Noteworthy Notes: Montreal Calling

Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America

After a disappointing loss to Detroit 5-2 Saturday, the Predators hit the road to Montreal for one more game before the All-Star break this weekend. Though Nashville handled themselves well last Friday against the Washington Capitals with Carter Hutton in net, bringing him in back-to-back the next night proved fatal; though Detroit was on point that night no matter who was guarding Nashville’s net. So, what’s been going on since the defeat?

  • As fast as he came, Anthony Bitetto was reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals after his NHL debut and first career call up. Bitetto tallied 11:01 of ice time for his first shot at the big time.
  • Viktor Stalberg might as well live out of a suitcase due to being reassigned to Milwaukee once again.
  • That being said, Eric Nystrom will make his return after a hiatus on the IR tonight in Montreal.
  • But… that leaves Olli Jokinen out. The lines for yesterday’s practice amongst forwards were: Forsberg-Ribeiro-Smith; Wilson-Fisher-Neal; Cullen-Jarnkrok-Bourque; Nystrom-Gaustad-Beck.
  • Ah, but this morning, practice amongst forwards fell as: Forsberg-Ribeiro-Smith; Wilson-Fisher-Neal; Cullen-Jarnkrok-Bourque; Nystrom-Gaustad-Jokinen with Taylor Beck as the odd man out. All the speculations!
  • Fun Fact: The Predators hold a 6-5-(1)-4 all-time record against the Montreal Canadiens.

WORLD WIDE WORLD OF TWITTER:

Predators Recall Anthony Bitetto

Source: Sarah Fuqua Photography

Source: Sarah Fuqua Photography

Late last night, the Predators slipped in that Anthony Bitetto had been recalled by the organization to join the team on their trip to Detroit. This is young defenseman’s first career NHL call up and is expected to make his NHL debut tonight as well. Here’s an excerpt from the official presser released by the Predators:

Bitetto, 24 (7/15/90), leads Milwaukee defensemen in points (2g-17a-19pts) while appearing in all 38 of the team’s games in 2014-15. During the team’s current six-game winning streak, the Island Park, New York, native has six points (1g-5a), moving him into a tie for eighth among all AHL blueliners in assists, and into the Top 15 League d-men in points. A season ago, his first full campaign at the AHL level, the 6-0, 215-pounder tied for sixth among AHL defensemen in goals (11), and for ninth in power-play goals (6). Nashville’s fourth choice, 168th overall (sixth round), in the 2010 Entry Draft, Bitetto did not miss a game during a two-year collegiate career at Northeastern University (Hockey East) from 2010-12, compiling 35 points (7g-28a) in 72 games, and helped the Indiana Ice win the 2009 Clark Cup as United States Hockey League champions. He is on Twitter @ABitetto7.

Bitetto, a mentioned above, leads the Admirals defencemen in points and has tallied 144 games in a three year span. So, who’s hurt? What was originally called a hand injury sustained by Victor Bartley in last night’s bout with the Capitals, it was deemed at game time to be an injury sustained by Anton Volchenkov. So there you have it.

The Predators hit the ice in Detroit tonight at 6PM, then it’s off to Montreal to take on the Canadiens on Tuesday.

Preds Roster – Pre-Season @ Tampa Bay

c3c4736eda313461a153118a09e33706Preds preseason begins tomorrow *eek* evening at 6:30PM (our time) in Tampa Bay and – earlier today – the Predators released the roster of who will be taking the ice. There is a good number of guys on this roster who are vying for that all-important regular season roster spot and this will be their chance to prove their worth.

FORWARDS:
ForwardsList of Forwards: Paul Gaustad, Taylor Beck, Austin Watson, Craig Smith, Filip Forsberg, Calle Jarnkrok, Derek Roy, James Neal, Viktor Arvidsson, Matt Cullen, Kevin Fiala, Miika Salomaki, Colin Wilson, Vanilla Ice Mike Ribeiro, and Colton Sissons.

DEFENSE:
DefenseList of Defensemen: Roman Josi, Victor Bartley, Seth Jones, Mattias Ekholm (who is now #14), Jonathan-Ismael Diaby, Johan Alm, Anthony Bitetto, and Brian Lee (who is on an Amateur ATO/Professional Tryout Agreement PTO).

GOALTENDERS:
GoaliesList of Goalies: Carter Hutton and Robby Stanley Marek Mazanec.

Being a preseason game, it will not be aired on television. However, the magic of radio makes everything possible and, if you download the iHeart Radio app on your phone, you can listen to the game! When you download the app, just search for radio station 970 WFLA or visit their Twitter: @970wfla