The season only just came to a close a few days ago but there is still a fair bit of uncertainty as to what the Milwaukee Admirals will look like for the 2014-15 season. According to Cap Geek, which does have a few names missing from the ones below, the Admirals will have seven restricted free agents and nine unrestricted free agents.

RFA: Taylor Beck, Anthony Bitetto, Joonas Jarvinen, Simon Moser, Joonas Rask, Charles-Olivier Roussel, Scott Valentine

UFA: Paul Crowder, Scott Darling, Scott Ford, Mike Liambas, Joe Piskula, Bryan Rodney, Vinny Saponari, Mathieu Tousignant, Francis Wathier

With those in mind you then start thinking about some of the new faces that should enter the system in the near future. In fact, we’ve had the chance to get a good look at a few of them already: Pontus Åberg, Jonathan Diaby, Felix Girard, Brendan Leipsic, Garrett Noonan, Jaynen Rissling, and Mikko Vainonen.

It has to be said, looking top-side and from our end, boy are we ever stacked when it comes to defensemen! I would be surprised to see us go forward into next season without some sort of veteran mind in that core. Whether it would be Ford, Piskula, or both would be an interesting decision.

I also have to wonder, having watched the Toronto Marlies really out-pace him in the playoffs, if we may have actually seen the last of the Sheriff. It would be painfully sad if that would be the case but I have to imagine, turning 35-years old this December, it could be getting closer to that time when both side have to move on.

As for the Nashville Predators they will have a few RFAs/UFAs as well.

RFA: Michael Del Zotto, Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis, Nick Spaling

UFA: Patrick Eaves, Carter Hutton

Also, joy of joys, the Preds partial hold on Devan Dubnyk‘s contract will also come off of the books. I expect Nashville to gleefully let Eaves walk and I also expect the team to make a push on re-signing Hutton. As for any potential summer moves – what do you think could or should happen?

Who would you like to see stay and who would you like to see go? Will there be a youth-movement on the Admirals blueline in the 2014-14 season? Are there other prospects you feel can add to the mix next season? Should any of our late-2014 ATO players also be considered for next season?

This weekend capped off the opening round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. There were two game fives: (7) Providence Bruins vs. (2) Springfield Falcons – (7) Rochester Americans vs. (2) Chicago Wolves.

On Saturday the Bruins managed to pull off the upset of the Falcons by winning 6-3 on the road. Then the Wolves defeated the Amerks 4-2 in a series that saw neither team pick up consecutive wins. That means the second round playoff match ups will look like this:

Western Conference: (1) Texas Stars vs. (4) Grand Rapids Griffins, (2) Chicago Wolves vs. (3) Toronto Marlies.

Eastern Conference: (4) St. John’s IceCaps vs. (8) Norfolk Admirals, (6) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. (7) Providence Bruins.

I don’t know about you guys but that Eastern Conference opening round sure was lethal! Every single division winner was eliminated in the first round. The Springfield Falcons went five games against the Providence Bruins. The Manchester Monarchs, who finished the regular season one point behind the Texas Stars for the best record in the entire AHL, wear defeated by the Norfolk Admirals in four games. And the Binghamton Senators lasted four games against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins before bowing out.

As four our lovely Western Conference – two of our divisional opponents made it through to the next round: Grand Rapids and Chicago. Each of the second round games from our Conference are going to be explosive. While I most want to see a Stars (offense) vs. Marlies (defense) West Final – it is still very much open. The Griffins will give the Stars a serious run for their money and I think the Wolves can play just as strong defensively as the Marlies.

The second round goes to a best-of-seven format, as it should be for all rounds, and here are my predictions: Texas in six games. Toronto in five games. St. John’s in seven games. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in five games.

Who do you think will make it to the AHL Conference Finals? How about all those opening round upsets out of the Eastern Conference? Do you already see a Calder Cup favorite from the second round?

The Milwaukee Admirals 2013-14 season came to an end yesterday. I assume that you will all have some questions as to what comes next from our end of things here at the Roundtable and much more.

I have plans for a few “best of” material in the coming days. That will include a 2013-14 Best of Chatterbox, the 2013-14 Season in Pictures, and the Roundtable classic – Paper Plate Awards. All of that will come in the days ahead. No particular order. Just expect some end of the season goodies!

Outside of that, I still plan on providing news and coverage of the Nashville Predators, Milwaukee Admirals, and Cincinnati Cyclones when news crops up. As I mentioned yesterday – the Cyclones are still in the thick of the ECHL playoffs. It will be fun seeing how deep their run can go – and I’ll pay attention to that. Then you have the Stanley Cup playoffs on, the World Championships starting up in a week’s time, the end of the hockey season and subsequent roster moves, NHL Draft, and more!

There always seems to be something to write about. Early on during this Admirals season I dedicated myself to providing daily content up here at the Roundtable. While I don’t expect that to continue throughout the summer – I still can’t help myself! So, please expect more ramblings from me even though our season is at an end.

I’ve loved every bit of operating Admirals Roundtable this season. I wasn’t all that sure what to expect out of it when the role was offered to me. One season down and I could not be more happy with all that I have been able to experience from this website. The real highlight has been interacting with all of you brilliant fans this season. Whether it be online, or rinkside at the games, it has been so much fun being able to chat hockey with each and every one of you. The Roundtable is all about the fans, getting discussions going, and putting content up that allows us to put our “hockey nerd” caps on and banter. I hope that you have all enjoyed this season here at Admirals Roundtable. It has been a blast to provide you all with coverage of this great team.

My personal “thank you” list would be very long but…

Admirals VP of Communications Charlie Larson for always being there for me in regards to setting up interviews and various answers I needed throughout the season. Admirals play-by-play man Aaron Sims for being such a wonderful person – through and through. Ryan Miller for his guidance at the start of this season and his incredible work making the Roundtable be a thing in the first place. Admirals president Jon Greenberg and the entire front office staff – yes, even you Brian Martens. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Dave Boehler for putting up with my jokes and various doodles on his name tags on the press table. Fellow Roundtable contributor Jason Karnosky for his efforts and discussions throughout this season. The Milwaukee Admirals photographers -Scott Paulus, Sara Stathas, and Jeff Hanisch- whose work has made this website look thousands of times better thanks to their magnificence. Taylor and Taylor, aka Theresa and Geoff, for always being around the rink making me laugh. Many of the fellow media types I’ve been able to chat with throughout this season from Nashville and Cincinnati for all the fun discussions. And much much much more. Hard to find a single person around the entire organization, top to bottom, that is difficult to love. Honestly.

If you have any suggestions, comments, rambings, etc – I am always all ears! The Roundtable isn’t going anywhere. We’re open 24/7 for hockey nerds and aspiring hockey nerds. Let’s keep the dialogue running into the 2014-15 season!

The Nashville Predators didn’t make the playoffs. The Milwaukee Admirals are facing elimination in the first round of the AHL playoffs. Then you have the Cincinnati Cyclones who start the second round of the ECHL playoffs on Friday night.

In the first round the Cyclones knocked off the Orlando Solar Bears in six games. The Admirals group of Barry Almeida, Taylor Aronson, Zach Budish, and Josh Shalla combined for 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists). In fact, outside of Mr. Shalla, all had plus ratings from the opening round series: a combined +7 plus/minus.

One thing to take stock of, for Predators and Admirals fans alike, is that Magnus Hellberg is sitting on the bench for this ECHL playoff run. The man in net for the Cyclones has been Rob Madore who played all games so far in the playoffs, won four, has a brilliant 1.82 goals against average, and a 0.938 save percentage. They are going with the hot hand and it is paying off. Yet another downer on the 2013-14 season for Hellberg.

For the Cyclones second round match-up they’ll be playing against the Fort Wayne Komets who ousted the Reading Royals in five games. The Royals finished the regular season with the best record in the Eastern Conference and second best record in the entire ECHL. That makes the chances for the Cyclones to this year’s Kelly Cup all the more possible.

Do you feel our friends in Cincinnati have a shot at winning the Kelly Cup this year? What do you feel about Magnus Hellberg going forward? Was this year for Hellberg a wash?

I was asked to provide a quote for our friend Thomas Willis at Predlines last night in regards to “NHL Readiness” for Calle Jarnkrok and Filip Forsberg. You can read his story right here.

That topic does interest me. Not so much for guys such as Jarnkrok or Forsberg. I think we can all pretty much agree with them being NHL ready. I also think that Colton Sissons, Taylor Beck, Simon Moser, and Mark Van Guilder are players who could all play well at the NHL level were the spots open for them to perform.

Then you have the others guys. That of course meaning everyone else on the Milwaukee Admirals roster. Some I could see being bracketed in the NHL range. Some of the more recent additions I wonder if you would even consider them AHL ready. Here are who I want you all to consider.

Are these players NHL ready?

Miikka Salomaki, Austin Watson, Joonas Jarvinen, Marek Mazanec, Magnus Hellberg, or Scott Darling.

Are these players AHL ready?

Joe Pendenza, Braden Pimm, Jonathan Diaby, Jaynen Rissling, Mikko Vainonen, and Garrett Noonan.

A few of those players on the bottom list you may have had the chance to see play this season. Others you have have missed out on. All the more reason to question if those would be names you want to see in Milwaukee next season, right?

Discuss amongst yourselves. I would be really interested in hearing your thoughts on this. I also wonder what you make of certain players ceiling in regards to – can some even crack an NHL lineup or if time is passing by for them to maintain an NHL role.

The Milwaukee Admirals currently trail the Toronto Marlies 2-0 in the opening round best of five playoff match-up. A staggering figure in the series comes in the scorelines: 6-2 and 5-2. In each game the Admirals threw 30 shots on goal and were struggling to get high quality scoring chances.

Entering this series the strong point for the Admirals was their depth at the forward spot. They could roll-out all four lines feeling confident that they will have skilled two-way hockey shift after shift. After two games, the Marlies have out-muscled those lines and made life easy for former-Admiral netminder Drew MacIntyre.

In the regular season the Admirals didn’t face MacIntyre. There wasn’t a real feel for how he played against the Admirals or, more importantly, how the team rallied around him in net. During the regular season he won 29 games, had a 2.53 goals against average, a 0.917 save percentage, and one shutout.

I’m sure the question has been brought up. I’m sure the film has been dissected. How do you break down the Marlies defense and get pucks past MacIntyre? Other teams have this season. Let’s take a look.

(Date – Video Highlights // Score – Gamesheet)

Nov. 23, 2013 @ Texas: L, 5-3
Dec. 27. 2013 @Hamilton: L, 4-2
Jan. 3, 2014 vs. Syracuse: L, 6-3
Jan. 11, 2014 @ St. John’s: L, 5-4 (SO)
Jan. 30, 2014 @ Oklahoma City: L, 5-3
Feb. 1, 2014 @Texas: L, 6-0
Feb. 9, 2014 vs. Hamilton: L, 4-3
March 1, 2014 vs. Hamilton: L, 5-2
Mar. 30, 2014 vs. Abbotsford: W, 6-4
Apr. 16, 2014 @ Binghamton: W, 5-4

If I had any sort of “book” from these games it is this. (1) MacIntyre is always positioning himself to be low to the ice and compact (2) teams make the adjustment and aim high to the shoulders of MacIntyre (3) opponents utilize the slot area off the puck to create traffic for deflections or screens (4) speed cutting in or across the slot can cause MacIntyre to lose his angle and leave space against the grain.

All of those bullet points have been nearly impossible for the Admirals forwards to create because the Marlies have boxed out the shot and forced them to play the walls and far points. As I said above – they are getting completely out-muscled – and the are expecially getting beaten up when it comes to earning the dirty area in front of the net. The Marlies defensive structure, right in and around MacIntyre’s cage, has been next to unbreakable in this playoff series.

For the Admirals to head up to Toronto and pull off a little playoff magic they’re going to have to earn the areas around the net. They need to get MacIntyre’s vision disrupted so he goes to his “safe mode” and hits a low and square stance in net. The net can be opened up and the Admirals can get those quality scoring chances if they out-battle Toronto in front of the net. It’s where this series has been lost so far – but it is also where it can be changed on its head should the Admirals flip the script in the dirty areas.

How do you think the Admirals offense has looked in this series? In your opinion – what needs to be done to get the offense back in gear? Is it possible for them to rally on the road in Toronto?

Former Milwaukee Admiral and captain of the Nashville Predators Shea Weber has been announced as a finalist for this season’s Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman. Other finalists include Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins and Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks.

For anyone who has had the opportunity to watch a few Predators games this season – you’ll know full well just how brilliant Weber has been this season. With no Pekka Rinne, an offense that was hit and miss, and a very youthful defensive core around him – the Preds captain has been consistently the top player on the team from start to finish.

Weber played in 79 games, scored 56 points (23 goals, 33 assists), had a plus/minus rating of -2, and 52 penalty minutes. The scoring output is a career best for him. It is a new career high in assists and the goal total matches his previous best from the 2008-09 season.

Do you think that Shea Weber will take home this year’s Norris? Will the fact that his team isn’t in the playoffs lessen his case? 

This weekend’s defeats have left all of us in a bummer mood. You know what else is a bummer? Mondays. So, let’s unplug a little bit and have some fun by going over some of the best (and hilarious) from hockey in the 2013-14 season.

Continue reading “Mandatory Monday Funday” →

This wasn’t exactly the fast start we were all hoping out of the Milwaukee Admirals. Round One. Game One. Starting on home ice. Yet it was the Toronto Marlies who really dictated most of the action last night. They seemed more patient and controlled – even when playing with pace.

The good news for all Admirals involved is that tomorrow is another day. Round One. Game Two. It will be the difference between this becoming a best of three series or a do-or-die situation for the Admirals from Game Three onward.

After the game I spoke with Dean Evason, Francis Wathier, and Anthony Bitetto. Here is what they had to say following the 6-2 defeat in the opening playoff contest with the Toronto Marlies.

Dean Evason talks about the quick response goal by Toronto:

Evason on what adjustments need to be made for tomorrow:

Evason discusses composure and taking uncharacteristic penalties:

Evason breaks down the opening goal scored by Toronto:

Evason’s thoughts on how Toronto stifled the Admirals offense:

Evason on Marek Mazanec’s performance in net:

Francis Wathier’s thoughts from tonight’s game:

Wathier discusses what Toronto’s defense was doing to the Admirals offense:

Wathier on the benefit of a quick turn-around playing tomorrow night:

Anthony Bitetto’s thoughts of the game:

Bitetto on rebounding tomorrow night:

Bitetto talks about the Marlies winning puck battles tonight:

Comments from the comments? What went wrong in the Admirals opening playoff game? Also, what went right? Are there positives to take out of tonight’s defeat into the rest of this series?

Toronto Marlies (3-Seed, 45-25-2-4, 96 points, 223 goals for, 202 goals against). vs. Milwaukee Admirals (6-Seed, 39-24-6-7, 91 points, 215 goals for, 199 goals against).

Prior Games:

Milwaukee leads 2-0. 3-2 at MKE on Jan. 21; 5-1 at TOR on March 22.

Schedule:

Game 1: Friday, April 25: Milwaukee vs. Toronto, 7:00PM; Game 2: Saturday, April 26: Milwaukee vs. Toronto, 7:00PM; Game 3: Thursday, May 1: Milwaukee at Toronto, 6:00PM; Game 4*: Saturday, May 3: Milwaukee at Toronto, 2:00PM; Game 5*: Sunday, May 4: Milwaukee at Toronto, 3:00PM. *If necessary.

Here is how I see the Milwaukee/Toronto matchup breaking down:

Offense:

Pick your poison, would you prefer the high-end scoring talent of Toronto or the four-line offense of Milwaukee? Spencer Abbott leads Marlies forwards with 69 points (17 goals, 52 assists). He has plenty of company in scoring threats Greg McKegg‘s 47 points (19 goals, 28 assists), Josh Leivo‘s 42 points (23 goals, 19 assists), and Jerry D’Amigo‘s 33 points (20 goals, 13 assists). However, Toronto’s biggest threat is defenseman T.J. Brennan, the reigning Eddie Shore Award winner, who led the team with 72 points (25 goals, 47 assists) – good for third best in the AHL. The Admirals are slightly less potent with Colton Sissons‘ 44 points (25 goals, 19 assists), Taylor Beck‘s 49 points (team-leading 32 assists) Austin Watson‘s 46 points (22 goals, 24 points), Calle Jarnkrok‘s 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists), and Miikka Salomaki, who has a team-leading 50 points (20 goals, 30 assists). These are all solid scoring options on a team without much difference top to bottom on its four lines. Advantage Toronto.

Defense:

Toronto’s blueline might be littered with bigger names, notably Brennan and Korbinian Holzer (23 points, +5), and high-end prospects Kevin Marshall and Stuart Percy, but Milwaukee’s anchor is always its defense, which I see as deeper than the Marlies. Veterans Scott Ford and Joe Piskula (+20 rating) are staples on one of the league’s best corps., even if Admirals like Anthony Bitetto (36 points), Bryan Rodney (34 points) and Joonas Jarvinen are a bit more unknown throughout the league. Advantage Milwaukee.

Goaltending:

The most obvious toss up matchup in this series is goaltending. I expect veteran Drew MacIntyre (29-15-3, 2.53 GAA, .917 SP) to get the call to anchor Toronto (29-15-3, 2.53 GAA, .917 SP) versus Milwaukee rookie Marek Mazanec (18-10-3, 2.44 GAA, .914 SP) and potentially Scott Darling (13-6-2, 2.00 GAA, .933 SP). MacIntyre has been one of the league’s best for a long time, and has six games of NHL experience with Vancouver, Buffalo and Toronto. Mazanec actually has 25 games of NHL experience to his credit, plus a Czech League title last season with Plzen, winning Game 7 of the Finals in overtime. Added Bonus:  The 22-year-old Czech netminder is red hot as of late. Even.

Special Teams:

Toronto has the AHL’s ninth-best power play, clicking at a 19.9% clip this season (71 goals on 356 attempts). On the road the Marlies score at an even better 20.7%. Milwaukee executes at 17.5%, 14th best in the AHL (60 goals on 343 attempts). The Admirals have an abysmal road power play, scoring just 12.5% of the time, versus their sixth-best power play at home (22.3%). Led by Mark Van Guider, Milwaukee has an excellent penalty kill, seventh-best in the AHL and successful 83.8% of the time (52 goals against in 321 attempts). At home the Admirals improve to 86.2%. Toronto carries the AHL’s 11th-best penalty kill at 83.2% (64 goals against in 380 attempts), and like Milwaukee is far better at home (86.2%). The Marlies have slightly better special teams overall, but take many more penalties than Milwaukee. Even.

Coaching:

As far as a professional record, Admirals bench boss Dean Evason has a huge advantage over Marlies coach Steve Spott. Evason spent seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals before taking over the head coaching position with Milwaukee, where he guided the team to an average of 40 wins per season and a 2013 first-round playoff loss last year at the hands of Texas. Spott came to Toronto, via the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL, where he had plenty of success. Last fall Spott was the surprising choice to replace the highly coveted Dallas Eakins who moved on to the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers. Advantage Milwaukee.

Intangibles:

When I look at intangibles in this series, I see Toronto’s three-pack of Division titles, home-ice advantage and a fan base that should show up in droves considering the same-town Maple Leafs did not make the playoffs. Meanwhile, Milwaukee is hungry, coming off of two straight early postseason exits, which lasted just seven games in total. However, this is an extremely deep Admirals club that can roll four lines and six defensemen without any significant talent drop off. Advantage Toronto.

Playoff Experience:

Though Toronto’s roster features only a few skaters left from the 2012 squad that advanced to the Calder Cup Finals, players like D’Amigo and Holzer know how to win in the playoffs. Last year the young Marlies swept Rochester before falling to eventual champion Grand Rapids in six games. However, MacIntyre was shelled in that series. Meanwhile, Milwaukee is three seasons removed from its last series victory, a six-gamer against Texas that saw both MVG and Ford play key roles. The Admirals’ margin in the four-game loss last spring to the Stars was razor thin. Advantage Toronto.

Final Verdict:

Much like last year against Texas, I expect this to be an extremely tight series. Despite the fact that Milwaukee swept the two game series this year, these two teams are highly comparable on paper. Toronto might have a little more flash, but Milwaukee is deeper and tough enough to handle the Marlies’ physical play advantage. In a series that could go either way, I predict Milwaukee to win in five games.

For more on the series visit MilwaukeeAdmirals.com to read my feature highlighting the series.

Other First Round Thoughts:

East:  Manchester 3-0 over Norfolk; Providence 3-2 over Springfield; W-B/Scranton 3-2 over Binghamton; St. John’s 3-1 over Albany.

West:  Oklahoma City 3-2 over Texas; Chicago 3-2 over Rochester; Grand Rapids 3-2 over Abbotsford.

So Roundtable . . . How do you see this series shaking out? Any predictions? Ideas for shutting down Brennan?