The 2009-10 Nashville Predators NHL roster is now at 44 as 12 players were either sent back to their respective junior teams or were released from their tryout agreements.
Taylor Beck, who amassed three points in the 2-game series against the Atlanta Thrashers rookies, Gabriel Bourque, Michael Latta and Charles-Olivier Roussel were sent packing back to their junior teams while tryout players Scott Brannon, John Decaro, Mike McLean, Jacob Muzzin, Brock Sheahan, Arvid Stromberg, Pierre-Alexandre Vandall and Mark Van Guilder were just sent packing.
Seven players who participated in the rookie portion of camp have been retained. Jonathon Blum, Ryan Ellis, Nick Spaling and Colin Wilson are the front runners to stick around the longest, along with goaltenders Chet Pickard and Jeremy Smith, both destined for Milwaukee or Cincinnati this season. Darkhorses Ian McKenzie, Mark Santorelli and Russ Sinkewich were also held onto.
With 44 players left in camp, the Preds will need to cut 21 more to get down to the NHL-mandated 23-man active roster come opening night on October 3.