger rink and style of play that he would face the same challenges in camp next season and possibly be no more NHL ready than he is today.

Is it possible that Ekholm has played the only two games that he will ever play in Nashville, or even the NHL? It's something that has to be considered, especially since this choice does not fit the mold of "The Predator Way."

Make the jump for the full release from the Predators...

PREDATORS ASSIGN MATTIAS EKHOLM TO BRYNAS

Nashville, Tenn. (October 22, 2011) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced tonight that the club has assigned defenseman Mattias Ekholm to Brynas IF of the Elitserien (Swedish Elite League).

Ekholm, 21 (5/24/90), suited up for two of Nashville’s first six regular season games – his first action in North America – going pointless while averaging 12:25 of ice time. The 6-4, 204-pound blueliner will be playing his second season with Brynas in 2011-12 after posting 33 points (10g-23a) in 55 games in 2010-11 en route to winning the Swedish Elite League Rookie of the Year award.

The Nashville Predators wind down a six-day/three-game tour of Western Canada this afternoon in Calgary (3 p.m. on FOX Sports Tennessee, 102.5 The Game) before kicking off a three-game home stand on Tuesday when the San Jose Sharks come calling (7 p.m. on FSTN, 102.5 The Game). It is a Daily’s Super Tuesday Game, where fans can purchase two upper level tickets for $49 or two lower level tickets for $99. The week continues with games on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks (both games at 7 p.m. on 102.5 The Game). Limited tickets for next week’s games are still available and can be purchased by visiting nashvillepredators.com, ticketmaster.com or by calling 615-770-PUCK (7825).

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

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