For those of you that became Scott Darling fans last season, that were bummed out to hear that he had signed a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks organization, and wondered who could be that third-man in when it came to the Admirals goaltending situation – great news! Today, the Milwaukee Admirals have announced the signing of Rob Madore to an AHL contract.
Madore was phenomenal during the Cincinnati Cyclones Kelly Cup playoff run this past season. In 24 playoff games he won 14 games, posted a 2.29 goals against average, a 0.930 save percentage, and took home the MVP honors for the playoffs – becoming the first man in ECHL history to win it on the losing side of the Finals.
In addition to that news, the Milwaukee Admirals have also signed Triston Grant to a one-year AHL contract. Grant was a member of the Admirals from 2008-10. In those two-seasons he produced 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) and amassed 389 penalty minutes. Last season with the Grand Rapids Griffins he played 51 games, scored 16 points (6 goals, 10 assists), recorded 103 penalty minutes, and had a plus/minus rating of +6. At the age of 30-years old he brings much needed veteran experience to an incredibly young 2014-15 Admirals roster.
Also worth noting, for those still awaiting Scott Ford news, the addition of Grant could be a boost for one more season. The two are best buddies after all .
What are your thoughts on today’s signings by the Milwaukee Admirals? What does the addition of Rob Madore mean for Magnus Hellberg?
Admirals Roundtable 
Hellberg (or Mazanec) better not drop the ball, err, puck, too many times. Madore was fantastic with the Cyclones during their playoff run. If has a similar path to Darling’s at all the guys with the Preds contracts could be on outside looking in.
Honestly, the Grant signing confuses me. I’m not sure what role he fills. Is he supposed to be a Tousignant replacement? Or is pretty much just what you note in the article, a veteran presence?
I wouldn’t mind seeing him flying around on a low line with Liambas… He can rough em up a bit and Liambas can take em down if they get chippy… So yeah, similar to the Tousi pest role, but maybe more offensively gifted
I agree with Fan in the Falls Hellberg (or Mazanec) better not drop the puck to many times. Madore was phenomenal during the playoffs. I look forward to following him this
Hockey season. I am sure it will be an exciting season , just like it was with Darling.
Triston Grant is a familiar fan favorite that will instantly add some much needed leadership and character to the Milwaukee Admirals. Offensively, Grant likely won’t provide much. However, I would expect him to produce a little more for a team in Milwaukee that plays a style, unlike Grand Rapids, that is a little more fitting to his game. I think something along the lines of his 11 goals and 4 assists back in 2011-2012 with Oklahoma City is a fair estimate. He also comes with 11 invaluable games of NHL experience, including three with Nashville and eight with Philadelphia.
The Rob Madore signing certainly ups the ante for Magnus Hellberg especially, and a little bit for Marek Mazanec, Nashville’s future goaltenders in waiting. Recently, Jeremy Smith received a boost from a big Calder Cup playoff run to become a solid AHL goaltender and a fringe NHLer. Can Madore do the same? Will he get the chance to?
Nashville/Milwaukee is once again awfully deep at that position with a depth chart of Rinne, Hutton, Mazanec, Hellberg and Madore. Admirals camp should be extremely competitive at that position, just like it was last year with Scott Darling, Marek Mazanec and Magnus Hellberg, and a few years prior with Chet Pickard, Jeremy Smith and Mark Dekanec.
Prior his ECHL playoff run, I didn’t really know much about him other than the fact that the Pittsburgh native was an underrated goaltender at the University of Vermont and a servicable goaltender in his few games at the AHL level. At 26-years-old, he like Darling last year and Hutton prior, might just be coming into his own, something not untypical for a goaltender.
The Grant signing is one im excited about. It always fun seeing a guy return here makes ya feel like they genuinely enjoy their time here. Aside from that Grant adds a much needed enforcing role out their, he knows how to fight when needed and will keep an eye on some of Nashville’s top prospects. He’s not just a fighter but adds depth scoring To the team. A third line with him Liambas and maybe Watson or MVG would be great. He also might be able to help us figure out why we were so bad vs Grand Rapids last year. I never like counting the chickens before they hatch but so far with the moves between Nashville n Milwaukee im really excited for the season!
I think that both signings will be good for the team.
I thought that Ford was best buddies with Valentine? I saw them at the Brewers game last year.
I was in Rochester for the Friday after Thanksgiving Day game in 2010, a Rochester tradition. Grant was out of the line up that day. I was disappointed to miss him. This will boost the spirits of the team and the fans in Milwaukee.