Today on NashvillePredators.com Bryan Mullen talks about the pressures on the young Preds players to maintain their roster spots (read here) ... has us thinking, which Admirals players are most likely to follow the Jon Blum/Blake Geoffrion/Matt Halischuk/Nick Spaling path from "Milwaukee-to-NHL regular" this season? Let us know your thoughts below.
Who will be this year's Preds in-season impact call-up?
Started by
PredsAdmin
, Oct 05 2011 02:53 PM
7 replies to this topic
#2
22wasbeast
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Posted 05 October 2011 - 09:06 PM
Unless something happens i could see Blum being an NHL regular and i think Spaling already is
#3
stryke3_mb
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Posted 06 October 2011 - 12:09 AM
Unless something happens i could see Blum being an NHL regular and i think Spaling already is
Yes, they are both NHL regulars and very important pieces to the team. Blum and Klein make up the 2nd defensive pairing. Blum has the potential to be a future All-Star. Spaling was mostly a penalty-killing defensive specialist who will be aksed to not only provide those skills again this year, but he will also be counted on to provide improved offensive totals.
As far as who is starting in Milwaukee that can make an impact in the NHL this season, there are quite a few. On the blueline, Ellis has the ability to become a huge star in the league. Josi could be the Blum of this year. I believe he'll have a long, successful career in this league.
From an offensive standpoint, Chris Mueller played well during his callup last year. He only helped his case during the preseason, and I feel he could be the first forward called up if and when an injury occurs. Gabriel Bourque plays an all-out, two-way game that the coaches love. He really caught my eye during the preseason, proving that he hasn't slacked off from his amazing showing during the AHL playoffs. Then there's Taylor Beck. Sure, he may be straight out of juniors, but he has shown a nice scoring touch that would be greatly appreciated in Smashville.
Those are my picks to keep in mind...
#4
Wranglertn
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Posted 11 October 2011 - 08:24 AM
Josi or Ellis... But hopefully won't need them this year, unless Hillen doesnt step up.. I really like this team
#5
Wranglertn
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Posted 11 October 2011 - 08:25 AM
I'm not a big fan of Mueller
#6
voldemort82
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Posted 11 October 2011 - 09:24 AM
you always hope we dont "need" a callup to take over a roster spot full time.
I would guess Ellis is the most likely player to get called up and "stick"
besides that Mueller would probably provide servicable fill-in time but i doubt if he will perform well enough to bump someone out of a permanent spot.
in fact, I forsee geoffrion getting sent back down once Fisher and Erat are healthy, but he would obviously be the first callup so i dont know if this would even count in what you were asking...
I would guess Ellis is the most likely player to get called up and "stick"
besides that Mueller would probably provide servicable fill-in time but i doubt if he will perform well enough to bump someone out of a permanent spot.
in fact, I forsee geoffrion getting sent back down once Fisher and Erat are healthy, but he would obviously be the first callup so i dont know if this would even count in what you were asking...
#7
Tony318
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Draftee
Posted 11 October 2011 - 10:52 AM
I literally started following the team one week ago so please forgive me if this is a ridiculous question.
Any chance Craig Smith will be sent to Milwaukee when Fisher and Erat return? I only ask because it seems I've read alot about the road to Nashville going through Milwaukee as being a big part of the "Predator Way"
As a former Thrasher fan, I'm used to seeing any player with a sliver of offensive flair being in the NHL asap. Maybe there is something to be said for a solid system of development.
Any chance Craig Smith will be sent to Milwaukee when Fisher and Erat return? I only ask because it seems I've read alot about the road to Nashville going through Milwaukee as being a big part of the "Predator Way"
As a former Thrasher fan, I'm used to seeing any player with a sliver of offensive flair being in the NHL asap. Maybe there is something to be said for a solid system of development.
#8
LBlais1973
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Posted 11 October 2011 - 11:08 AM
I literally started following the team one week ago so please forgive me if this is a ridiculous question.
Any chance Craig Smith will be sent to Milwaukee when Fisher and Erat return? I only ask because it seems I've read alot about the road to Nashville going through Milwaukee as being a big part of the "Predator Way"
As a former Thrasher fan, I'm used to seeing any player with a sliver of offensive flair being in the NHL asap. Maybe there is something to be said for a solid system of development.
With Smiths 4p in 2 games and his performance so far it's hard to tell. Yes he's just outta college but I heard something on 102.5 The Game this morning from Poile that they told Smith the road to Nashville does go through Milwaukee but that if he wanted to play NHL this year he would have to step up in camp (and he did) he had to step in preseason games (he did) and now he is stepping up on the ice in our first two games. So there may be a few exceptions to the the Milwaukee Road. I think at this point (IMHRO in my humble rookie opinion) that Poile is trying to put together a play off team now and not wait till the trade deadline.
It almost feels like produce or move on at this point especially with the rumor of Stortini put on waivers and us picking up a guy from Anaheim not sure of his name...told you I was a rookie LOL>
