Injuries hit Preds hard at center

Before the season started, center ice was supposed to be a position of strength for the Predators.

Unless a trade or call-up cures Nashville's injury situation, it will continue to be a spot of scarcity.

The Predators announced Thursday that Marcel Goc will undergo season-ending surgery after injuring his shoulder on Feb. 17. It is the same shoulder he hurt on Oct. 16 that knocked him out of the lineup for six games.

Three of Nashville's four opening-night centers are now out for the season. Matthew Lombardi (concussion) still isn't symptom free, and Cal O'Reilly (broken fibula) is on crutches.

"Center ice has been really decimated, obviously with Lombardi and O'Reilly out for the season and Goc out for the season," Nashville Coach Barry Trotz said. "That was an area we're trying to strengthen all the time. It has been a challenge and guys will have to step up."

The Predators have yet to decide how they will address Goc's absence. An acquisition or a call-up from Milwaukee are possibilities.

"We've had (Matt) Halischuk up here, I think the coaches believe he can play. We've had Chris Mueller up here, I know the coaches believe he can play," General Manager David Poile said. "(Blake) Geoffrion has played really well of late."

Defense hunting?: With the trade deadline Monday, Poile said he is fielding calls from other teams. Nashville's potential wish list is unchanged: If Francis Bouillon can't return, the Predators could be in the market for a defenseman.

"Am I calling around and asking what's available on defense? The answer is yes," Poile said.

Jonathon Blum may make it harder to make a move for a defenseman. Blum played 21:24 and was one of two defensemen who finished even on the game.

"I thought he was outstanding tonight for a young guy in his second game — lots of poise," Trotz said.

Svatos claimed: The Senators claimed Nashville forward Marek Svatos off waivers. He had one goal and two assists in nine games for the Predators.

Happy returns: Defenseman Ryan Suter and forward Sergei Kostitsyn were in Nashville's lineup after missing Tuesday's loss. Suter had an upper-body injury. Kostitsyn's injury was undisclosed.