Predators activate defenseman Subban off injured reserve

The Nashville Predators have activated defenseman P.K. Subban off the injured list and he is expected to play Friday night in Edmonton.

Subban has missed 16 games with an upper-body injury and was placed on the injured list Jan. 1. The former Norris Trophy winner has not played since Dec. 15.

He said he and his coaches and trainers agreed Friday morning he was ready to return. This is the Predators' fourth game in a five-game road trip.

''I told them last night, I'll take the morning skate and see how I felt this morning and everything was good,'' Subban said.

He was voted captain of the Central Division for the NHL All-Star Game in Los Angeles on Jan. 29.

Subban has seven goals and 10 assists in 29 games, and Nashville needs him back. Defensive partner Roman Josi has been on the injured list since Jan. 13 with his own upper-body injury after taking a hit Jan. 12 against Boston.

To clear a roster spot, Nashville assigned defenseman Alexandre Carrier to its AHL affiliate, Milwaukee.