Predators' Ryan Ellis misses practice; James Neal back

Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis did not practice Friday and will not be available to play Saturday at Minnesota.

The team said he continues to be evaluated following a lower body injury that caused him to leave Thursday's game against Dallas in the second period. The extent of his injury may not be known for another day or two, the team said.

Mattias Ekholm, who has been paired with Ellis, skated with Seth Jones at Friday's practice. Anton Volchenkov skated with Victor Bartley.

James Neal (injured reserve, lower body) returned to practice Friday and participated as an extra skater. He has missed the last four games and his status remains day-to-day. Neal and Eric Nystrom (injured reserve, upper body) and Ellis are not traveling to Minnesota. Nystrom is eligible to be activated Jan. 15.

Taylor Beck (sickness) and Matt Cullen (upper body) were activated off injured reserve after practice.

Beck, who missed the last four games, skated on a line with center Mike Fisher and Colin Wilson. "I'm good to go now," he said.

Cullen, who missed the last six games, skated on a line with center Calle Jarnkrok and Olli Jokinen. "I had a couple of good practices here, so it's nice to get back to feeling good," he said.

To make room for the activations, forward Miikka Salomaki was reassigned to Milwaukee. He scored a goal in his NHL debut Thursday against Dallas.

Lines at Friday's practice:

Forwards

Forsberg-Ribeiro-Smith

Wilson-Fisher-Beck

Bourque-Gaustad-Stalberg

Jokinen-Jarnkrok-Cullen

Extras: Arcobello, Neal (IR).

Defense

Josi-Weber

Ekholm-Jones

Volhenkov-Bartley

Goalies

Rinne

Hutton

Reach Eric Stromgren at 615-259-8325 and on Twitter @estromgren.