The Nashville Predators are back in town for one game before going up to Canada for the weekend. Right now there’s an elephant in the room among other updates before the puck is dropped against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Defenseman Tyson Barrie has missed two games as a healthy scratch as head coach Andrew Brunette would like to see the veteran pick up his performance. Before facing Tampa Bay Barrie addressed the media concerning his permission to seek a trade.
“Well, if we’re getting into it, I’m in the stands so it doesn’t really feel like a great fit,” Barrie said after Thursday’s morning skate. “My goal is to be playing hockey. Whether that’s here or elsewhere is up for the powers that be to decide.
“It was obviously disappointing for me and tough. But they were respectful. We both have respect for each other as people and human beings. It was never contentious. We maybe didn’t see eye-to-eye on some of the Xs and Os but nothing crazy.”
So far this season Barrie has 10 assists in 23 games played. He joined the Predators last season prior to the trade deadline.
Brunette hasn’t had an issue with Barrie’s request going public. General manager Barry Trotz said on Stillman & Company on Tuesday that he was “disappointed” in how the news has been spread to this point.
“With Tyson, he’s been a pro and that’s all you can ask for as long as there’s not a disruption in the locker room,” Brunette said. “I look at more of what’s best for the group. Tyson has been a pro he’s not just played up to my expectations of him. I hope maybe this re-energizes him. I believe there’s more there and we’ll try to find a way to get more out of him.”
When seeing the lineup during Thursday’s practice both Mark Jankowski and Liam Foudy were not present. Brunette said Jankowski will go back to Milwaukee and Foudy will go as well if he clears waivers.
“Tough coming in when we already have guys as the extra [player]. He brings speed and I’d like to see him go down there and get a little more finish and get a little stronger. If he clears I’m really excited to have him in the organization. I really like the kid and I really like his speed,” Brunette said of Foudy.
Foudy was claimed by the Predators back on Oct. 21 and if another team claims him it would have to be the Columbus Blue Jackets since that was the original team that placed him on waivers almost seven weeks ago.
This pending transaction comes as both Cody Glass and Tommy Novak were on the ice for practice on Thursday. Glass said he still needs some time with his injury while Novak could be back in against the Lightning. Novak skated with Juuso Pärssinen and Luke Evangelista in hopes of making his return after missing the last 11 games.
“I think Novak depending on when I go back and see how his [injury] has healed. If he feels better I think he’ll go,” Brunette said. “He creates chances all the time. Probably one of our more creative players so excited to have him since he solidifies our lineup a little bit more. He’s pretty deadly on the powerplay and five on five.”
According to the NHL’s Media website, Novak came off the injured reserve right before 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Now that Nashville is looking as close to being 100% again captain Roman Josi is also taking on a new role playing to the right of Ryan McDonagh on the top defensive pairing. They’ve been seen together for the last eight games since McDonagh returned from a lower-body injury.
“The offensive side of the game I feel more comfortable on the right side,” Josi said. “First of all shooting, a lot of the times you’re set up for one-timers in the offensive zone. Whenever you get to the middle you’re always on your forehand. On the offensive side, it benefits my game more. There’s times where you get stuck back a little bit in the defensive zone. I would say I’m more comfortable on the right now.”
The Swiss native hasn’t had to make too many adjustments in how he plays his game but going for pucks in the defensive corners is a part that hasn’t changed for him.
Josi does think the competition among his teammates on defense is good. So far he and Jeremy Lauzon are the only players who have not been scratched or out with an injury this season.
“It speaks for everyone in here. We have a really good defensive corps,” Josi said. “A lot of guys have been in and out. What you learn over the years is you need everyone and everyone has a big impact on this team and obviously it’s not always easy for guys to be out of the lineup. Everyone here is capable of playing well so it’s kind of nice to have that many great defensemen.”
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of Nashville Predators
Comments