Preds prospect finally gets his NHL debut after a very long wait.

The Nashville Predators have had some really bad luck during the course of the 2018 - 2019 National Hockey League regular season when it comes to injuries but their bad fortune appears to have produced a positive result for one of their current players.

According to a report from Nashville Predators insider Adam Vingan of the Tennessean, there is now an expectation that 25 year old center Colin Blackwell will finally make his NHL debut. It's unclear if Blackwell is expected to hit the ice tonight against the Florida Panthers but given the time of his call up to the main roster as well as the timing of Vingan's report it does appear as though he will suit up for that particular contents. 

Although this is obviously terrific news for Blackwell the circumstances under which the move is being made are anything but good for the Predators themselves. According to Vingan the injury to notorious veteran Zac Rinaldo as well as the recent suspension to Ryan Johansen are what have paved the road to n NHL debut for Blackwell. Of course that is not the way that Blackwell would want to make the team but after waiting nearly 8 years since being drafted to get into the league I highly doubt he will be bothered by it in any way. Unfortunately for Blackwell however this likely means that his stay at the NHL level will be very short lived unless he blows all expectations out of the water.

Blackwell was drafted in the 7th round (194th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks but he has failed to make the NHL roster in any of the organizations for whom he has played. That being said he has played against NHL competition before by participating in some of the Nashville Predators' pre season games. This season was no exception with Blaclwell appearing in the pre season but failing to make the main roster once the cuts were being made.

Through 14 games in the AHL this season he has 7 goals and no assists for a total of 7 points and a plus minus rating of -9 on the season.

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