Preds Practice Ponderings: December 28

When Reid Boucher skated in his first game as a member of the Nashville Predators, he wasn't quite comfortable just yet. Plus, he was running out of things to wear.
"We were on a road trip with New Jersey at the time, Nashville was our last game and I was running out of clothes pretty quick," Boucher said with a laugh after Wednesday's practice. "So I just got the call to tell me I got picked up by Nashville, and I just stayed here. It's been a very exciting time for me, and I had my girlfriend drive all my clothes and stuff down from Jersey."
Claimed on waivers from the Devils on Dec. 3 - the Predators opponent that afternoon - Boucher didn't have far to go to join his new team. He was inserted into the lineup the next evening against Philadelphia after receiving a crash course on the Preds system and what was expected of him on the ice.

After slotting in for a day, Boucher was sent to Nashville's AHL affiliate in Milwaukee on a conditioning assignment on Dec. 11 with the purpose of skating in some games and getting a handle on the organization's system in all situations of the game.

Boucher scored four goals in five contests with the Admirals and returned to Nashville, promptly registering his first marker with his new team on Tuesday against Minnesota - a noticeable impact for a player who has had offensive success at every level he's ever appeared.
"The systems mimic each other from here down to Milwaukee, and I think going down there and playing 15, 17, 18, 20 minutes a night is only going to benefit you," Head Coach Peter Laviolette said. "He did it for a handful of games and then he comes back and feels more confident, you feel better about [playing the game]."
Austin Watson, who skated on a line with Boucher for a majority of Tuesday's game, knows the feeling of being up and down in different situations. He too noticed a change in Boucher's game on Tuesday night, a direct correlation to the time spent becoming further acclimated with his new club.
"When he first got picked up on waivers and then thrown into game action right away, it's tough," Watson said. "You're trying not to make mistakes and trying not to hurt the team any. You're not really able to bring the things out in your game that can help the team, so for him to go down, feel comfortable, knowing the systems… it was great to see him come back and make an impact the way he did."
Laviolette and the Preds staff, while not necessarily expecting Boucher to score goals on a nightly basis, are aware of his abilities. Boucher recorded 62 goals and 95 points in 68 games during the 2012-13 season with Sarnia of the OHL and registered eight goals and 19 points in 39 contests with the Devils last season. Now it's up to Boucher to continue to earn his spot.
"He's a guy that's put up points and scored goals his whole career, so I think just putting him in the right situation, the right opportunity as much as we can [will help]," Laviolette said. "We have a lot of guys here already, so I think the more he works himself into the lineup, the more opportunity he gets and takes advantage of those situations, the more ice time you find yourself."

Boucher is confident he has the skillset and talent to contribute in different facets and believes the more time he sees with the big club, the better off he'll be.
"It's nice when a team takes a chance on you; they feel that you can help out their situation and it feels nice to be wanted," Boucher said. "Hopefully, I can come in here and make an impact and be the player they want me to be.
"I think it's just if I do the little things right, the more successful I am, the little things lead up to the big moments, big goals and everything. The more little things you do right, the more successful you're going to be."
Notes:
Preds defenseman P.K. Subban did not practice on Wednesday and
will not play
in Nashville's next two games - Thursday versus Chicago and Friday at St. Louis. He remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Defenseman Anthony Bitetto (Injured Reserve, broken hand) participated throughout the team's practice on Wednesday.