Preds' blueliners to see competition - Nashville, Tennessee - Tuesday, 02/13/07 - Tennessean.com
The addition of defenseman Vitali Vishnevski over the weekend should make life a little more competitive for Nashville's blueliners.
The Predators have carried just six defensemen for most of the season, meaning players didn't have to look over their shoulder following poor games. That's not the case with seven defensemen now on the roster.
"On the back end, all six guys really knew they were going to be in," Coach Barry Trotz said. "There was no pressure on them to perform at any high level — other than them being good pros.
"This should create some healthy competition. For the first time, one of the 'D' will sit out either because of (their) play, the opposition or coach's choice. Everyone's got to be accountable."
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Vishnevski, who led Atlanta with 128 hits in 52 games, made his Predators practice debut on Monday. Defensemen rotated during drills, so it wasn't clear who he'll be paired with Wednesday when the Predators play host to San Jose.
Should the Predators choose to sit Greg Zanon, who has the least amount of NHL experience among the blueliners, it's possible Vishnevski would be paired with Ryan Suter.
Vishnevski also has played the last four or five seasons on the left side, while Suter has played most of this season on the right side.
"That's up to the coach — I just want to play hockey," Vishnevski said. "I'm just going to be a physical player like I (have been)."