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Players in Milwaukee destined for starts with Nashville Predators next season

The Predators are starting to rely on their youth to carry their organization. Here are three players from the Admirals who are destined to receive more in the NHL next season.
ByJordan Manning|
Teammates including Cal O'Reilly (16) surround Milwaukee Admirals right wing Joakim Kemell (25) to celebrate his goal against the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the first period of Game 4 of their AHL playoff series Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Teammates including Cal O'Reilly (16) surround Milwaukee Admirals right wing Joakim Kemell (25) to celebrate his goal against the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the first period of Game 4 of their AHL playoff series Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Ryan Ufko Milwaukee Admirals
Milwaukee Admirals defenseman Ryan Ufko (12) skates up the ice after taking his turn in a shootout during a practice open to season ticket holders Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ryan Ufko

Another weak spot for Nashville has been defense. The Predators have allowed 3.3 goals per game. and have the eight highest GA in the league. Two-thirds of the Predators defense consists of players in their early to mid-20s. If the Predators are expecting a rebuild next season, bringing in more AHL defensive talent will make the most season.

Ryan Ufko is one of these AHL defensive talents Nashville is looking to use. In his first full season with the club, the 21-year-old has 29 points in 69 games. Standing at 5'10" and 181lbs, Ufko isn't impressively tall but still gets the job done. His is 5th in the league in rookie defensemen scoring and 3rd in shooting percentage with 8.4%. He was drafted 115th overall in 2021 by the Predators. The Smithtown, New York native represented Team USA in the WJC-20 two seasons ago. He tied for first amongst points scored by a defenseman with ten.

According to Elite Prospects, he has high hockey IQ. He predicts opposing plays and isn't afraid to position his body in the shooting lane to block shots. His offensive instincts and puck-moving abilities make him a dynamic threat on the ice.

If Roman Josi's age becomes a problem for Nashville in the future, Ufko can be his offensive replacement. His skilled two-way game projects him as a future NHL blueliner. We could very well see Ufko take move forward in the NHL next season.

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