Firstly, I would like to thank Jason Karnosky for his work keeping the Roundtable rolling as I ventured out to California on vacation the past two weeks. I had a blast out there. And I also managed to keep an eye out during the NHL Draft and Free Agent Frenzy days whilst out there thanks to the likes of Jason and our friends of the Nashville media on Twitter. Cheers for all of you guys keeping me in tune even whilst in R&R mode!

~Nashville’s 2014 NHL Draft Selections~

Despite some speculation coming into the NHL Draft over whether or not Nashville would move from the eleventh overall selection – things appeared to go right to plan the way the Predators’ draft unfolded. In fact, SB Nation gave their Draft grade an A+ for the selections and acquisition of James Neal. While the Neal trade is a discussion all its own – let’s keep the Draft focus where it belongs with the newly selected prospects of the Nashville Predators.

Kevin Fiala (LW/RW), 1st Round (11th Overall)
Vladislav Kamenev (C/LW), 2nd Round (42nd Overall)
Jack Dougherty (D), 2nd Round (51st Overall)
Justin Kirkland (LW/RW), 3rd Round (62nd Overall)
Viktor Arvidsson (LW/RW), 4th Round (112th Overall)
Joonas Lyytinen (D), 5th Round (132nd Overall)
Aaron Irving (D), 6th Round (162nd Overall)

I know exactly what you are thinking. How exciting is it to get a Finnish player named Joonas back into the system? Right? Only me? I digress. Anywho, the thing to really look at with this 2014 Draft Class for the Predators is that four of the first five selections were forwards. I think it provides some insight into the future of a Peter Laviolette led team when you consider what he is stepping into.

Last year’s NHL Draft really didn’t provide much in the way of an impact forward. The 2012 Draft prior to that – we’ll see in-person plenty of what that class has to offer when Pontus Aberg and Brendan Leipsic hit Milwaukee later this year. Max Gortz, of the same draft class, is expected to play with Frolunda of the SHL for the 2014-15 season. Yet, of the past two-years in the Draft, only Colton Sissons has made an NHL impact of some sort for the Predators and I feel that goes into the decision making behind drafting forwards early and often in the recent NHL Draft for the Predators.

What will be worth looking into for the new Draft Class is its age. Only two of the seven newly drafted players were born prior to 1996. The oldest of the class is the Swedish winger Arvidsson who is 21-years old. The next oldest player: Finnish defenseman Lyytinen at 19-years old. The rest are 18-years old or younger. When you think about this Draft Class and any potential ETA to the NHL – you may want to wait a tick.

The top two of the class, Fiala and Kamenev, are both European products who look set for another tenure of hockey overseas. Fiala split last season between the professional and Junior-20 teams of the SHL’s HV71. Kamenev played last season with the KHL team that drafted him in 2013, Metallurg Magnitogorsk. In addition to getting drafted in the KHL and NHL – it is worth noting that Kamenev was also selected second-overall by the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL in the 2013 CHL Import Draft.

I strongly expect both to put in more time outside of the system prior to making their professional North American debuts. We’ve seen a perfect example of the Predators developing players this way over the years with Aberg, Gortz, as well as Miikka Salomaki and Joonas Rask. It’s all a matter of the rate of development as to when we see the likes of Fiala or Kamenev make the leap in my eyes. It could be one-season. It could be two-seasons. The fact that the Predators are starting to stock up on young forward talent though is what makes me the most excited about the entire draft process this season.

~The Real Deal James Neal~

Those that know me understand that I am a Pittsburgh Penguins fan. So it came to my shock to see my two favorite teams pull off a massive trade on draft day. James Neal has been a revelation playing alongside Evgeni Malkin since the Penguins first acquired him from the Dallas Stars (in a trade that also saw them gain Matt Niskanen for Alex Goligoski… geez did Dallas get hosed). Neal has produced 20-or-more goals in every single season of his NHL playing career. In 2011-12 he scored 81 points (40 goals, 41 assists) in 80 games. Since, he has cooled off somewhat but cooling off while scoring 20+ goals a season still sounds mouthwatering when you think about the Predators offense over the last few years.

The top goal scorers for the Predators: 2013-14, Craig Smith – 24 goals… 2012-13, David Legwand – 12 goals… 2011-12, Patric Hornqvist – 27 goals… 2010-11, Sergei Kostitsyn – 23 goals… 2009-10, Patric Hornqvist – 30 goals… 2008-09, Jason Arnott – 33 goals… 2007-08, J.P. Dumont – 29 goals…

It has been tough sledding in the offensive department. It really always has been. Enter the Laviolette era and the hopes to combine the great defensive core of the Predators with some offense. Neal, whether you wag the finger at Malkin or not, provides the Predators with goal scoring numbers and ability that they have lacked for years.

The real question you may end up asking is: was it worth losing the skill of Hornqvist and all-around ability of Nick Spaling to gain Neal’s services? In my book, as a fan of both teams involved in this specific trade, absolutely. Neal will give Nashville its proven goal scorer. Hornqvist and Spaling finally give Pittsburgh depth on the wing.

~Free Agency~

The talks of Predators GM David Poile going into free agency were that of signing a top-line center. All of those on came and went. What he ended up getting is Mr. Waffles himself, Olli Jokinen. Perhaps not what you would have hoped for with someone like Paul Stastny on the market but I feel it adds a proven, durable, and experienced player into the Predators system that should really fit well. Also, if someone can inform him of the nearest McDonald’s it may come in handy. Read more on the Jokinen signing via the Roundtable’s post on July 2.

It would seem the next approach for Poile and the Preds would be to look elsewhere for a center via trade. The name that has been floating around quite often has been Vincent Lecavalier. His contract is ridiculous and, at 34-years of age and counting, I question whether his best days are well behind him. Other options could include free agent Derek Roy or possibly trading for Joe Thornton.

Looking at next year’s free agent class also can provide small hints of who is a possible trade asset that may be available if a deal is right: David Krejci, Carl Soderberg, and Vladimir Sobotka. It isn’t the greatest market right now. Combine that with the crazy spending that went down during day-one of free agency and it leaves lots of questions for Poile as to getting the pieces needed for a playoff contending team with so many strong Western Conference teams getting stronger this off-season. Sit and wait mode might not be the worst place to be from Nashville’s perspective.

~Admiral Free Agent Updater~

It has been awhile since we’ve taken a look into who went where out of Milwaukee Admirals camp. Here is the update on the latest:

Taylor Beck – RFA
Anthony Bitetto – RFA
Paul Crowder – UFA
Scott Darling – Rockford IceHogs – (1-Year; NHL Two-Way Contract)
Scott Ford – UFA
Joonas Jarvinen – Sochinskiye Leopardy – (Full Details Unknown; KHL)
Mike Liambas – Milwaukee Admirals – (1-Year; AHL Contract)
Simon Moser – RFA
Joe Pendenza – Milwaukee Admirals – (1-Year; AHL Contract)
Braden Pimm – UFA
Joe Piskula – Nashville Predators – (1-Year; NHL Two-Way Contract)
Joonas Rask – HIFK – (1-Year Contract; Finland)
Bryan Rodney – UFA
Charles-Olivier Roussel – UFA
Vinny Saponari – UFA
Mathieu Tousignant – Adirondack Flames (1-Year; AHL contract)
Scott Valentine – RFA
Francis Wathier – UFA

What are you thoughts on the NHL Draft, James Neal trade, and free agency? Has David Poile done the right thing by not over-spending in free agency? What trades could be in the cards for the Predators and what players should be considered off-limits for the team?

The first phase of the NHL offseason is already in the books with the NHL entry draft come and gone. The Nashville Predators were one of the league’s most active teams, selecting four players in the first 62 picks, and seven altogether in the first 162 (no pick in the 7th round). Off the draft floor Predators General Manager David Poile was very active as well, trading to key roster components, forwards Partic Hornqvist and Nick Spaling to Pittsburgh in exchange for sniper James Neal. It was the trade that came after the trade that didn’t involving Ottawa.

~Predators Select Kevin Fiala in the first round; four players in the first 62 picks~

Here is the Predators full draft card, via predators.NHL.com:

Nashville’s first selection was Kevin Fiala, a skilled smaller forward with game-breaking potential, who hails from Switzerland, is a citizen of both there and Czech Republic and just finished the season playing for HV71 Jonkoping of the Swedish Elite League.

Nice to be drafted by Nashville.

— Kevin Fiala (@KevinFiala22) June 28, 2014

The Predators second selection was another forward, Orsk, Russia native Vladislav Kamenev most recently of Magnitogorsk Metallurg. Curious if Poile/assistant G.M. Paul Fenton got a tip on the talented forward with good size from Metallurg coach Mike Keenan, who just won a KHL title.

More importantly for Milwaukee were the selections of Jack Dougherty and Justin Kirkland, 51st and 62nd overall. Though I can’t honestly attest to knowing if Fiala or Kamenev will make an appearance in Milwaukee prior to stepping out in Nashville, both Dougherty and Kirkland will likely be wearing an Admirals jersey in the not so distant future.

If Jack Dougherty’s name sounds familiar, it should. He’s part of the incoming freshman class at the University of Wisconsin. Once again Poile and Fenton and returning to the Badgers well with the Cottage Grove, Minnesota native that has brought them such prospects as Ryan Suter, Blake Geoffrion and Craig Smith among others. The slew of recent Wisconsin defenseman developed by coach Mike Eaves now playing around the NHL bodes well for Dougherty’s future.

Dougherty seemed pretty excited in Philadelphia:

What a great organization to be a part of and a great city to play in! Excited to have a future opportunity to be a Pred! @PredsNHL

— Jack Dougherty (@jackdougherty2) June 28, 2014

Kirkland is currently cutting his teeth in the WHL with the Kelowna Rockets, where forward scored 17 goals and 48 points in his first full season, before adding another 10 in 14 playoff games.

What a surreal day for me and my family! Thanks to everyone for the kind words! So proud to be a part of the @PredsNHL #Smashville

— Justin Kirkland (@Kirkland96) June 28, 2014

A former teammate and current Predator/Admiral Colton Sissons was pretty excited for the pick of Kirkland:

Shout out to my fellow @Kelowna_Rockets for getting picked up by the Preds today, congrats @Kirkland96 !!

— Colton Sissons (@colton_es15) June 28, 2014

~The James Neal Trade~

During the NHL draft, only a few trades went down with many more expected to happen that did not take place. The biggest transaction involved Nashville as the Predators traded a pair of franchise-developed products, Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling to Pittsburgh in exchange for James Neal. In Neal the Predators add a former 40-goal scorer with a bit of a checkered past. Here’s an interesting tidbit from Neal via Twitter back on May 23:

All of these rumors couldn’t be further from the truth. I love being a Pittsburgh Penguin. I hope to remain a Penguin and win as a Penguin.

— James Neal (@jneal_18) May 23, 2014

The exchange sends two big-time character forwards to a Penguins team in desperate need of them. For the record, Hornqvist dressed in 49 regular season and 11 playoff contests with Milwaukee back in 2008-2009, contributing 21 goals and 22 assists. Meanwhile, Spaling dressed in 52 regular season games with Milwaukee over the course of two seasons (2009-2011), chipping in eight goals and 11 assists.

 ~The Jason Spezza Trade that Wasn’t~

In many circles, Poile is being lauded for acquiring Neal, but the pieces were in place the same day for an even bigger fish in center Jason Spezza, according to ESPN.com/TSN reporter Pierre LeBrun:

Preds GM David Poile confirms he had serious interest in dealing for Spezza but was told by Spezza camp he wouldn’t go to Nashville — Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) June 28, 2014

The rumored trade involved potentially Nashville’s first-round selection in 2014, plus Hornqvist/Spaling. It was quite a risk/bounty for a player in Spezza who can sign anywhere as a free agent after the 2014-2015 season. The Ottawa forward has asked for a trade out of Canada’s capital, but much like former Badger Dany Heatley owns a no-trade claus in his contract preventing a trade to 10 teams of his choosing. The Predators and nine others were on that list.

How a player has the gall to ask for a trade, then would not accept one to organization as soundly built from top to bottom as Nashville is beyond me, especially with Spezza’s trade demand reasoning being that he wanted to get out of the spotlight of being the focal point of negative press in Ottawa. It’s not like it had to be a long-term thing. In Neal, I think Nashville got a better fit anyway, plus a better contract and didn’t have to give up their first-round pick in the process. Sometimes the best trades are the ones that don’t happen.

~Nashville’s Lower Round Draft Selections~

With its final three picks, Nashille added another smaller creative Swedish forward in 21-year-old Viktor Arvidsson, currently playing for Skellefteå of the Swedish Elite League with its fourth-round selection. Two blue liners, Espoo, Finland native Joonas Lyytinen and Edmonton, Alberta native Aaron Irving rounded out the Predators 2014 draft class.

~Free Agent Frenzy~

Tomorrow marks the first day of open-season on NHL/AHL free agents to be as 2013-2014 contracts officially expire.

Nashville’s list of UFAs via CapGeek.com is unbelievably short, involving just forward Patrick Eaves, and Milwaukee’s Bryan Rodney and Joe Piskula. Charles Olivier-Roussel was just added to this list as he was not qualified today. The RFAs for Nashville are three defenseman Michael Del Zotto (still not qualified), Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm. Milwaukee: Anthony Bitetto, Taylor Beck, Scott Valentine and Simon Moser. Both Joonas Jarvinen and Joonas Rask have already signed overseas.

I will have a live blog up here at Admirals Roundtable throughout the day marking the significant signings and extended details of any Predator/Admirals signings. Stay tuned:

Don’t miss the @adsroundtable Day One of the NHL Free Agent Frenzy Live Blog tomorrow on: http://t.co/vTCe2woYNc

— Jason Karnosky (@JKAdsHky) June 30, 2014

With the 2013-2014 season finally reaching its conclusion, the NHL quickly moves into its busiest two weeks of the offseason with the 2014 NHL entry draft and open season for free agents upcoming. Meanwhile, a couple of other significant moments have occurred in the last few days, including the release of the 2014-2015 schedule, Nashville releasing it’s preseason schedule, the 2014 Hall of Fame Class being announced and the first major trade of what could be a summer full of them.

~NHL releases it’s 2014-2015 schedule~

The National Hockey League has released its 2014-2015 regular season schedule. Here are few Predator key dates to look forward to:

Oct. 9: Preds vs. Senators. Nashville opens the season against Ottawa on home ice. (NHL’s opener is a day earlier, with Montreal and Toronto breaking the ice with the first of four games).

Nov. 25: Preds vs. Kings. Nashville’s first matchup with defending champion Los Angeles.

Dec. 27: Preds vs. Flyers. Nashville’s new coach Peter Laviolette faces his old Philadelphia squad, minus one hairy stalwart (more on this later), for the first time.

Jan. 16: Preds vs. Capitals. Nashville welcomes former coach Barry Trotz back to the Music City for his first game as an opposing coach.

For Nashville’s full schedule, click here. For  the entire NHL schedule, click here.

~2014 Hall of Fame Class Announced~

The Nashville Predators finally have a former player in the Hall of Fame. Peter Forsberg joins the hockey immortals after terrific, but injury shortened career. For the record, the man who has his own postage stamp back home in Sweden, played in just 22 games for Nashville, accounting for two goals and 15 points in 17 regular season games, and two goals and four points in a five-game series loss to San Jose. Forsberg was acquired at the trade deadline for former Admiral Scottie Upshall, 2005 Predators first-round draft pick defenseman Ryan Parent (who played 10 playoff games with Milwaukee in the spring of 2006) and a pair of draft picks (2007 first and third rounders). Though Nashville got a future Hall of Famer as a rental, Philadelphia acquired what amounted to three first round picks in the deal, making this one of David Poile’s most questioned trades.

Forsberg joins fellow first-time player inductees Dominik Hasek and Mike Modano in the 2014 Hockey Hall of Fame Class. Defenseman Rob Blake was the fourth and final selection. Also going into the Hall of Fame via the builders category were long overdue, three-time Jack Adams Award winning coach Pat Burns and referee Bill McCreary.

~2014 Predators Preseason Schedule~

Shortly before the release of the entire 2014-2015 schedule, Nashville released its 2014 preseason schedule. Several future Milwaukee Admirals will be in action in a Predators’ jersey during the six-game slate which includes four home games, and two contests each with Eastern Conference foes Tampa Bay, Florida and Columbus.

~Scott Hartnell traded for R.J. Umberger~

Count me as shocked when I heard the news that former Nashville Predator Scott Hartnell was traded on Monday for Columbus forward R.J. Umberger, plus a 2015 fourth-round pick. The two-time 30 goal scorer is now the third Flyer in recent years that signed a long-term extension with the club, only to get traded shortly after (Mike Richards and Jeff Carter being the others). Hartnell, who waived his no-trade clause to make the deal happen, was swapped for a player who had requested a trade away from the Blue Jackets.

First order of Roundtable business: I will be taking a vacation for two weeks to California starting this Wednesday. Hopefully the news remains slow for the time being but, if there is breaking news, I won’t be getting to it with the speed that I have throughout the season.

I’ll be operating the Roundtable Twitter throughout my trip. I’ll retweet any news that I can’t get to instantly. And that should be your quickest access to any breaking Nashville Predators organizational news that takes place these next two weeks. My laptop is coming with on the trip -but- I’ll be in vacation mode as I explore the West Coast for the first time. Again, should news happen – Twitter will be a good source for the instant news – and either myself or Jason Karnosky will bring you the updates when we can get to them here on the website.

~2014 Stanley Cup Finals~

The reason I didn’t get to posting about the finale to the NHL season ASAP was that I really wanted it to sink in. For those who missed out on it, gave up when your team lost out, or quit on the game running into the late night hours – watch the game highlights:

It was a phenomenal game. As someone who isn’t too huge on either of the two teams playing –  I was hooked in. The series may have ended 4-1 to the Los Angeles Kings, who have now won two Stanley Cups in three seasons, but the New York Rangers were in every game. It could have just as easily been a series that went seven-games. And it might be a shame that it actually didn’t.

In the end, I feel the Kings consistency of effort overwhelmed the Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist could well have won the Conn Smythe representing the losing team in the Stanley Cup Finals. He played that good. Other than him though? The Rangers were lacking not only players that stepped up but line combinations. It’s something the Kings were able to get and even adjust on a regular basis in the series. And it finally won out for them.

~2014 Calder Cup Finals~

This year’s Calder Cup Finals is current standing at a 2-1 advantage for the Texas Stars over the St. John’s IceCaps. Game 1: Stars, 6-3. Game, 2: IceCaps, 2-1. Game 3, 2-1 (OT). Game 4: tonight in St. John’s. Game 5: tomorrow in St. John’s (if necessary).

I’m expecting the IceCaps to pick up one more victory on home ice that will force this series back to Texas for Game 6 (with a possibility of Game 7 also in Texas). Should the series be decided in seven-games – we’ll know our AHL Calder Cup Champions, at the latest, on Monday night. Me? I expect Chris Mueller and Kevin Henderson to party with the Texas fans, at home, Thursday night.

~Cincinnati Cyclones UPDATE~

It was announced this morning that the Nashville Predators have agreed to extend their ECHL partnership with the Cincinnati Cyclones for the 2014-15 season. I’ve yet to see a direct terms of if the deal carries over for longer than just this coming season. That said, the two-sides have worked together since the 2007-08 season and is a partnership that really works well here in Milwaukee. Plus it means more Nick Brunker for people like me! Everybody wins!

You can read the full press release by the Nashville Predators regarding the Cyclones right here.

~The Important Dates Ahead on the NHL Calendar~

With the Stanley Cup now over there are a few dates you should mark off on your calendar as it relates to the NHL off-season:

June 25: NHL Awards.
June 25-July 1: UFA’s can meet and interview with potential new teams but are not able to sign offers.
June 27-28: NHL Draft.
June 30: Deadline for tendering qualifying offers to RFA’s.
July 1: Free Agent Window Opens.
July 6-13: Nashville Predators Rookie Development Camp.
July 12: My Birthday.
September 13-16: Nashville Predators Rookie Training Camp.
September 18: Nashville Predators Training Camp.
October 10: Milwaukee Admirals 2014-15 Home Opener.

There is so much that can and will happen between now and when the puck drops here in Milwaukee. A new head coach in Nashville means a new era for the organization. I can’t wait to see what it means in terms of players coming in, going, being traded, or being drafted. Plenty of variables waiting to be played out. The sooner we get to the NHL Draft the better.

Playoff Hockey is in full bore right now: Stanley Cup, Calder Cup, and Kelly Cup. We’ll get into each of those in a moment but first – Admirals bantering!

~Scott Darling and the Goaltending Situation~

When Carter Hutton re-signed with the Nashville Predators it sealed the NHL spots at the goaltending position. So, where does that leave Milwaukee? If you look back to the very start of last season – they’re right about there.

What some have asked me about is the following. Where does that leave Scott Darling? You have some guy named Pekka Rinne up top. Hutton re-signed for two-years. And then Magnus Hellberg and Marek Mazanec are still under contract. Where does Darling factor in? The cold hard truth is he probably doesn’t.

Darling signed to be the Admirals man in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones last season. Through the injury circus in the system between the pipes he climbed the ladder, was given an extended opportunity at the AHL level, and thrived: 26 games, 13 wins, 6 shutouts, 2.00 goals against average, and a 0.933 save percentage.

Is that enough to earn a new AHL contract? Yes. Is the position available for him in Milwaukee next season? No. Will others around the AHL take notice of his efforts and be willing to offer him a contract to get his services? Yes, and that is why Darling would be best served waiting for that deal to come to him.

I know that Nashville and Milwaukee were really pleased by his work -but- the only way they keep him around for next season is if they placed Hellberg in the ECHL for the season. Is that something you would be willing to do? To me, I don’t think that would make much sense in terms of player development.

Devil’s Advocate: Hutton locks up the top for two-seasons, sign Darling to a one-year AHL deal, let Hellberg gather himself back up at the ECHL level for a season, and see how it plays out over the course of the 2014-15 season. …it could happen – but should it?

~Stanley Cup~

I was not expecting much from a Los Angeles Kings // New York Rangers Stanley Cup. Boy, was I wrong. The Kings are currently up 2-0 in the series after successive overtime victories in LA. Each game so far has been incredibly entertaining. Watching these two try to solve the likes of Jonathan Quick or Henrik Lundqvist has been a blast. The series now shifts to New York for the next two-games: tonight and Wednesday. Here is hoping the Rangers make a series of this on home ice.

~Calder Cup~

The opening game of the 2014 Calder Cup Finals was last night and the Texas Stars won 6-3 over the St. John’s IceCaps. In the former-Admiral department, Chris Mueller scored 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) and was a +4 in the contest – and Kevin Henderson made his presence known by taking a tripping penalty (not as exciting but it happened).

You know how a baseball bat doughnut works? I wonder if the Toronto Marlies turn out to be that for the Stars. The Marlies were an astonishing group during these playoffs. The Marlies/Stars Conference Finals went seven-games and was the Marlies defense getting bested by the high powered Stars offense. Calder Cup Finals Game 1 for the Stars? 6-goals – including 4 goals through the first two-periods when they had 15 shots on goal. Our Jason Karnosky‘s preview prediction said Stars in six-games. If the Stars swept the IceCaps – I wouldn’t be shocked.

~Kelly Cup~

If our boys in the ECHL, the Cincinnati Cyclones, are going to win this year’s Kelly Cup they’ll need to win Game 6, travel all the way to Alaska, and win Game 7. The prospect of winning the Kelly Cup in Cincinnati was there thanks to the victory in Game 2. The next three games of the series, played in Cinci, needed to be won to ensure that. Yet, the Alaska Aces topped the Cyclones in Game 5 by a finale score of 4-2.

Alaska can win the Kelly Cup tonight in Cincinnati. Should the Cyclones force Game 7 – it will be played in Alaska on Wednesday.

How do you see the Stanley Cup, Calder Cup, and Kelly Cup playing out? Can the Cincinnati Cyclones force Game 7 tonight?

Happy Monday, Roundtable. Plenty of goodies to discuss from the previous week of hockey. Let’s dive in.

~ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs~

The Cincinnati Cyclones are currently tied with the Alaska Aces, 1-1, through the first two-games of the Kelly Cup Finals. The opening three-games are being played in Alaska with the third taking place tonight at 9:15pm CST.

In Game 1, the Cyclones lost 5-3 despite holding 3-1 lead in the second period. They redeemed themselves in Game 2 by winning a tight 2-1 contest that included a saved penalty shot by Cyclones netminder Rod Madore.

With the victory in Game 2 by the Cyclones on the road, regardless of tonight’s outcome, they have a chance to close out the Kelly Cup in Cincinnati. The Kelly Cup Finals format is going 3-3-1 for a seven-game series. Winning one on the road is a plus. If they win tonight – the pressure is on big time for the Aces to push back on the road. Alaska won’t see home ice until Game 7 after the conclusion of tonight.  One win for Cinci was good. Two would be even better.

~AHL Calder Cup Playoffs~

The Conference Finals are both heading to Game 6 scenarios with the team that is up controlling home ice from this point forward. We will know our 2014 AHL Calder Cup Final contenders on Wednesday night or sooner.

The St. John’s IceCaps are leading the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 3-2. The IceCaps had a 3-1 series lead and were in shouting distance, in the third period, of finishing the series in five games. Then came the equalizer from the Baby Pens – followed by the game-winner with sixteen-seconds remaining to force a Game 6 in St. John’s. That series resumes on Tuesday. If necessary, Game 7 will be played Wednesday.

Remember when the Toronto Marlies couldn’t lose? The top team in the AHL this season has them on the brink of elimination now. The Texas Stars have a 3-2 series lead and are heading to Texas looking to finish it tonight in Game 6. Should Drew MacIntyre and company hang on for a Game 7 – it will be played on Tuesday.

~Peter Laviolette Introduced to Nashville Fans~

The Nashville Predators new head coach made his first public appearance in his new surroundings at the Music City Sports Festival yesterday. There are plenty of goodies to read up on as well: Josh Cooper at The Tennessean, Jason Zito at On The Forecheck, and Jim Diamond has a real good story up on Rinkside Report regarding Seth Jones first impression on Coach Lavi.

All things sound good from his first appearance. I was really happy with his appointment as head coach. I can’t wait to see where he takes the Predators over the next few years.

~NHL Stanley Cup Finals~

Catch last night’s brilliant Game 7 between the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks? Of course you did, and we now know that the New York Rangers will be joined by the Kings in this year’s Stanley Cup Finals. I’d have loved to see an all Original Six match-up for the cup. That said, I’d like to take the Rangers in six-games. Who do you have winning the Cup?

Hello Roundtable! Apologies for a lack of updates in recent days and weeks. On my end, I’ve had a massive family gathering for my sister’s wedding up in Madison – which included the arrival of my British side of the fam. It has been fairly busy – but a ton of fun.

To account for the summer days ahead where not much is exactly happening I think I will start up this feature, Summer Ramblings, so we have a weekly gossip column about all things Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville Predators, and general hockey news. Considering my absence the last week or so – this first edition should be on the hefty side. Let’s dive in.

~Cincinnati Cyclones Closing In On Kelly Cup~

Our pals in Cincinnati are one-game away from eliminating the Greenville Road Warriors and reaching the ECHL Kelly Cup Finals. They won Game 5 on Sunday to take a 3-2 series lead courtesy of “Big Head” Zach Budish. Game 6 will be tonight in Cincinnati at 7:35 pm EST. If they don’t close it out later tonight Game 7 will be tomorrow night – same time, same place.

~AHL Calder Cup Playoffs~

The Toronto Marlies finally lost in the Calder Cup Playoffs. They lost 6-3 on the road to the Texas Stars in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

Not only is that amazing but consider the following. When the Stars took a 2-1 lead in the 2nd Period of last night’s contest they became the first team in the entire playoffs to hold a lead over the Marlies. According to AHL Communications on Twitter: the Marlies played 512:05 in the Calder Cup Playoffs before trailing for the first time.

I don’t know about you guys but the more the playoffs stormed on the lesser that sweep at the hands of the Marlies has stung. The Admirals entered hot. The Wolves were hot – and coming off of a thrilling seven-game series against the Rochester Americans. And the Marlies swept both clean – including taking Game 1 on the road against the Texas Stars. They may have lost finally, sure, but they head back to Toronto for the next three-games of the series with a chance to avoid heading back to Texas for Game 6 and Game 7. To say “impressive” might not do justice to how well Toronto has played in the post-season.

~2014 IIHF World Championship~

This weekend Russia was able to defeat Pekka Rinne and Finland for the 2014 IIHF World Championship. Perhaps it accounts for their woeful effort at home during the Olympics? Either way, it did mean some slight disappointment for Rinne – who did just about everything but take down Russia in the Final. He finished the tournament as its MVP and was phenomenal. It should boost Nashville Predators fans everywhere to think what having a healthy Rinne entering this coming season should mean for a full-campaign.

There were plenty of other Predators players in the mix at the World in Belarus. Among the best was Seth Jones – who was named the tournament’s top defenseman. Here is a quick round up of who did what in the tournament:

Ryan Ellis: 8 GP, 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists), +9
Pekka Rinne: 9 GP, 1.88 GAA, 0.928 SV%, 3 SO
Juuse Saros: 0 GP
Miikka Salomaki: 10 GP, 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist), 18 PIM, +3
Mattias Ekholm: 10 GP, 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists), 8 PIM, +1
Calle Jarnkrok: 10 GP, 0 points, 4 PIM, +3
Roman Josi: 7 GP, 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists), 2 PIM, -1
Simon Moser: 7 GP, 2 assists, 6 PIM, -1
Seth Jones: 8 GP, 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists), 6 PIM, +8
Craig Smith: 8 GP, 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists), 10 PIM, +3

~Washington Capitals Hire Barry Trotz~

For those who missed yesterday’s news – Kristopher Martel of The Predatorial was confirmed as a scoop-master. By that I mean he was on the money because former Nashville Predators head coach Barry Trotz signed up to take the coaching gig in Washington. In addition to Trotz appointment behind the bench the Capitals also tabbed Brian MacLellan as their new general manager.

I’m looking forward to seeing a relationship of Trotz and Alex Ovechkin. At least Trotz is fairly used to players quitting on defense. That could be a drama worth tuning into every now and then starting this fall.

~Roundtable at Goolsby’s~

Tomorrow is the Milwaukee Admirals annual Garage Sale. If you’re a season ticket holder who has already paid in full – GREAT NEWS – you get early access to the event starting at 4pm in the BMO Harris Bradley Center’s West Atrium. As for other season ticket holders, the event is from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. It will be open to the public on Thursday from 11am to 7pm.

After that event finishes up tomorrow night I’ll be over at Major Goolsby’s along with a few Admirals fans. Our plan: to hear everyone’s input on the 2013-14 Admirals Roundtable Paper Plates Awards. That’s right. We’re doing this in-person this go-round and you can join in the fun.

There is literally no “event planning” to this other than me saying I’m heading over to Goolsby’s around 7pm. I’ll be wearing my #41 Lavender jersey. I’m thinking we set up shop, get a meal, a drink or two, and have some fun! If you’re thinking about going to the Garage Sale – drop by. I welcome all of you to join in.

That out to cover the Ramblings for now. Did I miss anything? Hit the comments section and less banter about it and other fun things like where did the Chicago Blackhawks go?