First rounder gets scratched despite team’s success!

Wow, the message has been sent!

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
First rounder gets scratched despite team’s success!
Zuma Press

The Nashville Predators responded to their first loss of the season with five straight wins and could be inspired to do the same - or even better - after losing their latest contest at the hands of the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night. While their 7-2-0 record remains impressive, it seems like head coach Peter Laviolette is not afraid to hurt or piss off some players in the process to make sure his team remains on top and a true Stanley Cup contender all season long. 


On Thursday, as the Preds are getting ready to face the impressive New Jersey Devils on Friday night, it was clear that Laviolette was sending a message to his former first rounder Kevin Fiala, who does not seem to be inspired by his club’s success… 

According to team insider John Glennon of The Athletic John Glennon, Laviolette is making Fiala a healthy scratch for the contest as he was the extra skater on the lines rushes on Thursday. As Glennon bluntly states: “Fiala is getting a second kick in the pants in the season’s first 10 games!”


Below is the Predators projected lineup on the session that took place this morning at Prudential Center:  

*Forwards*
 Filip Forsberg  -  Ryan Johansen  -  Viktor Arvidsson 
 Rocco Grimaldi  -  Kyle Turris  -  Craig Smith 
 Zac Rinaldo  -  Nick Bonino  -  Ryan Hartman 
 Calle Jarnkrok  -  Colton Sissons  -  Miikka Salomaki  /  Kevin Fiala 

*Defense*
 Roman Josi  -  Ryan Ellis 
 Mattias Ekholm  -  P.K. Subban 
 Anthony Bitetto  /  Matt Irwin  -  Yannick Weber 

*Goaltenders*

Juuse Saros 
Troy Grosenick 

Grimaldi was recalled to the big club on Thursday. The forward has been tearing it up in the American Hockey League, collecting 11 points through eight games this season. It sure looks like the kid will get his first taste of NHL action of the 2018-19 season. 

The Predators still feature 13 other healthy forwards at the moment, but it seemed important for the Predators and Laviolette to send a message to Fiala and place him in the press box for the contest. 

In nine games this season, Fiala has only managed to score a single goal, to which he added just an assist. He also tallied six penalty minutes and has a -4 rating since the start of the season. 

The Predators have maintained success despite losing star goalie Pekka Rinne to injury late last week... And unfortunately for Fiala, we kind of have to blame him here as well, don't we? 

The Predators placed goalie Pekka Rinne on injured reserve after he left Friday's game early. Rinne's injury occurred in the third period of the Predators' game against the Calgary Flames; rival forward Sam Bennett made a deke move as he was going towards the net and as Rinne made the quick move to slide out of the net to prevent a goal, he collide with his teammate, you've guessed it, Fiala... and to make things worse, Bennett scored on the play.

A Predators trainer came to the ice to attend to Rinne, but he stayed in the game, however, it was too late, the starting goalie was injured. Good thing Saros has been impressive for his team in the meantime. 

Source: Twitter