The Nashville Predators announced this afternoon that they have extended their affiliation agreement with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals through the 2024-25 season. President of Hockey Operations David Poile spoke with the media today after the club had extended their pact with the only AHL affiliate they have ever known. The Admirals have been Nashville’s affiliate since the Predators inaugural season in 1998-99
Milwaukee has been competitive through most of their run with Nashville and have made the playoffs in five of the past six seasons. They’ve reached the Calder Cup final twice during the affiliation and even won the league title in 2004. While the club has been able to cultivate a winning culture, they’ve also been able to develop an incredible number of players for the Predators. Over 200 players have dressed in games for both the Admirals and Predators including 15 players just last year.
On top of developing on ice talent, Milwaukee has produced a lot of behind the bench talent as well. The Admirals have seen eight of their head coaches or assistant coaches move onto NHL jobs after their time in Milwaukee.
The Admirals might have an infusion of young talent in the upcoming couple of years as the Predators have 13 draft picks in the upcoming NHL entry draft including seven picks in the first three rounds. Nashville also holds three second round picks in 2024 and could be on the verge of re-tooling after making a flurry of trades at this year’s trade deadline including the lopsided deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins where they shipped off Mikael Granlund for a second round pick.
Nice! On top of their on ice product, the Admirals get an A++ from me for their logo and designs.