Nashville Predators defenseman Adam Wilsby (83) passes the puck against the Ottawa Senators during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesPromising defenseman Adam Wilsby (upper-body) has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2024-25 season, the Nashville Predators announced Friday
Additionally, the Predators have placed forward Zach L'Heureux on injured reserve, while activating forward Mark Jankowski from his stint on injured reserve.
The Wilsby news, in particular, comes as a surprise, even with this upper-body injury not being his first ailment of the season.
The 24-year-old played a season-high 22:36 against the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 3 and, on Feb. 7, was ruled out of the Predators' game against the Chicago Blackhawks and deemed day-to-day.
Two weeks and one contract extension later, Wilsby is suddenly out for the season. It was a disappointment, given the fact that he was one of Nashville's lone bright spots in what has been an uncharacteristically poor season for the team and many of its players.
With Jeremy Lauzon and now Wilsby out for the season, the Predators' claiming an experienced defenseman like Andreas Englund on waivers now makes much more sense.
With his first season in the NHL coming to an unceremonious close, Wilsby looks towards the second half of 2025 with a goal, four assists, five points, and 23 games with the Predators under his belt.
Based on the team's outlook for next season, Wilsby has the inside track to an NHL roster spot once again, but his rehab and level of play will ultimately determine that.