Barry Trotz on scratching Michael Del Zotto: 'His game has slipped'
Nashville Predators defenseman Michal Del Zotto watched Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks from the press box, and head coach Barry Trotz said the 23-year-old's game just hasn't been up to snuff lately.
“His game has slipped," Trotz told Josh Cooper of The Tennessean. "Our coaching staff has talked to him about making solid decisions, solid plays and he has gotten away from that a little bit. We had some healthy people and we felt this would be a good time.”
Since being acquired by the team in January, Del Zotto has registered three assists and 17 shots on goal in 18 games while receiving an average 17:05 of ice time.
Despite being one of the senior members of Nashville's blue line in terms of games played at the NHL level (310), Trotz said the 20th overall pick from the 2008 NHL draft is not guaranteed anything with the Predators.
“You’re always competing for a spot. He’s not veteran enough to not compete for a spot,” Trotz said. “Every night has to be about consistency for him and we have some people we can pull in and out.”
Nashville's next game in Friday in Calgary.