General Manager David Poile has been busy today.
Now official — but first reported by Pierre LeBrun — the Nashville Predators have re-acquired forward Cody McLeod in exchange for a seventh round pick in 2020.
“We have dearly missed in our locker room since we lost him to waivers last year,” Poile said in his press conference. “I won’t speak for our players but I’m sure when you ask them, later today or tomorrow, they’re going to be super excited to have Cody back.”
Nashville initially acquired McLeod from the Colorado Avalanche on January 13, 2017 just weeks after captain Mike Fisher made some public statements about how the team lacked toughness and grit. During the middle of last season, McLeod wasn’t finding time in the lineup as frequently as he’d like and, in an effort to send him to their minor league affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League, he was exposed to waivers and, subsequently picked up by the Rangers on January 25 of last year.
Poile and the Preds were quick to say they didn’t want to lose the 12-year veteran via the waiver wire.
“It’s hard sometimes to place an exact value on the intangibles a player like Cody brings to the team,” Poile added. “He’s so vocal, his presence in the locker room is unbelievable, he’s an experienced pro who steps up whatever he’s asked to do so I think this will be a very popular add to our team, especially for our players.”
The big question now, however, is what happens next? Most likely — with the acquisition of Brian Boyle earlier today — Colin Blackwell gets reassigned to Milwaukee and Freddie Gaudreau probably comes out of the regular lineup. But what about Zac Rinaldo? Wasn’t he supposed to be the deterrent? He was but Poile confirmed during his press conference that Rinaldo will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
McLeod becomes the 15th “recycled player” in the 21-year history of the Predators franchise.
