Things appear to be ahead of schedule with prospects for the Nashville Predators this season at the American Hockey League level. At the All-Star break for both leagues, the Milwaukee Admirals sit atop the Central Division and Western Conference with a 29-10-1 record.
More importantly, the Admirals are gelling, and skaters are pushing for an opportunity to play at the next level.
Nothing makes the future look brighter than a 12-game winning streak, especially for a group that has 12 skaters 22 years old or younger on the roster.
“I think everyone knew from the start of the year we had a good team,” forward Zachary L’Heureux said. “We had some hiccups in the early part of the season but once it started to click a little more in early December we were on a roll. It’s a mix of everything and it’s starting to show now.”
Since the Admirals winning streak began five skaters have scored 10 or more points, allowed 19 goals, and posted five shutouts. A recipe for getting attention from the big club up in Nashville.
Zachary L’Heureux chasing a loose puck vs the San Diego Gulls.
“I feel like when the call comes – hopefully it comes one day – that I’m ready to go,” L’Heureux said. “I think everybody is doing well down here and thinks they deserve a shot. In a way, it’s a waiting game but I’m just doing what I can do to get better and focus on my game. Once that call comes hopefully I get a chance to show myself.”
Up on the blue line for the Admirals defenseman, Spencer Stastney has spent the second most time with the Predators on a call-up basis appearing in nine NHL games this season. He scored his first career goal in St. Louis and once Nashville had a healthy lineup again Statstney was reassigned to Milwaukee.
“I feel that I’m getting more consistent with my game,” Stastney said when asked what he’s proud of this season. “I’m trying to be a little more physical and gritty. As an undersized guy, I gotta skate harder in some areas whereas for some other big guys, it’s easier for them.”
While Statsney was up in Nashville head coach Andrew Brunette stated it “was clear as mud” when figuring out the lineup on defense. A competition he’s been seeing all season, even when giving a younger player a look.
“There were good amounts of healthy competition when I was up there for sure,” Stastney said. “It’s a competition but it’s healthy to be down here to keep developing. We have a lot of younger defensemen here that have bright futures. I hope the Preds keep playing well and the Admrials play well. Wherever guys are we’re happy to be there and we’ll just keep trying to win.”
Statsney pointed to the Admiral’s most recent win over the Manitoba Moose as a microcosm of trusting what’s been taught on the ice and maintaining pressure no matter what.
“It’s both us playing well and the back end really supporting the offense but also the forwards helping us out and giving us those good looks there,” Stastney said.
Head coach Karl Taylor has seen the success and development unfold in front of him and at this pace, the veteran bench boss has received NHL attention as well.
L’Heureux said it’s been cool to have Taylor as his head coach now that he’s with the Admirals full-time. In the last few seasons, he’s only spent time with Taylor at training camps.
Milwaukee celebrates a win over the Belleville Senators on Jan. 24, 2024.
“He’s a pretty lively coach and gets emotionally involved in the game and he’s the kind of coach that you want to battle hard for every time you’re on the ice you want to win your battles,” L’Heureux said. “He’s really helped round out my game.”
Milwaukee returns to action on Friday at home against the Chicago Wolves with their winning streak on the line. The Predators aren’t slated to play another game until Feb. 10 against the Arizona Coyotes.
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of Milwaukee Admirals
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