The past 3 games in this match up haven’t gone the way of the Admirals – but they’ll be facing an IceHogs team that has a slightly different look about it since they previously played.
Rockford and Iowa made some swaps at the end of February that saw Brian Connelly become an IceHog in exchange for Brad Winchester. In an additional move between the two teams the IceHogs sent Zach Miskovic to the Wild for future considerations. (IceHogs release)
The moves continued this month with Brandon Pirri being shipped from Rockford to the Florida Panthers organization in exchange for draft picks: 3rd Round (2014) and 5th Round (2016). (IceHogs release)
Then the Chicago Blackhawks organization acquired David Rundblad and Mathieu Brisebois from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a draft pick: 2nd Round (2014). Brisebois was assigned to Rockford following the trade. (IceHogs release)
So, what sort of point production will be missed from this head-to-head match up following all these moves?
The big loss here for the IceHogs in this match up is Pirri. Last season he was able to produce 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists) in 12 games against the Admirals. He’s always been a thorn in their side – even in games where he isn’t picking up the odd point here and there.
With his absence that means the recently named CCM/AHL Player of the Month for February, Jeremy Morin, will need to really carry the load when it comes to this match up – and it is something he is fully capable of. This season against the Admirals he has scored 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists) in 6 games. His season to date has been outstanding: 44 points (22 goals, 22 assists). He also has a plus/minus of +9 and 51 PIM’s. He enters tonight’s game on a 13-game point streak: 20 points (11 goals, 9 assists) during the streak. Top Gear Top Tip: Stop Jeremy Morin.
The Rockford IceHogs have a record of 30-22-5-3 (68 points). They are ahead of the Admirals in the Midwest division by 6 points – but have played 4 more games than the Ads have. With this two-in-two between the Ads and IceHogs. It’ll be huge for the Admirals to claw back up the standings starting with divisional wins. It wasn’t long ago that I was saying it’s all about getting hot at the right time. The IceHogs are still a strong 7-1-1-1 (16 points) from their last 10 games. The Admirals are on a 2 game run off of the Pekka Rinne show last weekend. It’s time to start a run.
Quick Bullet Points, (1) Marek Mazanec will get the start tonight (2) Joonas Jarvinen will be out of the lineup (3) Calle Jarnkrok will actually be wearing the number 19 with the Admirals – not his Grand Rapids Griffins numeral (4) Forsberg will be playing on the wing with Jarnkrok – nothing else is set in stone in regards to the forward group. (5) Simon Moser was confirmed yesterday by Evason to be returning from the Nashville Predators.
UPDATE: The voice of the Admirals, Aaron Sims, was able to catch up with both Jarnkrok and Moser following the morning skate today. (Jarnkrok, jump to 0:27 of the video… Moser, jump to 6:16 of the video to catch a Mike Liambas interview bomb)
What are your expectations for tonight’s game? How about the weekend? Can the Admirals take all 4-points from the IceHogs? Marek Mazanec starts tonight – how will he do after some time out of the net? How will Calle Jarnkrok perform in his debut?
“Get out of my way, so called Rochester – so called Americans, the Swedes are coming,” shouted Filip Forsberg… I assume. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
I attended the Admirals morning skate today at the Kern Center in the hopes of my first look at a Mr. Calle Jarnkrok. He wasn’t there for practice today. As it turns out – he actually made it to the Ads locker room while I was running interviews. He left before I had the chance to speak with him but, considering how busy that guy will be getting used to new places and faces, that’s no biggie for me.
I spoke with head coach Dean Evason about yesterday’s trade deadline and what we should expect moving forward. I also had the chance to talk with Mathieu Tousignant and Filip Forsberg to hear their impressions of Jarnkrok. Here is what was said this afternoon.
Last weekend with Pekka Watch becoming Watch Pekka – there was a Finnish flag in the Bradley Center crowd. With the addition of Calle Jarnkrok – how about a Swedish flag? (Photo Credit: Rick Stewart)
The Nashville Predators traded David Legwand yesterday to the Detroit Red Wings for Patrick Eaves, Calle Jarnkrok, and a conditional 3rd Round Draft pick (2015).
Legwand was the lone figure I felt had the potential to actually ship out of Nashville at this trade deadline due to his contract expiring at season’s end and the organization not wanting another Ryan Suter scenario to unfold. What they wound up receiving was a veteran in Eaves, a prospect in Jarnkrok, and a future 3rd Round Draft pick that can be upgraded to a 2nd Rounder should the Red Wings make the playoffs this season.
All things considered this was a smart move for the Predators. Legwand is up in age, there isn’t a guarantee he was going to re-sign in free agency, and the team is in need to get younger and more skilled at the forward spot anyways. When you look at the Preds organization: goaltending and defense looks good in the present and future. What you don’t find enough of are players like they’ve been able to snag in the last two trade deadlines: Filip Forsberg and Calle Jarnkrok.
Jarnkrok is your prototypical Swedish Red Wings prospect (this face). This is his first full season of North American hockey. He played from 2009-13 with Brynas IF Gavle of the Swedish Elite League where he played 185 games, produced 118 points (44 goals, 74 assists), recorded 40 penalty minutes, and had a plus/minus of -4.
He was selected in the 2nd Round (51st Overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. He officially joined their organization late last season when he played in 9 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins: 3 assists and a plus/minus of +3. He did not participate in the Griffins Calder Cup winning playoff run.
It wasn’t until this season when he took part in a full-season of hockey in North America and he has done it all as a member of the Griffins. He is the team’s third highest scorer upon his departure: 57 games, 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists), 14 penalty minutes, and a plus/minus of +19.
According to David Poile, the pressure is not there for Jarnkrok to make the Nashville Predators in the NHL this season following the trade (source). That means he jumps ship in the AHL’s Midwest Division from the Griffins to the Milwaukee Admirals. Something that we should all like for plenty of reasons. The biggest of which comes at the core of the division itself.
What makes his acquisition a double-win is that the Admirals will not only gain his services – but the Griffins will lose his. Jarnkrok has played in 9 games this season against the Admirals. In those games he had 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) while maintaining a +4 rating without a penalty taken. He comes to the Ads off of his best month of the season in regards to scoring: 12 points (3 goals, 9 assists) in 11 games… (this face)
The next steps taken are interesting in terms of Nashville and Milwaukee are concerned. Legwand’s spot in the Predators has been vacated for the first time since April, 1999. Who fills it up top and what is the long term future concerning guys in Milwaukee? Do centers with the Admirals get a better look up top this season or are more plans and moves going to take place over the upcoming offseason?
With the addition of Jarnkrok the Admirals now have five centers: Colton Sissons, Mark Van Guilder, Austin Watson, and Mathieu Tousignant. Not only does that mean another forward spot gets filled – but a center is likely to step out to the wing. I took to Twitter with my own projected set of lines to try and make sense of what could take place with the Admirals forward group come Friday night and came up with the following:
Possible lines for Friday: Salomaki-Sissons-Beck Moser-Jarnkrok-Forsberg Saponari-Van Guilder-Cehlin Tousignant-Watson-Rask
— Admirals Roundtable (@adsroundtable) March 6, 2014
It’s seriously just a guess on my part. In no way is this a reflection of what the team plans on doing. Still, if this came to pass, that would mean guys such as Mike Liambas and Kevin Henderson would be on the outside looking in. I could just as easily see Tousignant and Saponari rotating on those lines of mine. I think a pairing of Van Guilder and Tousignant would actually be fascinating to watch and, with his speed, I like Tousi on the wing rather than at center. That would mean a combo that has worked out well-enough this season when done, Watson and Saponari. Downside would be the absence of a better pairing for Watson this season, especially on the penalty kill, of him and Henderson. I can see someone like Liambas also moving in and out of the lineup with Rask when the team needs to flex its muscle.
Lots and lots of variables. And I’m not expecting anymore of the ol’ dressing seven defensemen that we became used to every now and again for the Admirals – who could double-up Beck or Forsberg on two lines throughout the game as they work through an added defenseman.
I plan on attending this morning’s practice to get a look for myself of just what’s going on in terms of possible pairings on the ice. I will also be interviewing head coach Dean Evason to hear his reaction from yesterday’s trade deadline day – and as many players as I can regarding the same subject.
If you have any questions that you would like to ask – drop it in the comments! I’m always up for asking questions that get thrown my way (looking at you Shalla).
Before going here is a little fun fact. Calle Jarnkrok is set to wear the same number that he wore with the Griffins as a member of the Admirals, #12. The player who wore that number last for the Admirals? Jarnkrok’s teammate at Brynas IF in 2011-12, Mattias Ekholm (#12, 2012-13 season). The player that wore it before Ekholm? Jarnkrok’s teammate at Brynas IF in 2012-13, Andreas Thuresson (#12, 2010-11 season).
What are your thoughts on the return for David Legwand? Did the Predators win this trade? Did you expect more trades from the organization yesterday? Where do the Admirals go from here? Which forwards might be on the outside looking in?
Austin Watson still wonders if Simon Moser adopted any adorable Sochi strays while participating in the Olympics. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
This was a move that seemed fairly possible with the news that everyone on the Nashville Predators roster was healthy for last night’s game against the Penguins. With Nick Spaling back off of IR and others cleared to play – the Predators reassigned Simon Moser to the Milwaukee Admirals this afternoon.
Moser was called up to the NHL just prior to the Olympics and rejoined the Predators after a brief stop in Milwaukee once the Olympic break ended. He has played 6 games with the Preds, produced 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist), has 2 penalty minutes, and is even on his plus/minus. With the Admirals he has played 42 games, scored 25 points (8 goals, 17 assists), recorded 8 penalty minutes, and a plus/minus of +1.
Thoughts on Moser being sent back down? Should he have remained with Nashville?
“Should I stay or should I go now? If I go there will be trouble. And if I stay it will be double. So come on and let me know! Should I stay or should I go.” (Photo Credit: Sarah Fuqua)
UPDATE: 4:00 PM Daniel Lavender
Welp, I don’t regret my decision to wake up and watch TSN TradeCentre from start to finish today! To see things happen in the organization that I didn’t expect, Dubnyk and Legwand both moving, were a pleasant surprise.
Nashville traded David Legwand to Detroit for Patrick Eaves, Calle Jarnkrok and a 3rd round pick.
There’s no certainty that Calle Jarnkrok immediately reports to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL considering a centerman spot just opened up in Nashville. There are reports suggesting that he might try to leave North America after this season. With the chance to play NHL hockey in Nashville after a trade like this. I can see that opinion changing with some NHL playing time.
I do wonder what a move like this does though for other young centers on the team such as Colton Sissons and Austin Watson. Does an addition such as Jarnkrok through them for a loop because they see themselves possibly one more down the pecking order or do they rise to the occasion? Pretty fascinating to see, as an organization, where that group goes from here – especially if they end up all playing together in Milwaukee very soon (it is a good problem to have).
That concludes my day racing through the NHL Trade Deadline Day news. Cheers for all of your constant updates in the comments and fun banter today.
UPDATE: 3:40 PM Jason Karnosky
What a wild ride this has been. Perhaps the most interesting trade deadline to date. Lots of trades, lots of contracts exchanged, trades that left you baffled (Thomas Vanek for what again?, NOW Vancouver trades Roberto Luongo, then doesn’t trade Ryan Kesler), a trade of the once-thought-to-be untradable Martin St. Louis, a big trade involving the original Nashville Predator David Legwand, a trade of an underachieving Predator once thought to be untradable due to his contract (Devan Dubnyk) and a big time prospect potentially headed to Milwaukee in Calle Jarnkrok.
I sign off for now and can’t wait for the next AHL/NHL puck to drop!
UPDATE: 3:20 PM Jason Karnosky
Pittsburgh G.M. Ray Shero is at it again. The Penguins picked up forward Lee Stempniak from Calgary. It appears to be a third-round pick going the other way:
Just under the trade deadline wire, Washington adds Jaroslav Halak from Buffalo (along with a 2015 third-round pick). The Slovakian goaltender last less than a week in the Queen City:
NASHVILLE PREDATORS UPDATE: 2:38 PM Jason Karnosky
Predators received forward Patrick Eaves, a prospect, plus a third-round pick in exchange for Legwand going to Detroit. Maybe there is a new face in Milwaukee coming soon?
According to @GMillerTSN, Preds get Patrick Eaves, a prospect and a 3rd-round pick for Legwand
Matt Moulson is moving on to his second team this season, joining the Minnesota Wild along with fellow forward Cody McCormick. Forward Torrey Mitchell is heading to Buffalo along with other assests unknown as of yet:
The Islanders get a second-round pick plus prospect Sebastien Collberg in the exchange. Hardly the high price tag return New York fans were probably expecting:
Vanek to Montreal in exchange for a 2nd round pick and a prospect
NASHVILLE PREDATORS UPDATE: 2:19 PM Daniel Lavender
David Legwand has waived his no-trade clause to become a member of the Detroit Red Wings. He was born in Detroit. No word on who the Predators are receiving in return for the trade. Stay tuned!
Colorado has added goaltender Reto Berra from Calgary for a draft pick. TSN reports at 4:13 Eastern than the Flames are getting a second-round pick in the exchange:
Avs acquire Reto Berra from Calgary for pick #DaterCentre
UPDATE: 2:05 PM Jason Karnosky
Minor trade to report: Vancouver has flipped defensman Raphael Diaz to New York in exchange for a fifth-round pick according to Pierre LeBrun:
Rangers get Diaz from Vancouver for a 5th-round pick
The clock on the NHL Trade Deadline is officially up! That doesn’t mean that deals can’t be processed though. It’s all a matter of what was worked out right ahead of the final horn.
That means the next hour should turn up with the last minute, or final second, deals that were made. Should trades of been made – they’ll be factored back into this story. Should trades not happen, looking at you two Islanders and Sabres, I think that will speak for itself.
UPDATE: 1:50 PM Jason Karnosky
Sounds like the Philadelphia Flyers are sending Andrej Meszaros to Boston for a third-round pick. Strange move between two heated rivals, but I’m guessing fellow Slovakian Zdeno Chara played a role in pushing this trade:
Flyers sending Andrej Meszaros to Boston. 3rd round pick in return.
Things are heating up between Minnesota and Buffalo on Matt Moulson, but no trade as of yet. Not much chirping on Thomas Vanek though, however.
UPDATE: 1:23 PM Daniel Lavender
So much for the greatest reality show that could have been! Tim Thomas is on the move to the Dallas Stars in exchange for former Nashville Predator goaltender Dan Ellis.
My guess is that after last night’s loss, G.M. David Poile might think that Nashville is now too far back to make the playoffs.
Former Nashville Predator Marcel Goc is on his way to Pittsburgh from Florida according to Pierre LeBrun (below). As Lavender stated in the comments, a third- and fifth-round pick going the other way.
Penguins get Marcel Goc from Panthers for two picks…
Marian Gaborik is on his way to L.A. from Columbus. I would expect the Blue Jackets to be on the hook for at least a portion of the Slovakian’s remaining salary. Per Bob McKenzie via Twitter:
On-again, off-again Marian Gaborik to LAK from CBJ appear to be “on” again. If completed, bet on CBJ picking up big portion of Gabby money.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS UPDATE: 11:49 AM Daniel Lavender
Devan Dubnyk has been traded from the Nashville Predators to the Montreal Canadiens for future considerations (source). Very intrigued to see who picks up what on Dubnyk’s contract. If the Predators cleared him completely off of the books – it’s a win.
This sort of move can easily get lost in the rest of the day – prospect for prospect.
UPDATE: 11:37 AM Daniel Lavender
David Legwand has taken to the ice for the Nashville Predators for morning practice via Joshua Cooper. So far, that is the most that I have heard on the Preds trade front all day. (I know, I know)
UPDATE: 11:23 AM Daniel Lavender
There is the possibility that Ales Hemsky of the Edmonton Oilers is heading to the Ottawa Senators. The Sens and Pittsburgh Penguins are the two teams duking it out for Hemsky’s services. Per Bob McKenzie on Twitter, this could be a deal complete soon and with draft picks heading to Edmonton in exchange:
Hearing EDM’s Ales Hemsky is going to OTT for picks. No official confirmation or details just yet.
Just as I was writing this – confirmed! That will be a third round (2015) and a fifth round draft pick (2014) for Hemsky. Edmonton is also eating half of Hemsky’s contract for the rest of the season. Quite surprised that the deal wasn’t for more than just that for Ales.
UPDATE: 11:10 AM Jason Karnosky
There are a couple of waiver claims to add to our conversation: Buffalo added former Milwaukee Admirals forward Corey Conacher, while Boston picked up defenseman Corey Potter. Chris Phillips was signed by Ottawa to a two-year contract, taking him out of play for now.
UPDATE: 10:23 AM Daniel Lavender
The first dominoes to fall today and, boy, is this a big one. The New York Rangers trade Ryan Callahan, first round draft pick (2015), and second round draft pick (2014) to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Martin St. Louis. Captain for Captain deal. It’s still pending a trade call but that call is reportedly taking place right now. (source)
Per TSN’s Tradecentre coverage, if Callahan signs on with the Lightning an added conditional draft pick will be heading to the New York Rangers. Lots of technicalities in the deal as it turns out:
More details: the 2nd-rounder in 2014 to Tampa becomes a 1st if NYR gets to conf final; if Callahan re-signs in TB (con’td)
Interestingly, the Lightning could still look to move Callahan prior to the deadline. His day still might not be done.
UPDATE: 10:00 AM Daniel Lavender
It sounds like a Ryan Callahan for Martin St. Louis move might be close. It seems like the Rangers have been the lone team really gunning for St. Louis. I wonder if they might be outbidding themselves here.
TSN’s Bob McKenzie tweeted that it looks like the trade could be Callahan, plus a first and second round pick for St. Louis. However, nothing confirmed as of yet:
No official confirmations (yet) but hearing NYR are prepared to trade Callahan, plus 1st rd pick and 2nd rd pick for Marty St. Louis. Close.
Lots of Twitter chatter involving Paul Statsny. Colorado extended him a contract offer, but at this point there’s no word on whether he will sign it. Statsny is at the end of a huge contract, and is having a great season this year with the surprising Avalanche. I just don’t see him being traded.
Steven Stamkos has also been given the green light to return to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Talk about a great trade deadline pickup! Even if he has a beef with management, not sure why Martin St. Louis would want to leave playing alongside of Stamkos.
UPDATE: 9:30 AM Daniel Lavender
Ryan Callahan has taken the ice for the morning skate for the Rangers. They’ve reportedly agreed to six-years on a contract but are still apart by a half-million dollars when it comes to the money side of the deal.
UPDATE: 8:30 AM Jason Karnosky
All quiet on the trade front as of 8:30am CST. Usually things start picking up in an hour or two, but for now lets take a little run down yesterday’s memory lane.
Tuesday’s traded players included Roberto Luongo, Martin Erat, Dustin Penner, Andrew MacDonald, Stephane Robidas, Viktor Fasth and Ilya Bryzgalov. Plenty of big names are in play today, and plenty of quality spare parts are available as well.
Early Twitter chatter is pointing to potential trades involving forwards Chris Stewart and Ales Hemsky. Defenseman Chris Phillips has been offered an extension by Ottawa. The Martin St. Louis to the New York Rangers rumor is still afloat.
It should be a fun day. Stay tuned for more updates!
ORIGINAL POST: 7:00 AM Daniel Lavender
The NHL’s Trade Deadline caps off at 2:00pm CST this afternoon. Yesterday saw plenty of activity without even some of the more highly talked about dominoes falling: Ryan Kesler, Thomas Vanek, Ryan Callahan, Martin St. Louis, or the Nashville Predators’ David Legwand.
There is still plenty of time for anything, everything, or nothing to really happen in the Nashville Predators organization today. That’s what makes this day one of the more fun days on the NHL calendar because that can pretty much be said for all teams this morning. Who acts first? Who steps up big for a top name? And can we expect the unexpected with players we wouldn’t have anticipated be moved around?
Jason and I will be updating this post throughout the day with the confirmed news of trades that take place today. Until then, grab your coffee and let’s talk NHL Trade Deadline Day in the comments as the news feeds get hot with rumors, activity, and actual transactions!
Who stays? Who goes? Will Nashville be making any deals today?
What do you think of Pekka’s new mask? What are some of your favorite masks in goaltending right now? If you could have a goalie mask made – what do you put on it?
Pekka Rinne will start in net for the Nashville Predators tonight. Is this return the start of a playoff push or a guise for moves to be made in the hours after? (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
The NHL Trade Deadline is 2:00 pm (CST) tomorrow. With the return of Pekka Rinne to the Nashville Predators net tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins – it begs asking: what will the organization do?
In my gut right now – I honestly feel like the Predators organization will not move a single player come the deadline. And, for those who didn’t catch the dialogue from Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager David Poile yesterday, it should be enough to tell you why my gut might be right.
“Getting Pekka back and seeing how we’ve played just before the Olympic break and in the last two games, even though we lost one, I feel as encouraged as I have all year.” David Poile
“So there’s a lot of factors that look to me like David is going to be here. The most overriding one is that we’re only four points out of the playoffs, we’re getting Pekka Rinne back and I believe we’re playing the best we have all year. So it feels right now that David is going to be here.” David Poile
It could just mask the inner workings of some potential moves but, really, I doubt it. The top target is David Legwand. Poile makes a claim such as that and I’m thinking he only moves if the perfect deal comes to them. They won’t be the ones actively selling him. They will be sitting back looking for a buyer.
Will this scenario change? We’ll find out come deadline day. I feel the position will be patiently awaiting buyers to come calling – they will certainly be listening – but a move comes only if it impacts the team long-term future (think Filip Forsberg‘s trade last season).
If there were suddenly a change of heart and the team suddenly became a buyer in the wake of Rinne’s return to Nashville – what could that mean in terms of Milwaukee?
Should things turn that way, I feel players along the lines of Colton Sissons, Miikka Salomaki, Austin Watson, and Taylor Beck all become attractive options for teams looking to build on future NHL talent. I don’t feel any of these players are untouchable by any means. Still, talking from that gut again, I have a hard time seeing the future take a backseat to the present.
When looking at the goaltending situation for the Admirals – they may well have Devan Dubnyk in the mix very soon. He was officially put on waivers by the Predators yesterday afternoon and is in the last year of a 3.75 million dollar contract. With how he performed this season: (Overall) 11-18-3 record, 3.43 GAA, .891 SV%, 2 shutouts… (Nashville) 0-1-1 record, 4.35 GAA, 0.850 SV% :I very much doubt there’ll be that many teams interested in paying that price for that output in net.
That would mean having one expensive back-up on the Admirals bench (possibly). I highly doubt you would see Dubnyk, if he makes it to Milwaukee, take development and game action time from the likes of Marek Mazanec, Magnus Hellberg, or Scott Darling.
I feel as though Hellberg will return to the mix in a matter of two weeks or so from his lower-body injury. He should head to the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL to return to game speed and test himself physically when he comes back. For Darling, this was a three-game process after his lower-body injury. If it goes the same way – the Admirals will be left to decide an odd man out. If Dubnyk ends up within that mix – the Admirals will be left with the possible decision to send down two goalies, both proven in the AHL, to the ECHL.
The long story short, too late, is that this is a wild and wacky time to sit back from our side of things and await the news to come – or not come. I really expect minimal moves from the Nashville organization come this deadline. There are some decent names on the market right now. Ryan Kesler, Ryan Callahan, and Martin St. Louis come to mind. Are they capable of making a run at any of them? I highly, highly doubt it.
If you were David Poile – what do you do? Should the Predators be buyers or sellers? Who do they buy? Who do they sell? Are there any Milwaukee Admirals who should be feeling anxious as this deadline approaches?
There and Back Again. A Goaltending Story by Scott Darling. (Photo Credit: Mark Newman)
Pekka Rinne up, Scott Darling also up. It was just last week when I put together a feature story on Darling. Turned out to be somewhat awful timing considering he was sent down the same day. There has been a sharp focus on what Rinne does in his return to game action. Perhaps lost in that was some of what went on in Cincinnati during that time. How did everybody do?
Darling made two starts with the Cyclones of the ECHL. His first start was somewhat shades of his last outing in the AHL with the Admirals. He played absolutely out of his mind good – only to take a loss in the shootout. In that game he stopped 45 of 46 shots on goal and allowed the one and only goal against in the shootout on the game’s final attempt before sudden death.
His second outing might not have been great on the scorer’s sheet, allowing 5 goals from 37 shots, but that game was an open throttle game of crazy: Cyclones won it 7-5 – and, at one point, led by a score of 6-0 before allowing 5 unanswered goals.
The bloke that went down with him to Cinci last week, Zach Budish, played in three games, picked up an assist, registered a lone shot on goal, and has a plus/minus of -1. With Admirals camp still busy with plenty of healthy bodies (for a change) it could mean he stays around the ECHL for a small while. To me, that is a huge plus for his development because I have liked what I’ve seen from him this year in limited quantities. More ice time. More chance to sharpen up.
UPDATE: Just as I posted this news broke that the Nashville Predators have decided to put Devan Dubnyk on waivers.
Will Scott Darling be your man between the pipes next time out? Do you think Darling missed out on the Pekka Rinne and Mitch Korn show while they were in Milwaukee? How do you feel Zach Budish will do in the ECHL and when should we expect him back?
Pekka Rinne’s return to the city of Milwaukee might have been brief, but he provided us all with reminders of just how classy he is both on and off the ice. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
Pekka Rinne’s return to the ice was fantastic news for the Nashville Predators organization. The Predators have missed their rock in net for up to four months after an infection related to his off-season hip surgery. They’ve been hanging outside of the playoff picture this season and Rinne’s return offers hope that there still could be a late surge for playoff hockey.
“It’s pretty straight forward,” said Pekka Rinne when asked of his goals upon returning to Nashville. “It’s making the playoffs.”
Having followed this story since essentially late-October, the speculation train traveled miles and miles through when he would return to the rink. In time for the Olympics? Just prior to the Olympics? During the Olympics? After? Not at all? It was all a mystery and for good reason. There really wasn’t a baseline for an athlete such as Pekka Rinne experiencing an E. Coli infection. It was that uncertainty that made this a waiting game for all involved. Priority #1, his health.
It may have taken massive patience on his part but he finally started ramping up his recovery process at the start of February. That was merely a trial run for the practice session he would take part in two weeks later. The more he practiced the more the rumor mill swirled over the possibilities of his possible conditioning stint. Then it became a reality on Wednesday of last week. He was coming back to the Admirals.
What truly made this a special moment was that Rinne wasn’t just getting the chance to hit the ice for a game for the first time in four months – it was that he was able to make his return where his career in North America all started, Milwaukee. The time that he spent in this city was instrumental in his development. Not only on the ice, where he spent three-seasons with the Admirals, but off of the ice. He was adapting to life in a new country. He needed to learn a new language, had to figure out how to do day-to-day tasks such as paying the bills, and didn’t find himself in a car of his own until his final season in the AHL.
During last season’s 35th Anniversary campaign he was selected as the top Admiral of all-time. His work in net over three-seasons saw him play 145 games, post 81 wins, a 2.54 GAA, 0.911 SV%, and record a total of 10 shutouts. He also played in 24 playoff games for the Ads where he won 12 games, had a 2.76 GAA, 0.907 SV%, and 4 shutouts.
The frenzy involved with his arrival to the city and return to game action saw the likes of myself and a few other local media types, here’s looking at you Fox 6, turn up for morning skate on Friday. In fact, Jeremy Gover and Robby Stanley made the drive up to Milwaukee all the way from Nashville to take part in the festivities.
The game that would follow was nothing short of special. The Admirals routed the Iowa Wild to the tune of 9-1. While most admitted that there wasn’t much in the way of “work” for Rinne to do in the game, it was what was happening outside of the rink that was really moving to me.
When the Admirals step out of the tunnel for pre-game skate, there is typically a minor acknowledgement on the part of the fans to salute their team the very first chance they get. Still, plenty are walking through the gates and many more are circling the complex. For Rinne’s return on Friday night, there was almost a tension brewing in the building as the scoreboard clock was counting down to the pre-game skate siren. Fans along the Admirals tunnel were all peering in to get their first glance of him. Then, high fives to as many fans as he could reach, and Rinne stepped onto the ice to a great reception.
That was just the pre-game skate. When his name was mentioned by Milwaukee Admirals radio play-by-play man Aaron Sims during his keys to the game – another pop.
First time anyone had ever cheered a “Key to the Game”. The applause coming from “Key 3: Pekka Rinne”
When he was introduced by name, by former-Admirals Roundtable editor-in-chief Ryan Miller I might add, the crowd was on their feet letting him know they (1) missed him (2) were excited for him (3) couldn’t wait to see what he can do. The fans then stayed for the three stars of the game and gave Rinne another incredibly warm ovation. It was something that was clearly not lost on him at all.
“That felt great,” smiled Rinne. “I really appreciate it. For sure, it made me feel welcome and made me feel great. I had three really good years here and I thought that I always had a good relationship with the fans. And I really appreciate their response.”
The attendance for Friday’s game was 6,492. So how would things go with a Sunday crowd of 15,021?
In truth, every single aspect felt the same on Sunday except for the game – which produced a few less goals than the prior night. He wasn’t forced to handle many shots in that game either, but the amount of blocked shots and skipping pucks, all while the Rochester Americans crashed the net, meant his focus had to be perfect the entire game. It was.
The only goals he had allowed during the weekend came from mistakes.
On Friday, the Admirals forgot to send a player into the penalty box to serve a Mike Liambas boarding major – and were caught with four-players on the ice as a result. Dean Evason admitted to the mistake as they tried getting a player to the box following Joonas Rask’s shorthanded goal. They failed to get a man in the box and, therefore, needed to wait until the next whistle before a player could join the ice. The next whistle came after the Wild’s lone goal of the game was scored – a Zach Miskovic shot that fluttered through traffic and in.
Sunday, the Admirals were caught up in the moment of Charles-Olivier Roussel’s opening goal – defensemen were aggressively skating up after the Admirals lost the faceoff draw – and Jamie Tardif was off to the races for a breakaway.
The goal from the Wild in the grand scheme of Friday’s game, 9-1 Ads win, didn’t mean too much. The goal from Rochester is one that he could have made huge stop to bail out a mental lapse from the team in front of him and he couldn’t. Of the two goals allowed, both from mistakes out of his control, it is the second one that could give him a cringe, sigh, repeat memory of his return – which could have ended with a shutout victory. And, I suppose, some could argue for him possibly heading back to Nashville after back-to-back shutouts had those mistakes not been made.
Conditioning was the name of this assignment and in the two games he logged 121:28 minutes in net. It never looked like fatigue was a factor to his performance. Credit that to an Admirals defense that took much pressure off of him with two of their most structured defensive games of the season. Still, it should be a major plus for Rinne, as he returns to the Nashville Predators, that he knocked the rust off, experienced what you simply can’t simulate in practice, and skated off from both games looking and feeling good.
“It was great,” said Rinne. “I couldn’t be happier. It’s been a long time since playing games. It was a great opportunity for me to come down here in Milwaukee. It kind of went both ways. I feel like I was able to help the team a little bit and they helped me to get some game action. It was a great opportunity for me. Really happy that I came.”
My last snippet worth mentioning, and what truly sums up Pekka Rinne’s return to Milwaukee for me, was what happened as he skated off of the Bradley Center ice. I didn’t see it happen in person but the squadron of fans seated around the Admirals tunnel alerted me to it. In typical Rinne style, he skated off after being announced as the game’s second star and handed his goalie stick to a kid. That’s the type of person he is. Absolute class.
There is a good chance that he makes his return to the Nashville Predators net tomorrow night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. When asked if that is something he felt he could do he said, “I’m ready to go. Absolutely. 100%.” Should that happen, I feel an equally warm response will be given in Nashville as it was in Milwaukee. For a man that carries himself with such class and professionalism. He deserves nothing less every time he takes to the ice.
Did you get to attend any of the games this weekend? How do you feel Pekka Rinne will play in his return to the NHL after this stint with the Admirals?
Dear Nashville. Pekka Watch is over. Watch Pekka begins. (Photo Credit: Scott Paulus)
The Admirals did something they’ve only done four times from ten chances today: win in overtime. You can thank two goals from Charles-Oliver Roussel and Pekka Rinne’s glove-side post for denying Luke Adam’s shot in OT.
After the game I had the opportunity to speak with Dean Evason, Pekka Rinne, Charles-Oliver Roussel, and Scott Ford. Here is what they had to say following their 2-1 OT victory over the Rochester Americans.
Admirals Roundtable 