It’s been quite an exciting start to the season for Nashville Predators fans, with the debut of the new system Head Coach Andrew Brunette has been implementing to their games.
While we have seen lots of success with the increased scoring chances and shots on goal, the team is collectively having trouble actually finishing these chances and putting the puck in the back of the net.
These issues are not unique to the Predators, however, as their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, are also having trouble in the scoring department.
Catching Up with the Milwaukee Admirals in the Early Going of AHL Season
The Admirals currently sit in sixth in the Central Division with three wins and four losses. They are also second in penalty minutes in their division, which has played a large part in their one goal losses. The team is also last in their division for goals for and and goals against.
Looks like it’s not just the Predators that are struggling to find their footing early in the season. The Milwaukee Admirals are 3-4 and are averaging only two goals a game so far this season… #preds
— Madeline (@madelinegd77) November 6, 2023
Denis Gurianov leads the team in points, with two goals and four assists in just six games, followed by Mark Jankowski with three assists and one goal.
Egor Afanasyev leads the team in goals with three over the course of the season. Gurianov and Afanasyev also lead the team in shots with 21 each.
Even though the Admirals are getting plenty of chances in their games, they are struggling just like the Predators to actually produce goals. Both teams are looking for certain players to find more consistent scoring, but other than Colton Sissons, Tommy Novak, and Gurianov for their respective teams, no one else has yet to step up into that position.
During their training camp before the season started, players on both rosters were able to experience what kind of system Brunette had been hoping to implement, and they were able to practice this system in their scrimmages and during a few preseason games. And although Milwaukee Admirals head coach Karl Taylor and Andrew Brunette worked together during this camp, Taylor stated that he wants to continue to use 80% of his normal system, while trying to implement 20% of Brunette’s system.
Yaroslav Askarov has Started off Hot in 2nd Season in AHL
This could be a large cause of the lack of scoring, as players on both teams are still trying to adjust to this system. Milwaukee also lost Luke Evangelista, Phil Tomasino, and Kiefer Sherwood to the Predators, and as those three players were top scorers for the Admirals, it comes to no surprise that they are struggling to find point production.
One positive throughout the Admirals season so far is goaltender Yaroslav Askarov. He currently has a save percentage of 0.935 and 1.60 GAA throughout his five games played.
Nashville is clearly following in their streak of strong goaltending with Askarov, and his progress throughout his time in Milwaukee is quite evident. Should Nashville need him to play in any games throughout the season, he certainly looks like he’ll be up to the task.
Tonight's Save of the Game presented by Yaroslav Askarov📢#MILHockey | @LandmarkCU pic.twitter.com/ZAJRKtaaSi
— Milwaukee Admirals (@mkeadmirals) November 5, 2023
Although the Predators seem to have found their footing as the season goes on, the same cannot be said for their farm team in Milwaukee. After going all the way to the Western Conference finals at the end of last season, it is important for the Admirals to not fall too far behind in their division this season and to continue with the pace they had at the end of last season.
Despite the early problems the Admirals are facing problems with their play, I firmly believe Karl Taylor will be able to fix these issues fairly quickly, and we can most likely expect another solid season from the Admirals.