Nashville Predators: Daniel Carr Gets Sent to Waivers, Roster at 21 Players

Another roster move has been made by the Nashville Predators as they have put Daniel Carr on waivers in a somewhat surprising move.

Don’t ever fall in love with a particular Nashville Predators lineup for too long, because odds are it will change pretty quickly. At least that’s how it seems in the early going of this new season. Daniel Carr is the latest roster casualty as he’s being sent to waivers, putting the roster at 21 players. GM David Poile told 102.5 the Game:

There are two spots open now on the NHL roster. That leaves room for players to be called up from the Milwaukee Admirals, or make a free agent signing. Calling up a player from Milwaukee seems like the more likely scenario to stem from the move to put Carr on waivers.

Carr still has some opportunities left on his horizon, if he clears waivers or not. I’d be surprised if a team doesn’t snatch him up, meaning his time with the Nashville Predators might be over. It’s more of an indictment on how deep and competitive this Predators roster is, and not so much about him not playing well enough.

How did Carr look with the Predators?

Carr played in the last two games, and was unable to register a point on the fourth line. The Predators have been experimenting with combination to make their fourth line the best it can be. When Rocco Grimaldi went out with a lower-body injury, it gave Carr an opportunity to make an impact. Brooks Bratten from the Predators website says that Peter Laviolette expects Grimaldi to return in the next game:

This was a challenging spot to ask Carr to succeed in. It’s early in the season, and he’s coming on a fourth line that has not built any chemistry. He saw time with Kyle Turris and Craig Smith. Two veterans who have had success in this league, but this unit collectively didn’t find much.

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Carr didn’t see much time on the ice to make his impact, either. Less than ten minutes of average ice time, so the sample size is very small. He’s going to get a better opportunity on a team that needs him much more than the Predators do. If he does clear waivers, then it might not be the last time we see him in a Predators uniform. Maybe later in the season if another injury occurs.

This move definitely comes at somewhat of a surprise. I thought Carr would’ve gotten a few more games to show his worth. Perhaps he clears waivers, but the Predators must be content with the possibility of losing him in favor of calling up someone else. Interesting move nonetheless from GM David Poile.

What’s the next move?

This move is probably making room for both Grimaldi to return to the lineup, and for another roster addition to occur. The Predators have room for two more players. After bringing Grimaldi back from injury, who’s the final player to be added?

It comes down to a couple players in Milwaukee for me. Two players that everyone knows a lot about and are hoping get called up sooner rather than later. Those two are Eeli Tolvanen and Rem Pitlick. Both had productive offseasons, especially Tolvanen.

Tolvanen hasn’t been able to surge into the NHL as quickly as some would’ve liked. It’s been a gradual process getting him ready for NHL-level hockey, but he’s definitely showing progress. He has three games he’s already player with Milwaukee this season in the AHL, with a goal and an assist. He’s also got a shooting percentage of over 11 and nine shots on goal.

Pitlick has been held quiet in three games with Milwaukee so far this season. Just one assist and two shots on goal. He’s another player that is widely believed will eventually get his NHL opportunity this season. If not now through this move, then at some point later on.

Tolvanen is the prime candidate to take this final roster spot to put it at the maximum of 23 players. He’s another power play weapon, and could even eventually be moved to the top line. The Predators top line still isn’t solidified after being broken up in favor of matching up Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene. That move has proven to be successful early on, but the importance in finding the right combination for the top line is growing.