Nash Daily: Del Zotto Calls It A Career, Johansen Shines Again

Former Nashville Predators defenseman Michael Del Zotto announced his retirement from the NHL on Wednesday after playing 736 games. Del Zotto never lived up to the offensive-defenseman caliber player that former general manager David Poile thought he would become, and he was gone after just 25 games in a Nashville sweater.

Del Zotto was acquired from the New York Rangers in 2013 in exchange for blue-liner Kevin Klein. Poile hoped, at the time, that Del Zotto would slot into the Predators top four alongside Shea Weber, Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis and provide more offensive punch. He finished with just one goal and five points while averaging 16:18 of ice time per game.

After 736 NHL games, Michael Del Zotto announces his retirement on Instagram pic.twitter.com/oWoSRM3mqy

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 6, 2023

Former Predators forward Ryan Johansen was shipped to the Colorado Avalanche on June 24, and he’s wasted no time getting acquainted with his new teammates. Colorado Hockey Now’s Evan Rawal showed Johansen skating with Artturi Lekhonen and Mikko Rantanen on Wednesday, and as you can see from the video below, it seems like he’s fitting in just fine.

Johansen to Lehkonen, back to Johansen and in. Those two and Rantanen working together this morning in every drill. pic.twitter.com/QCwk2t8wwa

— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) September 6, 2023

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Colorado Hockey Now: Mikko Rantanen, Devon Toews and Jack Johnson were among the notable players to show up at an informal Avs skate on Wednesday.  

Florida Hockey Now: Matthew Tkachuk opens up about his time thus far in south Florida and the high expectations he has for his hockey career.  

Philly Hockey Now: Top prospect and 2023 seventh overall pick Matvei Michkov made his 2023 KHL debut for SKA St. Petersburg after missing out on the opening-night roster.  

San Jose Hockey Now: Former San Jose Sharks’ front office man Doug Wilson has followed Kyle Dubas to Pittsburgh.

The Athletic: Michael Misa is the latest player to earn exceptional status from the OHL. The 16-year-old center could have teams salivating at the possibility of drafting him in 2025. 

Follow Clay Brewer on Twitter/X: @ClayBrewer10