The Predators recalled defenseman Marc Del Gaizo from the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals on Monday, according to a team release. His recall is an emergency loan, per CapFriendly’s transactions log, so the Preds retain their three remaining post-trade deadline standard recalls. They used their first of four last week by recalling defenseman Spencer Stastney from Milwaukee.
Del Gaizo, 24, gets his second recall of the season. Nashville summoned their 2019 fourth-round pick for a five-game stint in November, where he impressed with three assists and a +2 rating while averaging 16:22 per game. It was the first call-up of his career.
Now in his third full professional season, Del Gaizo is having a career year with the Admirals. The New Jersey native leads Milwaukee defenders across the board with eight goals, 24 assists and 32 points in 51 games, and his +16 rating is second to Stastney’s +27. He’s been the highlight of a stingy Admirals defense in front of star goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov, who have combined to allow only 150 goals this season, the third-lowest in the AHL.
Recalling Del Gaizo under emergency conditions suggests one of the Predators’ six healthy defenders may be unavailable for Tuesday’s game against the Sharks. If Del Gaizo is not needed for tomorrow’s contest, they must either convert his emergency recall into a standard one or return him to Milwaukee.
Size remains a concern with Del Gaizo, who checks in at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds. He’s shown linear development in the minors after a solid three-year collegiate stint at UMass, however, and this likely won’t be his last chance to show what he can do in the NHL. He’s nearing completion of his three-year, $2.775MM entry-level contract and will be an RFA with arbitration rights this summer.