Despite the ever-changing lineup, the Admiral continues to compete | theahl.com
Jason Karnosky | Ah, beat
With players moving in both directions, life in the American Hockey League is no easy task in coaching or management.
It’s even a challenge for the AHL squad when their National Hockey League club struggles to deal with injuries or have other rosters.
Throughout the season, Nashville Predators called for many prospects, but the Milwaukee Admiral continued to win. While rarely having the same roster for two consecutive nights and dressing up more than 40 players in 60 games, the Admiral competes for the top spot in the central department.
“There are always a lot of movements at this level, but we have more exercises this year than usual,” the head coach said. Karl Taylor explain. “Nashville was injured, we were injured, we had a lot of players called playing and got the chance, which was great for them.
“As a coaching staff, we can’t really control that. Instead, we try to focus on the players we have here. We do poach a staff member and our new guys are doing well for us.”
The roster of players who have played in Milwaukee and Nashville this season is shocking. Some players like it Zach L’Heureux,,,,, Fedor Svechkov,,,,, Nick Blankenburg and Adam Wellsby Early this season, the Predator received a full-time job. Others like it Ozzy Wiesblatt and Joakim Kemell This season, the NHL debut will be made. Then there is a large list of players including Kieffer Bellows,,,,, Jake Lucchini,,,,, Marc del Gaizo,,,,, Spencer Stastney and the Navy Captain Kevin Gravel He moved back and forth between Milwaukee and Nashville this season.
All of these sports require the predators to keep their brass on their toes and maintain a competitive and growing lineup in Milwaukee.
“This season, we have some challenges to bring our roster together,” Admiral General Manager Scott Nicol explain. “But these challenges also keep you on your toes.”
Taylor, who won the Louis Ar Pieri Award in 2019-20, became an outstanding coach at the AHL, continues to impress his juggling skills on the bench in Milwaukee. Although he had to make all the adjustments to his roster card, the Admiral continued to win the game. After a quick start, they won eight of the first nine games, and Milwaukee enjoyed a while from January 18 to February 13, and they lost just two games in the regulations.
“I’m very proud of our team and our achievements because it’s easy for us to make excuses,” Taylor said. “There are a bunch of excuses there sitting there waiting for us to catch us. It’s a sensation of our leadership group in Milwaukee. Kyle MarinoJake Lucchini and Cal O’Reilly Driving in the room all the time. ”
Eternal veteran O’Reilly has been a key part of his team’s success and leadership core this season. The 38-year-old O’Reilly is the oldest player in the AHL this season, leading all admirals with 41 points, including four goals and 11 points, an incredible five games from January 18-24.
“Carl has been playing like he found the source of youth,” Taylor said. “We tried to put him in a good position to use his skills. He was really happy to see the ice and did some games. He was undoubtedly leading our team now and he worked great for us.”
With the trade deadline approaching, Nashville maintains a long shot of the NHL playoffs, and the group’s youth sports are likely to continue throughout the rest of the season.
Milwaukee will rely on new additions that go hand in hand with the upstream to keep the competition this year. The main admirals who have been with the team during most of the 2024-25 campaign include Ryan Ufko,,,,, Jack Livingstone,,,,, Kevin Wall and Navilin muttered to himself.
“There are some people here who play for us, at different stages in their careers,” Taylor said. “As a coaching staff, we are here to serve them. We want to maximize what each player does in their career and assist with what each player is trying to do.”
Ondrej Pavel and Ryder Rolston There were two mid-season discoveries that they had an impact in Milwaukee. Mark Friedman It is a new feature that has recently arrived at the Admiral through the Vancouver organization. Anders Bjork,,,,, Chase De Leo,,,,, Jesse Elonin And two AHL All-Stars Grigori Denisenko He is still here and is playing a lot for the Admiral.
“This year is definitely a challenge for all the sports within the organization,” Del Gaizo said. “The guys we’ve added are constantly strengthening and playing a bigger role for us.”
Del Gaizo could once again be Taylor’s choice later this season. Currently, the 24-year-old is making the most of his latest NHL appointment, scoring his first NHL goal on March 1. Bellows, Bellows, Stastney, Wilsby and Svechkov may also return from Nashville to provide Milwaukee with the Calder Cup playoffs.
“I really believe that no matter your roster, there is a way to win every night,” Taylor said. “Sometimes the edges are tight. Sometimes you have to wear extra defensives, or you need to use your own strength to play, but I do believe there is always a way.”
The central division is still tight, with Milwaukee trailing only No. 1 behind Texas, entering the weekend. This means that the Admiral is powerless to waste any time feeling sorry for himself.
“We have some new guys again, so we’re trying to get them up, but we’re getting a big hit in the season,” Taylor said. “In the case of extension, every team is working to secure the playoff location, so we’re going to need all of us to contribute.”
