This week the Binghamton Senators and Hamilton Bulldogs are staging a home-and-home series at their respective NHL team’s rinks for the third consecutive year.

Why do I bring up this fact?

In its brief history this miniseries has been extremely successful at the gate.  At Scotiabank Place, the AHL Sens drew 8,427 for Hamilton’s 5-2 win over Binghamton on November 13.  Meanwhile, in all five of Hamilton games played in Montreal, attendance has not dipped below 14,500 for any contest.

Obviously, Montreal and Ottawa are hockey-mad Canadian markets where just about any professional game would sell tickets, but with the addition of the Charlotte Checkers to the Midwest division, a new possibility has developed that Nashville and Carolina could potentially choose to exploit.

What if Milwaukee and Charlotte staged a home-and-home series in their respective NHL affiliate’s rinks, paired with a Nashville-Carolina series? 

It is no secret that come this upcoming summer’s realignment, Nashville would favor a move into a division with the rest of the teams located in the geographic Southeast–this idea might help the cause.

Normally, a Nashville-Carolina game isn’t a marquee event that would draw sellouts.  But this could draw interest with the fan bases of both Milwaukee and Charlotte, who could travel to attend a two-game combo–an AHL game in the afternoon combined with an NHL game at night.

With some luck Nashville vs. Carolina and Milwaukee vs. Charlotte could develop into a rivalry, with opposing tailgates to boot.  The Predators and Hurricanes play often during the preseason, this would just take things a step further.

So Roundtable . . . What do you think?  Is this idea too far-fetched, or would you be interested in a fan bus to Tennessee for a Milwaukee/Nashville combo day against Charlotte and Carolina?

Today the American Hockey League announced that four former players have been named to the Hall of Fame Class of 2012.

The inductees are: Joe Crozier, Jack Gordon, John Stevens and Zellio Toppazzini.

“These four individuals enjoyed significant careers and are legendary figures in the rich history of the American Hockey League,” said David Andrews, AHL President and Chief Executive Officer.” The AHL Board of Governors is pleased to support the selection committee’s recommendation for their induction into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame.”

Certainly this is an impressive list of inductees, though I am only familiar with John Stevens’ career both as a coach and player.  The addition of these four members brings the AHL Hall of Fame list to 30 in total.

Though Milwaukee has only existed as an AHL franchise since 2001, I am curious to think about which former or current Admirals might eventually belong on this list.  My two initial Milwaukee inductees would be Tony Hrkac and Darren Haydar.

So Roundtable, What do think? Which former or current Admirals would you select for the AHL Hall of Fame and why?

After eight minutes and 32 seconds of National Hockey League ice time suiting up for the Nashville Predators, forward Ryan Thang was returned to Milwaukee Tuesday.

Thang’s NHL debut came Monday night at the United Center against the Chicago Blackhawks.  However, Milwaukee’s leading goal scorer failed to record his first NHL point.

The 5-4 overtime loss also just happened to be in Thang’s hometown–not a bad way to get an NHL start.

During Thang’s brief time with the Predators, the Admirals dropped a 5-3 decision at home to Texas Sunday afternoon.  Certainly Milwaukee could have used Thang, who also leads the Admirals in plus/minus with a positive eight rating.

Thang should be in the Admirals’ lineup for Milwaukee’s first ever AHL contest Friday night against the 6-3-1 Charlotte Checkers–the current Midwest Division Leaders.

So Roundtable…Feel free to welcome back Ryan Thang, and does anyone else other than me still find it weird that Charlotte is in the Midwest Division?

After a win and a shootout loss at Abbotsford, the road weary Milwaukee Admirals return to the Midwest for the team’s first AHL staple–three game in three nights.

Friday night’s game marks Milwaukee’s third against Chicago (and second road contest) in October.  The previous two match ups against the Wolves could not have gone better for the Admirals, with both resulting in Milwaukee victories–a 4-1 decision at home on October 14 followed up the next night by a 3-2 road triumph.

After the short visit to the Windy City, Milwaukee will return to Wisconsin for home cooking against Grand Rapids and Texas, Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Though the Admirals had a week to rest off the lengthy weekend, backing up a trip to Western Canada with a 3-in-3 slate (which includes a road game) should provide an early conditioning test for Milwaukee and more importantly show how comfortable coach Kirk Muller is with rolling four lines and separate goaltenders.

Count Ryan Thang as one of many Admirals that saw last weekend’s long trip as beneficial.

“The only thing I can compare (to the trip to Abbotsford) was heading up to Fairbanks to play Alaska back in college,” said Thang of the voyage that required changing planes in Seattle. “But it was good for us to get away for a bit and have a little bit of team building over the weekend.”

So Roundtable, How many points does Milwaukee need to earn for this weekend to be considered a success? With the travel would three be sufficient? Or are you looking for four or more?

After the first two weekends of the season, Milwaukee is one of just three AHL teams remaining without a loss.  The Admirals are also the only unbeaten club left in the Western Conference, and the only one of the three unbeaten teams (Syracuse and Worchester are the other two squads) that has won more than two games.

Today the AHL Weekly Release leads with props for Midwest Division Leaders:

The Milwaukee Admirals are the only team in the Western Conference without a defeat to date, opening the year with three victories. The Admirals, who have registered at least 40 wins and 90 points in each of their last eight seasons, have a new head coach in Kirk Muller and the fourth-youngest roster in the league (as of opening night), including rookie defenseman and 2009 first-round draft choice (11th overall) Ryan Ellis. With wins in Peoria and Chicago to start the season, Milwaukee has extended its own AHL record by earning standings points in 18 consecutive regular-season road games (12-0-4-2).

Roundtable…Feel free to add your own superlatives describing Milwaukee’s fast start in the comments section below.

News out of Nashville today is that Zack Stortini cleared waivers and has been assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals.

Nashville’s loss is Milwaukee’s gain as the Admirals add a player with 257 games of NHL experience, including 14 goals and 27 assists.  In Stortini, the Admirals add grit and tenacity, as 725 minutes in penalties at the NHL level can attest.  Other than his penalty minutes, the other statistic that stands out for Stortini is that he was a plus player in two of his last four seasons with struggling Edmonton Oilers (+3 in 2009-10 and +3 in 2007-08).

The 26-year-old was also a key cog for the first year Oklahoma City Barons last spring, playing in 29 AHL games, while helping the rookie franchise reach the playoffs.  He also has 37 games of experience skating for the Admirals during the 2005-06.

This season Stortini suited up for one game with Nashville, racking up seven PIMs in just under five minutes of ice time.  One would expect that amount to rise with Milwaukee.

So Roundtable, How will you welcome back Zack Stortini?

The Nashville Predators have claimed veteran tough guy Brian McGrattan from the Anaheim Ducks.

Starting in 2005-06, McGrattan has played in 182 games with Ottawa, Phoenix and Calgary, racking up 395 penalty minutes along with 14 points (three goals, 11 assists).  Last season McGrattan split time between Providence and Syracuse of the American Hockey League, notching 15 points and 153 minutes in penalties in 59 games.  The 30-year-old forward did make the Ducks opening night lineup this season, but had yet to play in a regular season game.

To clear space for McGrattan, the Predators placed Zack Stortini on waivers.  If Stortini clears, he will likely be assigned to Milwaukee, returning to the team he played 37 games for during the 05-06 season.  Stortini saw one game of NHL action this year for Nashville, racking up 7 PIMs.

However, with Stortini’s favorable contract, there will likely be interest from another NHL team looking to add a little bit of toughness.

First off I want to wish my congratulations to Madison native Craig Smith for making the Nashville Predators out of training camp.

But being from Wisconsin’s capital city, I feel I need to speak a few words on his behalf.  Craig Smith is the type of player that should succeed in the National Hockey League.  He has all the raw tools as a forward: the size, the speed, the physicality, the scoring touch, and the ability to beat a defenseman 1-on-1.   If you are an NHL scout or fan of hockey, you can’t help but be impressed by Smith’s talent level.

However, something was never quite right with Smith in college.  He was dominate player, as 27 goals and 76 points in two years can attest to, but Smith was also a bad penalty waiting to happen on a disciplined hockey team, racking up a whopping 154 minutes of sin bin time.  He also struggled to score against his team’s best opponents.  Smith’s three multigoal games last year all came against non-NCAA tournament teams (Holy Cross, Canisius and Bemidji State).

No doubt Smith’s aggressive style will go over well with Nashville fans.  If Predators coach Barry Trotz can continue the process started by Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves of trying to make Smith a smarter hockey player, Nashville might have a real gem on their hands.

“According to some of people I’ve talked to, Craig hasn’t looked out of place at all (with Nashville) at rookie and training camp,” Eaves said. “One of the goals of his life was to play at the National Hockey League level.  He sensed an opportunity to get there this year, so he’s determined (to do just that).”

It seems the Nashville Predators have made their decision on which goaltenders they would prefer to carry for the 2011-2012 NHL campaign.

No surprise here, but netminder Jeremy Smith was returned to Milwaukee this evening, just in time to potentially suit up at tomorrow’s training camp session in the Brew city.

After an impressive AHL post season run last spring (on top of an stellar ECHL run a year before that), Smith continued to make noise as a prospect with his solid play during this fall’s Predators training camp.  Nashville general manager David Poile will likely have Smith’s number on speed dial in case of another Pekka Rinne injury this season.

Now back down on the farm full time, Smith has a chance to turn some heads and get noticed on larger scale with the Admirals as he will likely see the majority of starts for Milwaukee.  Goaltenders Atte Engren and Chet Pickard are left to battle for the coveted backup slot for a team with numerous three games in three nights scenarios early in their AHL schedule.

So Roundtable, handicap the horse race for backup goaltender, will it be Engren or Pickard? In a spot start for Smith, who would you rather see between the pipes for the Admirals?

It is official the 2011 NHL preseason is underway for the Nashville Predators.

This afternoon the Predators are taking on the Florida Panthers, as I type the score is 3-2 Nashville in the third period (no idea officially who has the goals).  The two teams will then rematch at 6:30 central time.

In today’s games Nashville will be playing with youth-laden lineups (On the Predators website, Predators.NHL.com, there is an excellent list of all of the Predators Prospects).  Many of the names on that prospects list will form the nucleus of the 2011-2012 Milwaukee Admirals.

Here is a list of who is skating for Nashville this afternoon.  I would expect some changes to that group for tonight, though I have yet to find that list (and in case you missed it, here is a list of Nashville’s training camp rosters from over the weekend).

Tomorrow Nashville has another preseason game at Baltimore, Maryland against the Washington Capitals.  Needless to say the Predators front office will have a lot of information to chew on by Wednesday.