Predators Reduce Roster to 38 after 2-1 Loss to Caps

The Nashville Predators announced another round of roster reductions shortly after their game with the Washington Capitals on Saturday night.

In his post game comments, Trotz indicated that he first three exhibition games were part of the evaluation process. These cuts will allow more focus on the players that will be with the team throughout the course of the season.

Milwaukee's camp opens Monday and eleven of the players will report there.

Here is the release in its entirety.

PREDATORS REDUCE TRAINING CAMP ROSTER TO 38
-Club sends 11 to Milwaukee and Beck to Juniors-

Nashville, Tenn. (September 25, 2010) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced tonight that the club has assigned forwards Gabriel Bourque, Ryan Flynn, Mark Santorelli and Ryan Thang; defensemen Jonathon Blum and Roman Josi; and goaltender Jeremy Smith to Milwaukee (AHL). The Predators also sent forward Taylor Beck back to his junior team (Guelph, OHL) and released forwards Chris Mueller and Mark Van Guilder, and defensemen Scott Ford and Scott Lehman from Professional Tryout Agreements (PTOs).

The transactions leave Nashville’s Training Camp roster at 38 players – 22 forwards, 12 defensemen and four goaltenders. Players by position currently participating in camp are as follows:

FORWARDS (22): Jonas Andersson, Wade Belak, J.P. Dumont, Martin Erat, Blake Geoffrion, Marcel Goc, Matt Halischuk, Patric Hornqvist, Linus Klasen, Sergei Kostitsyn, David Legwand, Matthew Lombardi, Jamie Lundmark, Cal O'Reilly, Jerred Smithson, Nick Spaling, Steve Sullivan, Andreas Thuresson, Jordin Tootoo, Joel Ward, Colin Wilson and Kelsey Wilson.

DEFENSEMEN (12): Francis Bouillon, Ryan Ellis, Cody Franson, Aaron Johnson, Kevin Klein, Teemu Laakso, Grant Lewis, Brett Palin, Ryan Parent, Alexander Sulzer, Ryan Suter and Shea Weber.

GOALTENDERS (4): Mark Dekanich, Anders Lindback, Chet Pickard and Pekka Rinne.

The second annual Preds Fest, a fan-appreciation celebration to mark the start of the hockey season in Smashville, continues through Monday’s preseason contest against Nashville’s closest geographical rival, the Atlanta Thrashers (7 p.m., WBUZ 102.9-FM The Buzz). On Sunday from 3:30-5 p.m., there will be a free public skating session at Bridgestone Arena, and Preds Fest concludes with Community Night during Monday’s game, with local non-profit organizations set up around the main concourse to inform fans of the inspiring work they are doing in and around Nashville. Visit nashvillepredators.com/predsfest for more details.

The regular season in Smashville kicks off on Oct. 9 vs. the Anaheim Ducks. All fans in attendance will receive an Opening Night t-shirt courtesy of Bridgestone. Tickets may be purchased at the Bridgestone Arena box office, by calling (615) 770-PUCK (7825) or online via Ticketmaster.com or nashvillepredators.com.

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass