Even though the NHL club Nashville Predators is struggling in a really bad way right now, the AHL affiliate Milwaukee Admirals are in the midst of another solid campaign with plenty of prospects showing serious potential for the future.
The Predators have made several key call-ups this season that rocked the core of the Admirals, including Zachary L'Heureux as the biggest one. L'Heureux appears to be in the NHL to stay.
The Admirals have a record of 12 wins, seven regulation losses, one overtime loss and the victims of three brutal shootout losses. They sit in second place in the Central Division trailing the first-place Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings affiliate) by seven points.
Milwaukee Admirals Leaders
Vinnie Hinostroza has been a surprise leader for the Admirals in points this season with 29 in 23 games. The 30-year-old right winger signed with the Predators this past offseason after spending time with five different NHL teams, including two separate stints with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Hinostroza is well on his way to having a career year for offensive production in the AHL, but there's also rumblings that he could eventually be due for a call-up from the Predators. That could definitely happen if the Predators end up trading some forwards before the 2025 trade deadline.
Leading the Admirals in goals is Kiefer Bellows with nine. He is also in his first year with the Admirals and has been a surprising newcomer to the Predators pipleine.
Bellows is a former 19th-overall draft pick by the New York Islanders in 2016, and was signed by the Predators this past offseason. He played in 22 NHL games for the Flyers and one NHL game for the Islanders in 2022-23.
Other notable Predators prospects for the Admirals is Joakim Kemell, Reid Schaefer and Ryan Ufko. Kemell is gradually developing but still has more to work on before being ready for NHL playing time, while Schaefer and Ufko might have even longer paths before being NHL ready.
The Admirals have a 50/50 split goalie duo going on with Magnus Chrona and Matthew Murray, and both have respectable numbers. Murray's numbers are truly elite with a .930 save percentage and 2.21 GAA. Chrona's is nothing to scoff at with a .921 save percentage and 2.56 GAA.
Marc Del Gaizo waived by Nashville Predators
In what shouldn't surprise anyone too much, Marc Del Gaizo was waived by the Predators on Wedneday. This is probably signaling the return of Roman Josi from injury who was listed as day-to-day. Jeremy Lauzon and Alexandre Carrier will also eventually return, so the Predators had to waive someone.
Unfortunately, Del Gaizo isn't waiver exempt so he could get claimed. I'd expect the organization has their fingers crossed that Del Gaizo goes unclaimed. This isn't a scenario of a team waiving a player due to poor play.
Del Gaizo has only played two games for Milwaukee during this current season.
Fedor Svechkov returns after promising stint in Nashville
Fans were curious if Svehckov, like L'Heureux, was going to stick around in Nashville on a more permanent basis. However, the thought process is that Svechkov is ahead of schedule and his best time served right now is playing a prominent role with Milwaukee. He's only in his second season in North America.
Svechkov struck for two goals with the Predators and his confidence seemed to be growing by the game while even getting time at the Predators' troubled second line center position. But with Steven Stamkos taking over at top line center, and Ryan O'Reilly moving down to second line center, it makes more sense for Svechkov to get more heavy minutes at the AHL level for now.
Adam Wilsby making his case to stay with Nashville Predators
Talk about making the most of your opportunity, that's exactly what Adam Wilsby is doing with the Predators in his first 10 NHL games.
Wilsby cracked through for his 1st NHL goal in the Tuesday win over the New York Rangers in what can only be describe as a dynamic offensive move for a young defenseman. This young player definitely has a solid offensive foundation with speed and strong staking.
Once the Predators get fully healthy on their blueline, they'll have to decide on carrying probably seven defenseman. Roman Josi, Brady Skjei, Luke Schenn, Alexandre Carrier, Jeremy Lauzon and Wilsby. With the seventh being between Kevin Gravel or Nick Blankenburg.
And let's no overlook that Spencer Stastney is back for the Admirals having already played five games and registering a goal. You would think that the organization eventually wants to give him another chance on the NHL level this season.