Looking to shake up their recent offensive rut, on Monday the Nashville Predators have put in a waiver claim for talented forward Bobby Butler, from the New Jersey Devils. The 25-year-old had just two points in 14 games with New Jersey this season, but contributed 27 in 37 AHL games with Albany.
Butler is likely headed directly to Nashville, where the forward might be able to help a Predators offense that’s scored just seven goals in its past five games, including four losses (and two of the shutout variety).
Butler is playing on a two-way contract that pays him $525,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level. So far Butler has 108 NHL games to his playing resume.
Prior to turning professional, Butler was a star with University of New Hampshire, totaling 121 points in a solid four-year career.
Tuesday the Predators announced that they claimed Zach Boychuk from the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 23-year-old has skated in 80 NHL games, mostly with Carolina, collecting seven goals and 18 points. Prior to joining Nashville, Boychuk dressed for seven games with the Penguins, who picked him up off of waivers from Carolina.
Much like Butler, Boychuk’s been a solid AHL player scoring more than 20 goals in two seasons, and 16 in just 37 games this fall with the Charlotte Checkers. The former 14th overall pick of the 2008 entry draft is on a two-way deal that pays him $625,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level.
Admirals Roundtable 
Season saved! We got Butler! That top 6 forward everyone was clambering for.
Predators continue to baffle me. Are you a player on waivers headed to the AHL? Fear not! There is a place for you in the NHL in sunny Nashville! They’ll insert you right into the starting lineup! On the other hand, if you are a hard working, talented young player with skill to burn, please head directly to Milwaukee or our nearest press box. Mueller, Watson, Halischuk all deserve better. Passed over for Yip, Clune and Bobby Butler? What a joke.
Preds fans collectively losing their heads right now. Love the ongoing meme that Poile is the bag lady of the NHL. One mans garbage is another man’s treasure-re: someone much funnier than me on Ontheforecheck.com. Seems like the only one getting anything done is Bourque.
wow. how much more does Mueller have to do. If you cant give him a chance on the 2nd or 3rd line with Nashville trade him. he deserves a chance, The Offensive is terrible in Nashville, give some these guys an opportunity
Pretty bad stuff when all we hear is the road to Nashville goes through Milwaukee, only to see them go out of house twice in two days. The Ads should have just as little faith in Nashville management that Nashville seems to have in them.
Desperation is in full swing down south. When the working parts were destroyed after last season, it’s going to really be an uphill battle this year.
Nashville is reporting that they recalled Victor Bartley today.
Well, at least that proves they know we are still here.
So much for the spirited discussion a few weeks back regarding Mueller/Watson. At least we can all agree we would like to see either one of them up instead of random waiver wire kids. Doubt either of them is happy. Enjoy Chris Mueller while you have him, folks. Doubt he’ll resign there this summer as I believe he is an unrestricted free agent.