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Predators news and notes
Written by: Brian Roe on 11/08/2001 
Prospects Martin Erat, Vladimir Orszagh, and Denis Arkhipov are making some serious noise in the National Hockey League this year. Erat leads the Nashville Predators in assists (8) and points (10). He is also second among rookies in scoring in the NHL. Orszagh, the former New York Islander, has 3 goals and 6 assists this season while playing in 14 contests. Arkhipov has 3 goals and 3 assists while centering this new, exciting line.
Martin Erat, 20, was the biggest surprise out of training camp this season. The winger has given the Predators a very nice offensive boost early on in the season. Vladimir Orszagh, who played last season in the Swedish hockey league, has also become an offensive force. Orszagh has shown very high intensity and is not afraid to shoot the puck. Denis Arkhipov played 40 games last season with Nashville, scoring 6 goals and 7 assists. However, this year he is getting increased ice time, has moved from winger to the center position and already has half the points that he had all of last season.
This line has thrown in almost one-third of the team's offense and is giving Nashville fans some exciting hockey to watch. Orszagh is considered the veteran of line at 23. The future of the Predators organization could be on the sticks of these three young players. Orszagh is on pace for 53 points, Arkhipov is on pace for 33 points and Erat on pace for 60 points.
Missing Hartnell
The future captain of the Predators, Scotty Hartnell, has been out with injury the past few games. Hartnell, 19, already has more goals this season (3) than all of last season where he played in 75 of the 82 team games. Hartnell can play winger and center lines and even though he is only 19, he is very valuable to the young Predators.
Tenkrat acquired
An original Predator, Patric Kjellberg was traded to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks last week. In return, the Predators received 24-year old winger Petr Tenkrat. Tenkrat, who is now with the Milwaukee Admirals, is not expected to make the big club this season. The 5'11 winger was an original draft choice of Anaheim in the 6th round of the 1999 draft. He played 46 games last season with the Mighty Ducks scoring 5 goals and 9 assists.
Copyright 2001 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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