Predators place D de Vries on IR

Jan 15, 2009 - 12:04 AM NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The Nashville Predators restructured their blue line Wednesday, placing Greg de Vries on injured reserve and recalling fellow defenseman Alexander Sulzer from Milwaukee of the American Hockey League.

De Vries, who was placed on IR retroactive to January 6, has missed Nashville's last four games due to illness. Currently in his second tour of duty with the Predators, the 36-year-old native of Sundridge, Ontario has recorded one goal, three assists and 40 penalty minutes in 39 contests this season.

A member of Colorado's Stanley Cup championship team in 2001, the 6-2, 205-pound de Vries has collected 48 goals, 145 assists and 755 penalty minutes in 846 career games with the Edmonton Oilers, Avalanche, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Atlanta Thrashers and Predators.

Selected in the third round of the 2003 draft, the 24-year-old Sulzer has yet to make his NHL debut. With Milwaukee, the 6-1, 196-pound German has notched 22 assists and 29 points in 39 games, ranking third among AHL defensemen in both categories.