GM David Poile addressed Filip Forsberg's return and the Phil Tomasino rumor that the young forward was returning to Milwaukee on Robby & Rexrode from 102.5 The Game.
It is a tenuous time in Nashville as the Predators lost an important game against Central Division rival Minnesota Wild on Sunday. Moneypuck.com currently lists Nashville's playoff odds at 9.7% but a favorable schedule with the next three games against teams with combined records of 60-87-24 and ending the month against the Pittsburgh Penguins who have lost their last three games still has General Manager David Poile undecided on his moves as the trade deadline approaches.
Today Poile talked with Robby Stanley and Joe Rexrode on 102.5 The Game's Robby and Rexrode Show. Poile discussed his thoughts on the state of the team and also addressed the more immediate questions about Filip Forsberg and Phil Tomasino.
Phil Tomasino
Yesterday CapFriendly.com listed Phil Tomasino in their Recalls and Reassignments as heading back to Milwaukee. When asked about Tomasino's status with the Preds, David Poile stated that Tomo will remain with Nashville for now.
"Phil Tomasino is staying with us," Poile said. "Right now, he's played okay. I think there's been some things that we've seen in terms of his quickness and speed, but again, he needs to produce."
Poile pointed out that Tomasino has been given an opportunity to play in a higher role in his four games this season compared to last season. He has played three of his games with line mates Nino Niederreiter and Cody Glass and one with Ryan Johansen and Mikael Granlund.
Poile pointed out that so far Tomasino has only one assist while acknowledging that Tomasino has been brought up at a critical time in the season for Nashville.
"He's kind of been thrown into the fire here, but this is his opportunity. So we're going to go with him and we need him to play a little bit better. We need him to produce, so let's hope he starts doing that tonight."
Filip Forsberg
Poile also provided an update on Nashville's leading goal scorer who has missed the past four games and is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury. Forsberg left the game against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 11 after a hard fall to the ice.
Filip Forsberg is skating but not with the team currently, and Poile does not expect #9 to play tonight or in the upcoming road games in San Jose or Arizona.
Tonight the Predators take on the Vancouver Canucks at Bridgestone Arena.
Related Reading:
Nashville Predators Trade Talk: Defensemen
Nashville Predators Trade Talk: Goaltenders
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