News:Nick Spaling scored a goal and added an assist against the Blackhawks on Sunday.
Analysis: These are Nick Spaling's first points in nine games, and he only has 11 points on the season.
News:Nick Spaling, a healthy scratch Friday against Edmonton, will likely play Saturday against the Wild, according to the Tennessean.
Analysis: With just five points in 23 games, Nick Spaling should not be on anyone's fantasy radar outside of ultra-deep leagues.
News:Nick Spaling scored his first goal of the year and assisted on a power-play goal in Tuesday's win over the Wild.
Analysis:Nick Spaling was given an impressive 17:39 of ice time and made the most of his minutes, but don't expect consistent offense from the young centerman, who doesn't have much of a history as a scorer. He'd gone pointless in the first two games of the season.
Preds' Spaling Seeing Increased Ice Time This Season
News:Nick Spaling is currently averaging a full two minutes more per game in ice time compared to last season (15:57 vs. 13:55).
Analysis:Nick Spaling's on-ice responsibilites as a checking-line forward have definitely increased since he broke in with the Preds three seasons ago. However, with just 19 points in 62 games, Spaling won't help you much in traditional scoring categories unless you're in an ultra-deep league.
News:Nick Spaling was held off the scoresheet during Thursday's 4-3 loss to Ottawa, his 11th straight game without a point.
Analysis: Considering goals and assists are not Nick Spaling's primary responsibility, he's still contributed this season with 15 points in 50 games, one more than the career-high 14 points he posted last year. This does not make him a very attractive fantasy option in most standard formats, however it's easy to see why the Preds rely on him a reliable, two-way checking forward. He rarely gets into trouble defensively and he does a good job of keeping other teams' top lines in check. He continues to skate on the team's fourth line with Jordin Tootoo and rookie Gabriel Bourque.
News:Nick Spaling scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal during Saturday's 4-2 win over the Flyers. The marker gives him 15 points on the season which is a new career-high.
Analysis:Nick Spaling is proving to be somewhat of a lucky charm for the Preds, as the team has yet to lose in regulation when he scores (13-0-1, including playoffs). Although limited to a checking-line role, Spaling has been centering one of the Preds' most consistent lines along with Jordin Tootoo and rookie Gabriel Bourque. He's now on pace for a 30-point season, giving him fantasy value in deeper formats.
News:Nick Spaling, at plus-1, is one of just four players on the Preds' roster to boast a positive plus-minus rating so far this season.
Analysis: This is a significant achievement, considering Nick Spaling normally centers the Preds' third line and is not counted on to do much by way of scoring. With just 13 points (5G, 8A) in 35 games, he chips in where he can, but he's much more valuable to the Preds as a penalty killer, averaging 2:08 shorthanded minutes per game. Unfortunately, Spaling doesn't boast much fantasy value outside of ultra-deep formats.
Preds' Spaling Returns Saturday From Lower Body Injury
News:Nick Spaling returned to the lineup Saturday against the Canadiens after missing five games due to a lower body injury.
Analysis:Nick Spaling was back in his usual spot on the fourth line alongside Blake Geoffrion and Niclas Bergfors. He assisted on the Preds' only goal of the night and saw 13:02 of ice time. Feel free to start using Spaling again as you normally would.
Preds' Spaling (Lower Body) Eyeing Return Saturday Against Habs
News:Nick Spaling (lower body) practiced Friday and hopes to be back in the lineup Saturday against Montreal, according to the Tennessean.
Analysis:Nick Spaling will likely return to his usual role as checking-line center for the Preds once he gets the official green light to return. He has just three points (1G, 2A) in 10 games so far this season.
Preds' Spaling Nearing Return From Lower Body Injury
News:Nick Spaling (lower body) practiced Monday and is eligible to come off injured reserve, according to the Tennessean.
Analysis:Nick Spaling likely will not play Tuesday against the Kings, but could return Wednesday against Anaheim, according to coach Barry Trotz.
News:Nick Spaling (lower body) is set to resume skating, according to the Tennessean.
Analysis: A promising development in his recovery, however a return to the lineup still does not appear imminent. Keep Nick Spaling on your fantasy bench for the time being.
News:Nick Spaling (lower body) is travelling with the team on its current road trip but is unsure when he will return to the lineup, according to the Tennessean.
Analysis: "I've progressed, which is the biggest thing," Nick Spaling said Thursday. "Every day has felt better. Hopefully [Friday] try it out and keep progressing." Spaling is not much of a fantasy force given his role as checking-line center for the Preds. He has three points in 10 games so far this season.
News:Nick Spaling was placed on injured reserve Thursday night before the Preds' tilt with the Blackhawks, Nashville's official site reports. The team did not release any details on the injury.
Analysis:Nick Spaling's placement on the injured reserve means he is out for at least seven days, so don't count on him for the week. Spaling has posted mediocre numbers on the Preds' second line with three points in 10 games.
News:Nick Spaling is currently pencilled in as the Preds' second-line center, according to the Tennessean reports.
Analysis: For now, this puts him in between scoring wingers Sergei Kostitsyn and Martin Erat which would boost his fantasy stock immensely. However, consider this just a temporary situation until Mike Fisher returns from a shoulder injury. In the long run, Nick Spaling is still more suited to a third-line role.
Preds' Spaling Eyeing Saturday For First Preseason Game
News:Nick Spaling (groin/shoulder) is expected to play his first preseason game Saturday against Winnipeg, Joshua Cooper of the Tennessean reports.
Analysis: It sounds like his recovery is going well. Still not a lot of fantasy relevance here, but good news nonetheless.
News:Nick Spaling (groin/shoulder) took part in his first full practice of training camp Wednesday, reports the Tennessean.
Analysis: If healthy, Nick Spaling should wind up on the Preds' third line to start the season. He had just three points in 28 games last season.
News:Nick Spaling, whose shoulder is almost fully healed following surgery back in May, suffered a slightly pulled groin during informal workouts recently, reports the Tennessean.
Analysis: The groin injury doesn't sound overly serious at the moment, but monitor Nick Spaling's progress as training camp progresses. The key for Spaling will likely be to make sure his surgically-repaired shoulder can withstand the rigors of training camp. Spaling is still pegged as a third- or fourth-line player for the Preds this season, so he doesn't have a ton of fantasy value outside of very deep leagues.
News: Spaling re-signed with the Predators on Friday, inking a two-year, $2.1 million contract, reports the Tennessean.
Analysis: Spaling notched 14 points (8G, 6A) in 74 games for the Preds last season. He will resume his role on one of the team's checking lines come October.
Preds' Spaling Still Recovering From Shoulder Surgery
News: Spaling is still rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn labrum, but expects to be ready for training camp in September, the Tennessean reports.
Analysis: With his three-year, $2.2 million contract having recently expired, Spaling will become a restricted free agent this offseason. Look for the Preds to bring him back again next year, as he will still come relatively cheap. Spaling had 14 points (8G, 6A) in 76 games this past season.
News: Spaling recently underwent surgery for a torn labrum, Joshua Cooper of The Tennessean reports.
Analysis: Spaling's recovery should take about three months and he should be ready for the start of training camp. Spaling had just 14 points in 74 regular season contests, but it's worth noting that he chipped in six points in 12 games this postseason.
News: Spaling, who went face first into the boards in Saturday's win over Vancouver, skated with the Preds on Monday morning, the Tennessean reports.
Analysis: Spaling, who had 14 points in 74 regular season contests, already has six points in 11 playoffs games to date. He should be out there Monday as the Preds try to even their series with Vancouver.
News: Spaling went face first into the boards in Saturday's win over Vancouver, reports the Associated Press. He did not return.
Analysis: There's no word on the severity but it's a big blow for the Preds who are already missing Steve Sullivan and Jerred Smithson. The team doesn't have any extra forwards with them.
News: Spaling scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season Thursday in a shutout win over Minnesota, his first goals since Feb. 17.
Analysis: The 22-year-old Spaling took advantage of some of his biggest ice time of the year. He only has two two-goal games in his short career, and both have come against Minnesota.
News: Spaling required stitches after he was struck in the face with the puck in the first period of Tuesday's game against the Oilers, only to return halfway through the second period donning a full facemask, The Tennessean reports.
Analysis: "I haven't worn one of those (facemasks) in a while, it wasn't too tough to get used to. Protect the face is the main thing," Spaling said. "It's always tough to watch (the game while getting stitched). But there's not much you can do, just get it done." Spaling has just proven that he is a tough player, but his lack of experience and points -- five goals and four assists in 56 games -- makes him an unattractive fantasy option.
News: Spaling (upper body) returned to the Nashville lineup on Tuesday night against the Wild and scored twice.
Analysis: Spaling looked healthy and he played 17:51 in the contest. Yet he has just four goals in 62 career games and offers no fantasy value.
Preds' Spaling Back From Injury Tuesday Against Wild
News: Spaling (upper body) will play Tuesday against Minnesota, the Tennessean reports.
Analysis: Spaling will return to his usual spot on the Preds' checking line with Jerred Smithson and Joel Ward. With just four points (2G, 2A) in 33 games, he doesn't boast much by way of fantasy value in even the deepest of leagues.
News: Spaling (upper body) will not play in Saturday's game against the Sharks, The Tennessean reports.
Analysis: Head coach Barry Trotz did not sound overly concerned about Spaling's injury, so expect his absence to be a short one.
News: Spaling left Thursday's game against Los Angeles with an upper body injury, the Tennessean reports.
Analysis: Following the game, Preds coach Barry Trotz did not sound concerned that Spaling would miss much time. "He's a tough kid," Trotz said. "He is banged up a bit but I think he will probably be in the lineup in San Jose [on Saturday]." Consider Spaling day-to-day for now, but check back Saturday for his official status.
News: Spaling has been recalled from AHL Milwaukee, the Tennessean reports.
Analysis: Spaling will take the place of Marcel Goc, who has been placed on injured reserve with a separated shoulder. Spaling will skate on one of the Preds' checking lines and doesn't offer any real fantasy value at this time.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Predators C Nick Spaling was credited with an assist against the Lightning in his first game since being recalled by the Predators on Tuesday. It was his first NHL game. "I was a little nervous, but once I got the first couple of shifts out of the way I started to feel a little more comfortable," Spaling said. "It was awesome to get my first point. It was kind of a garbage goal with Ryan Jones going to the net. I was just happy to see it go in."
Analysis: Spaling is in his first year of pro hockey. He has one goal and seven points in 27 games with Milwaukee of the AHL. Unfortunately, Spaling does need more time to develop and it likely headed back to the minors. He is nothing more than a long-term Fantasy keeper.
News: The Predators signed C Nick Spaling signed to an entry-level deal Tuesday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The 6-1, 185-pound center was Nashville's second-round choice, 58th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Analysis: Spaling will be present at Nashville's training camp when it opens Sept. 19, but is expected to spend the 2008-09 season with Milwaukee (AHL). Spaling had 38 goals and 72 points in 56 games last season for Kitchener (OHL). He then had 30 points in the playoffs. Spaling is nothing more than a long-term Fantasy keeper.
