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In an effort to unclog a crowded blueline, the Nashville Predators traded defenseman Tomas Kloucek along with center Ben Simon to the Atlanta Thrashers for two prospects, defenseman Kirill Safronov and forward Simon Gamache.

Safronov, 22, has five points in 21 games with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL this season.  Safronov is 6’2”, 215 pounds and was a first round draft choice by the Phoenix Coyotes in 1999.  The Russian native notched four points and 16 penalty minutes in 35 career NHL games. 

Safronov is considered a two-way defenseman and strong skater, but his play is inconsistent.  The young defenseman has the potential to be a top-4 blueliner but so far hasn’t lived up to expectations.

Gamache, also 22, has 11 points in 16 games with the Chicago Wolves this year.  The 5’9”, 180-pound forward recorded 77 points in 76 games last season with Chicago.  The Quebec native recorded one assist in two games with the Thrashers this year.  He has played four games in the NHL, dating back to last spring. Gamache played center in junior, but was switched to a wing position in the minors.

In junior and in the minors, Gamache has put up good numbers.  The former ninth round pick has had back-to-back seasons in which he notched triple digit points.  Playing for Val D’Or of the QMJHL, Gamache scored 143 points in 74 games during the 1999-2000 season and 184 points (including 110 assists) in 72 games during the 2000-2001 season. 

Safronov and Gamache have joined the Milwaukee Admirals, where Gamache could center a line of right wing Scottie Upshall and left wing Timofei Shishkanov. 

Kloucek, 23, appeared in five games this season for the Predators recording a single assist.  He was acquired along with defenseman Marek Zidlicky and Rem Murray from the New York Rangers for goaltender Mike Dunham.  Once considered a top prospect, injuries leave one to wonder if Kloucek will ever be the dominant, physical defenseman he was projected to be. 

Simon, 25, has four points in 18 games this year with the Admirals.  The gritty center was with the Thrashers organization for three seasons prior to signing with Nashville. 

The Nashville blueline became unexpectedly crowed with the emergence of top prospect Dan Hamhuis, the strong play of newcomer Marek Zidlicky and the signings of Jason Allison and Stan Neckar. 

Nashville News and Notes

Safronov and Gamache each made their Milwaukee debut on Wednesday night against their former teammates on the Chicago Wolves.  Safronov recorded one shot on goal and a +2 plus/minus rating and Gamache was even with one shot on goal.  The Admirals won the game 4-1 over the Wolves and super prospect Kari Lehtonen.  Defenseman Andrew Hutchinson and Upshall each had two goals, while center Darren Haydar and Shishkanov each added an assist. 

Back in Nashville, right winger Jordin Tootoo was scratched again on Wednesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes.  Head coach Barry Trotz is making a habit of scratching Tootoo on the road and featuring him more at home to try to motivate his play.

Former Preds defenseman Tomas Slovak has three points in 13 games this season with the Hershey Bears of the AHL and was reassigned to Reading of the ECHL on Nov. 17.