At 3 P.M. on Thursday afternoon we should finally get our first look at the 2011-2012 American Hockey League regular season schedule.  The proposed schedule is pending league approval by the Board of Governors, but as far as I know, there shouldn’t be anything holding back its release.

Ryan has already mentioned a few dates that are already penciled in as Bradley Center contests, but here are a few things that I will be keeping my eye on.

1) How will the AHL handle the Rochester Americans and the Charlotte Checkers?

Last season Rochester played in the Western Conference, but only halfheartedly, with a large portion of its schedule being teams from the East.  Rochester changed hands in the off-season, becoming a part of the new big budget beast in the East–the Terry Pegula-owned Buffalo Sabres franchise.

This season another geographically eastern team moves west, and not even to a primarily “eastern” West Division, but into the Midwest Division.  Charlotte is over 14 hours by bus from Milwaukee, and over 13 hours from Peoria, which is its closest geographic rival.  Obviously, the Checkers will be racking up the frequent flier miles this season.

I expect more of the same with a hybrid style schedule for Charlotte and Rochester, but it becomes more difficult with two teams to take care of instead of one.

2) Division Games vs. Conference Games vs. Inter-Conference Games, how will that shake out?

I have yet to see how the AHL is planning on breaking down the actual team slates.  With the two obvious outliers in Charlotte and Rochester, and the five West Division teams being so far away from everyone but themselves, it will be curious to see how this breaks down.  I still expect unbalances to be prevalent, but the AHL loves Division games.  Just how many will there be in 2011-2012?

3) The Abbotsford question?

In case you have forgotten, there still is one team in the AHL located no where near any other–the Abbotsford Heat (as long as you forget that there is now a team in Newfoundland).  Travel expenses for this franchise will border on ridiculous in 2011-2012 no matter how you breakdown the schedule.

Lets also not forget Milwaukee’s strange scheduling with the Heat over the past two years.  Will the Admirals even get to see Abbotsford in the calender year of 2012?  I am assuming Milwaukee’s players would prefer to get that road trip out of the way earlier rather than later, but a late date at Abbotsford could be a difficult thing to contend with.

So Roundtable, what are looking for in the schedule to be released tomorrow?

Another day, another Nashville Predator leaves the Music City for another organization.  Defenseman Shane O’Brien has bolted for Colorado, signing a one year, $1.1 million contract.

In the grand scheme of things, this decision isn’t exactly a significant one.  O’Brien is a 4th-to-7th defenseman in the NHL and those players are somewhat interchangeable, especially in an organization like Nashville that is so deep on the blueline.

However, how this becomes a factor is in the Predators’ organizational depth.  The vacated roster spots formerly occupied by players such as Ward, Franson, Sullivan,  Goc and O’Brien will have to be filled.  Some replacements like Niclas Bergfors and others have been added, but overall this seems like a perplexing trend for an organization that is coming off a breakout year.

I know better than to doubt Nashville G.M. David Poile and the Predators’ grand game plan, which likely has cornerstone defenseman Shea Weber under a long term contract as its centerpiece, but I think something needs to be said about what kind of AHL team the Nashville organization will be placing on the ice in Milwaukee next season.

So far Nashville is looking at a minimum of three-to-five bodies that it is going to need to replace on a permanent basis from within.  Again no surprise for the Predators.

However, does that mean that players like Blake Geoffrion, Chris Mueller, Teemu Laakso and Gabriel Bourque might not be back to Milwaukee by default?  Are these potential Admirals ready for the next stage of their careers?  Who steps into Milwaukee next year to fill their void?

Roundtable, what do you think about the current makeup of the Nashville organization as a whole?

The AHL has announced a new format for determining playoff teams in 2011-2012, with the league splitting from four divisions to six divisions of five teams each.

Charlotte got bumped into the Western Conference.  Meanwhile, St. John’s (formerly Manitoba) treks to the East.  Western teams can all breath a sign of relief that they won’t have to make the voyage to Newfoundland on a regular basis.

The exact number of games against in-division teams and in-conference teams has yet to be determined.  However, the playoff format is set to go, with the first round being a best of five series followed by best of seven series in the remaining three rounds.  The three division winners from each conference will claim the top three spots (just like the current NHL format), and each conference will reseed the highest-to-lowest remaining teams after the first round (again just like the current NHL format).

Here is a breakdown of the new divisions, directly from a press release from the AHL:

Western Conference
North Division
Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)
Hamilton Bulldogs (MTL)
Lake Erie Monsters (COL)
Rochester Americans (BUF)
Toronto Marlies (TOR)

Midwest Division
Charlotte Checkers (CAR)
Chicago Wolves (VAN)
Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)
Peoria Rivermen (STL)
Rockford IceHogs (CHI)

West Division
Abbotsford Heat (CGY)
Houston Aeros (MIN)
Oklahoma City Barons (EDM)
San Antonio Rampage (FLA)
Texas Stars (DAL)

Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Manchester Monarchs (LA)
Portland Pirates (PHX)
Providence Bruins (BOS)
St. John’s (WPG)
Worcester Sharks (SJ)

Northeast Division
Adirondack Phantoms (PHI)
Albany Devils (NJ)
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI)
Connecticut Whale (NYR)
Springfield Falcons (CBJ)

East Division
Binghamton Senators (OTT)
Hershey Bears (WSH)
Norfolk Admirals (TB)
Syracuse Crunch (ANA)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT)

So Roundtable:  Do you like the new division format?  Are you are excited for some new blood, Charlotte, to be frequenting the Bradley Center?  If you were the AHL commissioner, how would you breakdown the schedule with division, conference, and inter-conference games?

If you can’t tell by the headline, I have a lot of topics to catch up on.

1) First things first, I want to give an unqualified thumbs up to the hiring of Kirk Muller as Milwaukee’s new head coach.  Yes, its obvious that Muller is here to fill in the final piece of his resume to become an NHL coach.  If Lou Lamoriello did not just got burned by an inexperienced coach, Muller likely would have become the new bench boss of the New Jersey Devils.

I have a feeling that Muller will likely be coaching Montreal in a few seasons, whenever the shine of the Canadiens 2010 miracle playoff run wears off from Jacques Martin, and Habs fans get sick of his boring style.  I would expect Muller to be in Milwaukee for two years at maximum if he has any success.

I have no issue with that fact.  Muller’s pedigree and resume blew away any other options for a new coach in Milwaukee, and just listening to some of his comments and seeing the broad smiles on his face makes it clear to me that Muller really wanted this gig.  Muller was a longtime and well respected captain in the NHL and that should make for an excellent coach (no guarantees of course).  I was always impressed by his assistant work in Montreal.

My only qualms are that Muller lacks any AHL history and has never even been to Milwaukee.  No matter what my favorable impressions are of the Brew City, Milwaukee will be an incredible change of pace from one of the epicenters of the hockey world–Montreal.  Maybe that is a good thing.  But 3,000 fans on a week night is nothing like 21,000 screaming crazies at Bell Centre.  I love going to AHL and Admirals games, but its hard to compare minor league rinks to one of the best atmospheres for hockey in the NHL.  If Milwaukee gets off to a slow start, will Muller buckle under the weight?  He surely must know that 2 or 3 decent seasons should earn him a head gig in the NHL.

2) The great news for Muller is that if he has any issues, he can turn to Lane Lambert or Barry Trotz for guidance.  Both were successful coaches in the AHL, so they are great resources.

I for one could not be happier for Lane Lambert and his promotion to the NHL.  I thought he was an excellent AHL coach, and one that deserved an NHL head coaching position.  Moving up to be an assistant coach in the NHL should fill in the only drawback remaining on Lambert’s resume.

I would like to wish a hearty congratulations to Lambert and his family.

3) I will be brief with this point, especially since the Admirals roster will likely see plenty of changes in the coming days, but I am excited that Teemu Laakso was resigned.  Sorry to see Brett Palin go, but with the roster additions and draft moves I think room will be limited on the Milwaukee blueline.  I wasn’t terribly impressed with Nashville’s draft, but then again throw in Mike Fisher as one of the team’s picks and things start looking up.

4) Though I don’t work in Nashville’s marketing department I have no idea why the team decided to make a jersey switch.  Why mess with a good thing?  I thought Nashville had very sharp jerseys in the past and they sure looked great when they were beating Anaheim in the first round of the NHL playoffs.

5) The Preds Qualifying offer snafu could have drastic consequences for both Nashville and Milwaukee.  I would be surprised to hear that David Poile and Paul Fenton didn’t do everything by the book, but with all the coaching changes maybe something got missed.  But for an organization that has a limited budget, having to give early raises to players that weren’t scheduled for them could effect the whole organization and leave the development cupboard bare.  All signs seem to point to this blowing over as a moot point, but it is certainly something to keep an eye on.

That is it for now for me as I look forward to my annual Fourth of July summer vacation.  When I post next, hopefully I will have positive things to write about Nashville/Milwaukee’s performance in free agency.

Houston Aeros (2nd place West Division 46-28-6, 98 points) vs. Binghamton Senators (5th place East Division, 42-30-8, 92 points)

The 2011 Calder Cup Finals should produce an electric series on the ice.  Both Houston and Binghamton prefer an offensive-minded blend of hockey which should produce some high scoring contests.  Neither team is overly laced with playoff experience as both clubs missed the AHL playoffs last season and feature rookie goaltenders carrying the load in goal.  Finally, even though Houston and Binghamton did not face each other during the regular season, both teams competed in the considerably stronger division of their respective conferences.

Offensively, Binghamton should have a slight edge with a team unafraid to light up its opponent.  The Senators are stockpiled with several talented prospects capable of scoring big goals. Veteran Ryan Potulny leads all playoff scorers with 14 goals and 25 points, while his wing man Ryan Keller is not far behind (14 assists and 22 points).  However, the Senators biggest strength is their offensive depth.  2010-2011 AHL MVP Corey Locke has 10 points in as many games, while rookie sniper Bobby Butler is second on the team with 10 playoff goals.

The talented Colton Gillies leads a Houston offense that can nearly match Binghamton gun-for-gun.  Veterans Patrick O’Sullivan and Jed Ortmeyer (15 and 11 points respectively) lead the way offensively, but Colton Gilles (team leading seven playoff goals) is the Aeros’ most explosive offensive player.

Where Houston should have an advantage is defensively.  Maxim Noreau (11 points) is one of the AHL’s elite two-way defenders, while Jared Spurgeon (team leading +6 rating) and Marco Scandella represent talented cogs.

Veteran Andre Benoit is the Senators’ go-to defender with 14 playoff points to date to lead all defensemen.  Both Geoff Kinrade and Jared Cowen are talented puck-movers but Binghamton lacks Houston’s depth on the blueline.

In goal Senators feature sensational 19-year-old rookie Robin Lehner (10-2-0, 2.41 G.A.A., .932 S.P.), who has taken over the team’s starting goaltending duties since the Manchester series (where he won three straight games to help Binghamton turn around a seemingly lost matchup).  Though Lehner struggled at times in his first few playoff games, the Swede was sensational against Charlotte in the Eastern Conference finals, making 35 or more saves in his team’s final three wins while allowing just seven goals in the sweep.

If there is a weakness for Houston it is in goal.  Rookie Matt Hackett (12-6-0, 2.56 G.A.A., .898 S.P.) is two-years older than Lehner, but has shown plenty of the inconsistency common for a first-year player.  But Hackett’s biggest strength has been his play in Game 7s so far.  The London, Ontario-native has a pair of wins while allowing just five goals on 54 total shots.

The X-factor in this series might be the fact that Binghamton swept their third round series, while Houston was pushed to the brink by a Hamilton team that nearly turned around a 3-0 deficit in the Western Conference finals.  The Senators faced long series in their first two rounds and desperately needed some rest.  However, the question for Binghamton is whether Lehner lost his playoff momentum during the layoff?  After competing in two straight seven game series, the question for Houston is whether the Aeros have enough left in the tank to eliminate Binghamton?

With their superior offense which should get to Hackett and a much needed rest for Lehner after the third round, I see Binghamton finishing off an improbable run for their first ever Calder Cup championship.  Senators in six games.

So Roundtable:  Which team do you have winning the Calder Cup and in how many games?  What will be the difference in the winning teams’ success?

1) As a few of you Roundtablers have already reported, Linus Klasen has indeed taken his game back to Sweden.  Klasen has signed to play for the Malmo Redhawks, who are a member of Sweden’s No. 2 league (Not the Swedish Elite League as some other sources have reported).

Though Klasen’s game never really fit with the Nashville brand, Linus did manage 22 goals and 45 points in just 47 AHL games, which was good enough for second most on the Admirals.  Though we will never know the answer, you have to wonder that if Klasen was healthy late in the season, could he have provided an offensive boost in the games where Milwaukee only had a limited shot production? All season long Klasen was the Admirals only true home run hitter, for better or worse.

I have a feeling that Klasen is looking to refind his offensive game back in Sweden and audition for another shot in the NHL.  From my various interviews with him this season, I know that he really wants to be a full time player in hockey’s top league.

(Read my early season feature on Klasen here)

2) No doubt more defections from the Admirals will occur in the coming months, but that cannot take away from what Milwaukee accomplished in 2010-2011.  This week I wrote a feature recapping the Admirals successful campaign on milwaukeeadmirals.com.

3) So far the Eastern and Western Conference AHL finals are not going anywhere near to my predictions.  Thanks to Hamilton’s 8-1 win last night, I still have the Bulldogs alive, but just barely.  Charlotte has already checked out, getting swept by Binghamton.  I really wanted to pick the Senators, but I figured the Checkers had something special brewing after knocking off both Hershey and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.  I guess goalie Robin Lehner had other plans.  Houston has really surprised me so far, but I know Hamilton can play better.

4) The Atlanta Thrashers’ move to Winnipeg seems imminent, so much so that Manitobans were seen partying in the streets last night.  However, both the NHL and the new owners have yet to confirm the transaction.

5) Finally, I would like to express my thanks to everyone involved with the Roundtable for a great 2010-2011 season.  First to our commenteers, Admirals fans never cease to amaze me.  There was lots of intelligent hockey conversation on this blog and I loved every minute of it.  You are truly the heart of this site.  Second of all, a special thanks to Ryan Miller who put this production together and allowed me the freedom to write up just about anything I wanted to (so if there was any of my posts that you didn’t like, you can blame him).  Thanks to Sutty for writing provocative game stories and to Andy for making them sing with great audio.

Finally, thanks to Charlie Larson, Kevin Wilson and others who setup my numerous interviews this season.  Coach Lane Lambert always seem to have time for me and he always provided thoughtful and expressive commentary.  Players and coaches from the entire Nashville organization were friendly and more than willing to talk to me no matter what my request was about.  As a writer that is truly appreciated.  I especially enjoyed my first ever visit to a Predators game, which was facilitated by both the Nashville organization and the Anaheim Ducks.  What a tremendous experience!

Have a great summer everyone!

Houston Aeros (2^nd West, 46-28-6) vs. Hamilton Bulldogs (1^st North, 44-27-9)

After dusting off Peoria in four games, Houston had their hands full with West Division regular season champion Milwaukee, needing seven games to eliminate the Admirals.  The Aeros feature a solid balance on offense led Patrick O’Sullivan, a veteran of 311 NHL games who has 10 points.  He is complimented by Robbie Earl and the always dangerous Colton Gillies (team leading six goals).  Houston also features a strong blueline, led by the developing Maxim Noreau (eight points) and Jared Spurgeon.

The lone weakness for the Aeros is in goal, where the always-combustible Matt Hackett mans the net between the pipes.  Hackett carries an 8-3-0 record with an impressive 2.29 G.A.A., but his save percentage is an anemic .896.

After a roaring start to their second round series, Hamilton survived the longest Game 7 in AHL history to eliminate Manitoba in a classic matchup.  Despite Moose goaltender Eddie Lack’s best efforts, veteran Drew MacIntyre won the goaltending matchup over the rookie.  212-game NHL veteran Nigel Dawes has carried the Bulldogs offense, with a team leading nine goals and 14 points.

But Hamilton lacks much secondary offense behind him and fellow forwards Aaron Palushaj and Dustin Boyd.  The Bulldogs make up for their offensive deficiencies with a strong defense that prevents heavy shot totals against MacIntyre.

On paper this series favors the Aeros, the playoff winners of the much stronger West Division and the holders of home ice in this series.  However, Hamilton is extremely well-coached and plays a stout team game.  The Bulldogs discipline should be enough to win this series.  BULLDOGS advance in 7 games.

My quick Calder Cup finals preview:

Hamilton over Charlotte in 6 games.

Charlotte Checkers (3^rd East, 44-27-9) vs. Binghamton Senators (5^th East, 42-30-8)

If there is one team in the AHL playoffs that continues to be underestimated, it’s the Charlotte Checkers.  I’ve managed to pick against them twice, yet Carolina’s top farm team continues to impress.  The Checkers have managed to dump two of the league’s elite franchises, Hershey and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, on their way to an East Division playoff crown.

The Checkers are loaded at the center position, led by Brett Sutter (12 playoff points) and Zac Dalpe (team leading six goals, 13 points).  Rookie goaltender Mike Murphy has impressed in the playoffs, winning seven games, while carrying a 2.09 goals against average and an impeccable .934 save percentage.  The lone weakness for Charlotte is their blueline, but that could be solved if former Minnesota-Duluth star Justin Faulk continues to mature.

Though it has taken 13 games to get to this point, Binghamton is riding a wave of playoff momentum after crossing over to the Atlantic Division and eliminating both Manchester and Portland (including a rally from a 3-1 series deficit against the Monarchs).

The Senators feature most dangerous offense remaining in the Calder Cup playoffs, having scored 51 postseason goals so far (16 more than the next closest team).  Binghamton features the AHL’s leading playoff goal and point scorer in Ryan Potulny (10 goals, 19 points), the Latvian spark plug Kaspars Daugavins (nine goals, 13 points) and sniper Bobby Butler (eight goals, 10 points).  And don’t forget about reigning AHL MVP Corey Locke, who racked up 86 points during the regular season.  Like the Checkers, the Senators weakness is at defense, but Andre Benoit and Geoff Kinrade are both talented two-way puck movers.  The backbone of explosive Binghamton is rookie Robin Lehner in goal.  The 19-year-old Swedish prospect recorded seven wins and carries an effective .919 SP so far in the playoffs.  Expect him to challenge Craig Anderson for playing time in Ottawa next year.

Much like the West Division Finals, the matchup between the Checkers and Senators will pit an elite offensive club—Binghamton, versus an elite defensive team in Charlotte.  As much as I like Binghamton, I feel they have feasted on subpar teams out of the Atlantic Division.  Playing against East divisional foe Charlotte, their run will come to an end as I see the Checkers making their first ever trip to the Calder Cup finals.  CHARLOTTE in 6 games.

(Author’s note this preview was written prior to Game 1)

Despite the Game 7 loss to Houston, the Milwaukee Admirals accomplished a lot this year.  The Admirals finished first place in the West Division and Western Conference with 102 points, advanced several players up to Nashville that helped the Predators reach uncharted territory in the NHL playoffs, played in 13 playoff games and eliminated the 2010 Calder Cup finalists, the Texas Stars, in six games.

Yes, the disappointment still lingers over what could have been for the Admirals this postseason.  However, I thought I would start the recovery process for Milwaukee with a look back at some of the best moments from the 2010-2011.

Best Regular Season Game:  April 1, 2011: Milwaukee 5, Houston 2.  With just six games left in the regular season for the Admirals, Milwaukee smoked Houston a decisive battle, all but clinching first place in the West Division and Conference.  Though the Aeros competed shorthanded on the night, this game was truly a statement moment for Milwaukee.

Biggest Positive Turning Point:  November 26, 2010: Milwaukee 1 at Texas 0.  In the midst of 10-game road trip and riding a four-game losing streak, Milwaukee willed its way to 1-0 over defending Calder Cup finalist Texas thanks to a Steve Begin goal in the third period.  The win came despite playing without Linus Klasen who was a healthy scratch.

Best Playoff Game:  April 25, 2011: Milwaukee 3, Texas 2, 2OT.  Playing Game 6 at home against Texas, the Admirals and Stars played five periods of electric hockey.  Jeremy Smith made 52 saves, including 13 in the first overtime before Mark Van Guilder scored the game-winner at 10:42 of double overtime, sending the Admirals into the second round.  It was the fourth one-goal game of the series.  (Read my feature on the game here)

Season’s Signature Moment:  Oct. 9, 2010: Milwaukee 6, Abbotsford 2.  Trailing 2-0 after the first period on opening night, Milwaukee rallied for a 6-2 win in Linus Klasen’s coming out party.  Klasen put on a stunning display of offense and celebrations, contributing two goals.  Klasen would be the team’s most dangerous offensive weapon for much of the season prior to a long term injury.

Best Personnel Move:  The Acquisition of Steve Begin.  Begin struggled to provide much offense during the regular season, playing in only 36 games due to various injuries. But the veteran forward was welcome addition to a young and maturing Milwaukee offense during the playoffs.  Begin provided much needed leadership and finished fifth on the team with seven points.

Best Lineup Decision:  Pairing Roman Josi and Teemu Laakso on the blueline.  The two European-born defenders were dynamite as a tandem against Texas, and a big reason why Milwaukee advanced to the second round.  The two combined for a plus 13 rating in a series decided by a razor thin margin.

So Roundtable:  What are your best moments of the season/playoffs and what are your fondest memories?

Game 7 is not the time to make lineup changes.  No coach ever wants to risk a winner-take-all game by disrupting a roster that had developed chemistry.

There are no such worries for Milwaukee Admirals coach Lane Lambert heading into Tuesday night’s contest.  Presented with Nashville’s elimination from the playoffs on Monday night, all of sudden Lambert has three “black aces” available for insertion into his team’s lineup.  Overall, Houston has been the better team in the West Division finals, but Milwaukee’s addition of NHL playoff tested Jonathon Blum, Matt Halischuk and Blake Geoffrion, might be the tipping point to turn the series back in favor of the Admirals.

The biggest difference for Milwaukee tonight will be Blum, hands down.  Though he stagnated at times with the Admirals this season, Blum emerged as a top-four defender in the NHL during his short time with the Nashville Predators.  Blum found himself an effective role with the Predators as a transition defender who can log minutes and contribute on the power play.  After this spring, Blum will not be back in the AHL anytime soon.  If Blum is paired with a solid stay at home defender in Milwaukee, he should be electric.

Adding Matt Halischuk will give Lambert another offensive dimension for his team.  Halischuk has well-deserved reputation as a clutch goal scorer.  He can score gritty goals around the crease and provide highlight variety plays (see Preds OT-winner from Game 2 vs. Vancouver).  Houston’s biggest advantage in this series has been their offense, but the addition of Halischuk narrows that gap significantly.

The addition of Geoffrion is the hardest one to judge.  At times during his NHL promotion, Geoffrion looked like a solid NHL player, but at other times Geoffrion looked a step or two behind on the ice (much like he did during the first months of his AHL stint this season).  If Nashville coach Barry Trotz had a better option, Geoffrion likely would have sat and watched during much of the playoffs, but the Predators were decimated with center injuries, so Geoffrion got plenty of ice time.  A return to the AHL won’t likely see Geoffrion refind his offensive touch (showed in the final weeks prior his NHL promotion), but the former Hobey Baker-winner could prove useful for Lambert in a checking center role.

So for a Game 7 prediction?  I have Milwaukee defeating Houston 3-2 in overtime tonight, with Matt Halischuk scoring the game winner.

So Roundtable:  What differences do think Jon Blum, Matt Halischuk and Blake Geoffrion make for Milwaukee tonight in Game 7?  Do these three players tip the game in favor of the Admirals?  If you were Lane Lambert, is there one of the three who you would not play?

Is there one other Predator (other than the obvious choices:  Rinne, Suter and Weber) that if their contract/league rules allowed for it, would make a major difference tonight for Milwaukee?