Projected 2010/11 Milwaukee Admirals line-up

With the start of free agency today, its a good time to see what to expect the Ads line-up to look like and what may be needed through free agency. (Players in bold are under contract and expected to be in Milwaukee)

Forwards:

Mark Santorelli - Mike Santorelli (unsigned RFA) - Andreas Thuresson (resigned RFA)

Ryan Thang- Blake Geoffrion - Matt Halischuk

Kelsey Wilson - Empty - Ian McKenzie

Linus Klasen - Empty - Ryan Flynn

One would assume Blake Geoffrion would start the season in Milwaukee to get top 6 minutes rather than the 4th line in Nashville, but could possibly change based on his training camp.

The main openings are two centers for the 3rd/4th lines which will probably just end up being filled by AHL contracts, along with another wing to replace Ian McKenzie who has to be on the hot seat in terms of making the team.


Defense:

Jonathan Blum - Alex Sulzer

Roman Josi - Teemu Laasko(re-signed RFA)

Cody Franson(unsigned RFA) - Empty

Franson and one of Laakso/Sulzer/Josi would be expected to be in Nashville at the start of the season, leaving as many as 3 openings, in addition to a 7th defenseman as the team carries.

With these openings, it could be expected that one or two of the following UFAs would be re-signed: Nolan Yonkman, Mark Matheson, Scott Ford. Despite Yonkman's questionable play, he is the most recognized Admirals player and most marketed player and was a key piece to the team's PK lines last season, while Ford and Matheson are both experienced in the system and would easily fit the 3rd pairing role.


Goaltenders:

Chet Pickard
Jeremy Smith
Mark Dekanich (unsigned RFA)
Anders Lindback (Preds stated he will play in NA this year)

At this point, goaltending will be a craps shoot depending on whether a back-up for Rinne is signed, and how the various goaltenders play in camp. Personally, I have a hard time imaginging Jeremy Smith ending up in the ECHL for another year, but is quite possible if Dekanich is resigned, or another goaltender is signed to back up Rinne in Nashville.

edit: Teemu Laakso re-signed to a one year, two-way contract today.

6/30/10 David Desharnais

David Desharnais; Hamilton Bulldogs at Milwaukee Admirals, January 31, 2010.

Also, as probably read by now, Predators unrestricted free agents Dan Ellis and Dustin Boyd were traded to Montreal in exchange for restricted free agent Sergei Kostitsyn. Montreal can negotiate with the two players before becoming unrestricted free agents on Thursday. Also involved is a lower round draft pick depending on which players sign with their new teams.

6/29/10 Jimmy Howard

Detroit Red Wings' goalie Jimmy Howard from his 2008/09 season with the Grand Rapids Griffins; February 10, 2009.

Preds re-sign Andreas Thuresson

Forward Andreas Thuresson has been re-signed to a 1 year, 2-way contract. He lead the Admirals in points in their first round playoff series against the Chicago Wolves.

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed forward Andreas Thuresson (an-DRAY-uhs TUHR-eh-suhn) to a one-year, two-way contract worth $575,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level.

Thuresson, 22 (11/18/87), played 22 games with the Predators, and 50 games with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) in 2009-10. He posted three points (1g-2a) as a rookie, made his NHL debut Oct. 31, 2009 vs. Dallas and notched his first NHL goal in a 2-1 overtime victory on Dec. 31, 2009 at Columbus. The Kristianstad, Sweden native also amassed 33 points (14g-19a) with the Admirals, equaling his 2008-09 goal output in 24 fewer games. Thuresson also led Milwaukee in 2010 Calder Cup Playoff scoring (2g-7a-9pts) and tied for the playoff team lead in assists and penalty minutes (16).

The 6-1, 212-pound right wing was Nashville's seventh choice, 144th overall (fifth round), in 2007 Entry Draft.

6/28/10 Aki Seitsonen

Aki Seitsonen lifts the puck over the goalie's right pad. Quad City Flames at Milwaukee Admirals, February 27, 2009.

6/25/10 Duncan Milroy

Probably the first, and only, time Duncan Milroy will show up in this blog, but he put a nice move on Icehog's dman Brian Connelly. (Trust me, it worked, though he couldn't get the shot past the goaltender)

Duncan Milroy; Houston Aeros at Rockfird Icehogs, March 14, 2010.

Icehogs change weekday start times

Next season, the Rockford Icehogs will be changing the start times to all weekday (Monday-Thursday) games from 7:05 pm to 6:35 pm.

This will probably not effect Admirals games though as the 5 contests in Rockford last year were played on Friday/Saturday.

6/24/10 J.P. Levasseur

Iowa Chops goalie Jean-Philippe Levasseur flashes the leather; Iowa Chops vs. Milwaukee Admirals, March 28, 2009.

6/23/10 Japanese Anime comes to GR

Or at least it looks something like a Pokemon?

Milwaukee Admirals at Grand Rapids Griffins, November 13, 2009.

Predators qualify 9 RFAs

Per the Tennessean, the Predators will qualify the following Restricted Free Agents:

Mark Dekanich
Cody Franson
Patric Hornqvist
Teemu Laakso
Mike Santorelli
Andreas Thuresson
Robert Dietrich
Matt Ellison
Antti Pihlstrom

The last 3 on the list are playing elsewhere, but are qualified in order to retain their rights if they return to North America.

Only player not qualified was Peter Olvecky, which should not come as a surprise after being "traded" from the Admirals to Manitoba in exchange for Marty Murray.

Preds are also undecided on RFA Dustin Boyd.

Also noted is that the team will not be making offers to Unrestricted Free Agents Ben Guite and Dave Scatchard who both played for the Admirals last season, but will make an offer to Captain Nolan Yonkman.

6/22/10 Spencer Machacek

Spencer Machacek; Chicago Wolves at Milwaukee Admirals, February 13, 2009.

6/21/10 Geoff Peters

Geoff Peters nets a goal; Quad City Flames at Milwaukee Admirals, February 27, 2009.

In Admirals news, the Nashville Predators traded C Jason Arnott to New Jersey for Matt Halischuk and a 2011 second round pick. Halischuk split time with New Jersey and their AHL affiliate in Lowell, scoring 22 pts in 32 AHL games.

6/17/10 Tuukka Rask

Tuukka Rask; Providence Brunins at Milwaukee Admirals, February 29, 2008.

6/16/10 Peter Olvecky

Peter Olvecky; Milwaukee Admirals at Grand Rapids Griffins, December 12, 2009.

6/15/10 Nolan Yonkman

Admirals' Nolan Yonkman blocks a shot by Rockford's Tim Hambly; April 18, 2009.

6/14/10 Admirals will win home opener

Per the Milwaukee Admirals website, Ben Guite will apparently net the game winner at the home opener this year.



Also, as mentioned earlier, it was made official that Robert Dietrich will be playing in Germany next season. Vacation kept me from posting the news when it happened last week and will try to update other details that have arisen in the past week.

6/11/10 Anton Khudobin

Anton Khudobin, Houston Aeros at Rockford Icehogs; March 14, 2010.

6/10/10 Hugh Jessiman, Max Noreau

Aero Max Noreau brings the puck around the back of the net while Admirals' Hugh Jessiman gives chase; March 20, 2010.

6/9/10 Matt Climie

A closer look at Stars' goalie Matt Climie's mask; March 23, 2010.

6/8/10 Jay Rosehill

Toronto Marlies forward Jay Rosehill climbs out of the Admirals bench; March 13, 2010.

6/7/10 Puck Drop!

Some young Icehog fans drop the ceremonial puck drop (before the players arrive) while Jason watches on.

6/4/10 Mark Matheson

Mark Matheson makes a diving poke-check to knock the puck away from Icehog Pete MacArthur; December 12, 2008.

6/2/10 Robert Dietrich

Robert Dietrich beats Wolves goalie Andre Pavelec stickside in a shootout attempt; February 13, 2009.