Emelin is suffering from acute liver failure and will need a liver transplant, Sport-Express reports.

EDGE Analysis

Emelin last played in the NHL back in 2017-18, when he logged 76 games with the Predators and garnered one goal on 59 shots, eight assists and 181 hits while averaging 16:53 of ice time. At 34 years of age, the blueliner has almost certainly played his final game in the NHL and may have to consider retiring altogether based on his medical condition.

Emelin will not return to the Predators next season, The Tennessean reports.

EDGE Analysis

Knowing Ryan Ellis would miss the first half of last season with a knee injury, the Preds acquired Emelin from the Golden Knights last July to help fill the gap. However, once Ellis returned in January, Emelin went from skating 19-20 minutes per game alongside P.K. Subban to playing 14-15 minutes in a third pairing role. Furthermore, he was mostly ineffective during the postseason and was a healthy scratch for three of the Preds' final four games against the Jets. Now a pending unrestricted free agent, the 31-year-old blueliner will look to catch on with a new team this summer.

Emelin scored one goal and pitched in eight assists in 76 games during 2017-18, while averaging 16:53 of ice time and blocking 109 shots.

EDGE Analysis

Although Emelin's point total was very similar to the marks he posted in Montreal, his physicality appeared to take a dip, a likely result of his decreased ice time as he averaged over 19 minutes for his old team. Emelin posted 181 hits which was the first time in three seasons he'd totaled under 300, and the 109 blocked shots were his least of any full season since his rookie campaign. The 32-year-old was also deployed in a more defensive role as he had a 57 percent start rate in his own zone, but had strong play on the third pairing as he went plus-nine on the season, a new career high. Emelin is set to be an unrestricted free agent, so he could find a new home besides Nashville for 2018-19.

Emelin (upper body) is in the lineup for Tuesday's game against Minnesota, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Emelin has missed Nashville's last two games due to an upper-body injury, but he was a full participant in Tuesday's morning skate, which was the first indication he'd likely be available for the Predators' matchup with Minnesota. The 31-year-old blueliner, who's notched one goal and nine points in 70 contests this season, will skate with Matt Irwin on Nashville's bottom pairing against the Wild.

Emelin -- who is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury -- took the ice for morning skate Tuesday, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Emelin has been sidelined for the last couple of games after logging just 9:15 of ice time last Thursday against Toronto -- likely because of the issue. The blueliner's presence at practice Tuesday suggests he could be an option for the evening's lineup against the Wild, but more information on his status for the matchup should be revealed as the day progresses.

Emelin has been averaging 20:15 in ice time over the past four games, skating on the second defensive pairing in place of the injured Roman Josi (upper-body).

EDGE Analysis

While the bump in TOI has been nice to see from a fantasy perspective, Emelin's increased on-ice responsibility still hasn't shown up on the scoresheet. He's currently riding an excruciating 25-game pointless streak, with his last point (an assist) coming back on Jan. 6 against the Kings. Emelin's main value to the team (and fantasy owners) continues to lie primarily in the secondary stat categories such as hits and blocked shots. Providing offense will never be one of his primary objectives.

Emelin was held off the scoresheet for the ninth consecutive game Saturday against the Rangers, but delivered six hits, two PIM, and a blocked shot in the Preds' 5-2 victory.

EDGE Analysis

Emelin continues to be a steady presence on the team's third defensive pairing; however, he plays more of a stay-at-home defender role these days, leaving the offensive responsibilities to guys like P.K. Subban, Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis. Now with just eight points in 49 games, Emelin is unlikely to challenge the career-high 17 points he posted in 2013-14 when he played for the Canadiens.

Emelin has failed to find the back of the next in seven consecutive outings.

EDGE Analysis

During his goal drought, Emelin has garnered two helpers, five shots and 18 hits -- so at least he is contributing in some fashion. With Ryan Ellis back to 100 percent, Emelin has been relegated to a third pairing role and will likely see his partner shuffled between Yannick Weber, Anthony Bitetto and Matt Irwin -- all of whom signed contract extensions Tuesday. Noticeably left off the list of signees, Emelin is now the lone member of the Nashville blue line not under contract for 2018-19.

Emelin recorded an assist for the second straight game in Tuesday's win over the Stars. He also dished out four hits and blocked two shots.

EDGE Analysis

Emelin continues to skate alongside P.K. Subban on the Preds' defensive pairing, but it hasn't translated to much offense thus far. Now with just three points on the season, Emelin is firmly entrenched in the lower tier of fantasy blueliners. What's worse, the 31-year-old Russian will likely see a drop in ice time once Ryan Ellis returns from a knee injury in January. Bottom line -- despite his recent points surge, Emelin still does not warrant much fantasy consideration in most formats.

Emelin snapped a 12-game pointless drought with his third assist of the season in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

Emelin continues to do exactly what the Preds ask him to do, which is play a shutdown role, throw his body around and kill penalties. He starts just 36% of his shifts in the offensive zone (lowest among all Nashville defensemen), is second on the team in hits (45) and sees a significant amount of time on the penalty kill (2:53). Needless to say, all of this amounts to much more value in the real world than it does in the fantasy realm. Bottom line, Emelin does not deserve to be on anyone's fantasy squad outside of ultra-deep leagues.