Predators Reassign Defenseman Aaron Johnson to Milwaukee

The Nashville Predators officially assigned defenseman Aaron Johnson to the Milwaukee Admirals this morning. Johnson passed through waivers and was unclaimed yesterday. He did participate in Monday's practice at Centennial Sportsplex.

The Predators now have 25 men on their roster that needs to be pared down to 23 by 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Both Sergei Kostitsyn and Jamie Lundmark have been slowed by injury and have not practiced recently. They could be shifted to the Injured Reserve list to take the Predators to the required number.

Here is the full release from the Predators...

PREDATORS ASSIGN AARON JOHNSON TO MILWAUKEE
-Roster now sits at 25-

Nashville, Tenn. (October 5, 2010) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has assigned defenseman Aaron Johnson to Milwaukee of the American Hockey League. The transaction leaves Nashville’s roster at 25 players – 16 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders. All NHL teams must set their Opening Day player rosters (23-player maximum) by Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. CT.

Players position currently on the roster:

FORWARDS (16): Jonas Andersson, Wade Belak, J.P. Dumont, Martin Erat, Marcel Goc, Patric Hornqvist, Sergei Kostitsyn, David Legwand, Matthew Lombardi, Jamie Lundmark, Cal O'Reilly, Jerred Smithson, Steve Sullivan, Jordin Tootoo, Joel Ward, Colin Wilson.

DEFENSEMEN (7): Francis Bouillon, Cody Franson, Kevin Klein, Ryan Parent, Alexander Sulzer, Ryan Suter, Shea Weber.

GOALTENDERS (2): Anders Lindback and Pekka Rinne.

The Predators kick off the 2010-11 campaign this Saturday with Opening Night in Smashville when they take on the Anaheim Ducks at 7 p.m. CT (102.9-FM The Buzz, FOX Sports Tennessee). Festivities begin at 4 p.m. with the players and coaches walking the red carpet on the plaza. Live music, games, free ice cream provided by Purity and a special arrival by mascot GNASH will follow. The Predators new flagship radio station, 102.9 The Buzz, will also be broadcasting live from Bridgestone Arena all day.

More Later....

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass