As the regular season winds down to the final few weeks, the Nashville Predators are being forced to test their minor league depth. Steve Sullivan (back spasms), Scott Hartnell (broken foot), Peter Forsberg (upper body soreness), Marek Zidlicky (upper body injury), and Scott Nichol (broken thumb) are the latest Predators to battle the injury bug. The recently recovered David Legwand (upper body injury), Jason Arnott (flu), Jordin Tootoo (sore hip), and Kimmo Timonen (wrist injury) continue to heal and help replenish the injury-riddled roster.

Always enjoying the challenge of icing the perfect line combinations, coach Barry Trotz' creativity is being tested each day. Trotz has to be pleased with the team's recent play; the Predators have rallied from behind in the third period forcing overtime in three of the last four games. Given the depleted roster, Trotz expects the role players to step up their play by showing resiliency and mental toughness.

The injuries to Sullivan and Forsberg are most puzzling. Trotz spoke about their return, "I wish I could say; it could be one or two days, it could be a week. I don't know; I really don't."

Scott Hartnell is targeting the last week of March for his return. Hartnell's gritty play and goal-scoring ability will be a much needed boost for the playoffs.

Making the Most of Their Stay

Until the injury situation begins to clear up, the Predators will continue to dress depth forwards Ramzi Abid and Rich Peverley. The duo was recalled from Milwaukee of the American Hockey League on March 3rd. While notching an assist in his first NHL game, Peverley has not looked out of place winning 11 of 22 face-offs and finishing with a +2 rating in two games played.

"I was watching (the Predators play) at my place on Saturday night when I got a call," Peverley said. "I had half an hour to get my stuff together and get to the airport. But it was nice to be put out there with some good players. I felt like I got some good shifts and it was a nice experience."

Ramzi Abid has not produced any points for the Predators since the preseason. This season, Abid has only dressed for one game and skated for seven minutes of ice-time while slotted on the fourth line. In 50 NHL games (Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Nashville), Abid has scored 13 goals and 23 points with a -9 rating and 59 penalty minutes.