The Predators have added some extra depth up front heading into their game against Washington. The team announced that they have recalled winger Kieffer Bellows from AHL Milwaukee. Nashville had two open roster spots so no corresponding moves needed to be made.
The 26-year-old spent last season on a minor-league deal with Toronto. He was quite productive with the Marlies, tallying 27 goals and 22 assists in 52 games in his first extended AHL stint since the 2018-19 campaign. That helped him earn some NHL interest last summer as he signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Preds on the third day of free agency, a deal that pays $775K in the NHL and $225K in the minors.
Bellows cleared waivers at the start of training camp and has been with the Admirals all season. He hasn’t been quite as productive as last season but still has 12 goals and 10 assists in 31 outings, good for second on the team in scoring; their top scorer, Vinnie Hinostroza, was brought up in late December.
Bellows has 95 career NHL appearances under his belt. Most of those came with the Islanders but his most recent stint at the top level came with Philadelphia who claimed him off waivers in 2022-23 (before non-tendering him that summer). Between the two teams, Bellows has 14 goals and 14 assists along with 199 hits while averaging 11 minutes a night of playing time.