Predators Prospects Shine Through Deep Playoff Run with Admirals

Let's hear it for the Ads.

On Monday, the Nashville Predators' AHL affiliate Milwaukee Admirals closed the book on a memorable season after falling to the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Game Six of the Western Conference Final.

Though the loss brought a premature end to the team's exciting Calder Cup Playoff run, a number of Preds prospects spent the days from late April to early June icing performances that signal encouraging and exciting things on the horizon for SMASHVILLE.

From first-timers to returning veterans, here are seven Preds prospects who made an impact not only for the Ads, but for their own development into future NHL talent.

Yaroslav Askarov

By the time the Admirals reached the Western Conference Final, only one rookie netminder remained: Preds' No. 1 goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov.

The 20-year-old netminder indeed played a huge role in getting the Admirals that far, making timely saves and earning wins in a number of key games against both the Manitoba Moose and the Texas Stars.

Even after taking a pair of losses in Games One and Two of the Conference Final, Askarov concluded his debut postseason run with a 2.70 goals-against average and .903 save percentage.

For comparison, the debut AHL postseason of a certain Finnish-born netminder - whose number may or may not currently hang from the Bridgestone Arena rafters - posted a 2.86 goals-against and a .905 save percentage in just two more appearances.

Put simply, Nashville's elite goaltending is likely here to stay for the foreseeable future.

Luke Evangelista

Before April 28, 2023, forward Luke Evangelista had never skated in a single Calder Cup Playoff game - but you'd likely never assume that to be the case.

On Monday, Evangelista concluded his debut postseason leading the Admirals in points (16) and assists (11). Even more impressive, Evangelista placed second among all AHL rookies in both categories as well.

While the stat lines alone point to a continuing upward trajectory for the young, offensive talent, Evangelista gained tremendous amounts of experience and confidence through several high-stakes games.

"I think that's the reason that Nashville wanted to send us back at the end of the year," he said. "You experienced those big games when your season was on the line… I think the experience you get from these kinds of playoff runs really help you in the long run."

Joakim Kemell

Another first-timer in the Calder Cup Playoffs was Preds' 2022 first-round pick Joakim Kemell, and like Evangelista, the young forward proved a threatening offensive presence for Milwaukee.

After 14 games, Kemell led both the Admirals and all AHL rookies with eight goals - an impressive feat, considering how short a runway the young winger had leading up to his first American League postseason.

Joining the Admirals down the stretch for just 14 games, the 19-year-old Finn soon found that his offensive skill and hard-nosed identity fit in well with the professional North American style.

Nobody could have described the fit better - or perhaps in fewer words - than the man himself:

"I don't know," Kemell said. "I just like it."

Egor Afanasyev

After making his NHL debut and ultimately playing down the stretch in Nashville this season, Egor Afanasyev began his second AHL postseason with a boost of confidence and momentum.

Those 17 games in the Music City paid noticeable dividends for the 22-year-old forward, who tallied 11 points (5g-6a) in 16 games, a night and day difference from the zero points registered during the Ads' five-game playoff run the year prior.

"Experience matters," Afanasyev said back in April. "And I think as long as you learn from experience, I think it'll help you down the stretch. And it's the same for me."

Now armed with NHL experience and production throughout a deep American League playoff run, Afanasyev will still be very much in the hunt for a roster spot come training camp.

Adam Wilsby

Adam Wilsby got his first taste of postseason action with Milwaukee last year, albeit through a brief three-game stint. This year, after a full 72-game season with the Admirals, the 22-year-old entered the postseason with added poise and confidence.

After 16 games, Wilsby had tallied eight points (2g-6a) and placed third among the Ads' lineup with a +4 rating.
The stats are eerily reminiscent of Preds Captain Roman Josi, who - at 20 years old - recorded a +4 rating, one goal and six assists in 13 games of the 2011 Calder Cup Playoffs.

The next step for Wilsby will be cracking Nashville's roster, and he'll return for his second training camp this summer looking to do just that.

Marc Del Gaizo

Of all the prospects included on this list, Marc Del Gaizo holds the most AHL postseason experience, and over the last 16 games, it showed.

Del Gaizo placed second among the Admirals' lineup in points (12) and shots (36) during his second trip to the Calder Cup Playoffs, and the 23-year-old blueliner proved a calm and collected leader during Milwaukee's many must-win games.

"I think I thrive in situations where it's really intense and all the details and things like that matter," Del Gaizo said ahead of the Western Conference Finals. "I'm just trying to build my own game every game."

Del Gaizo has yet to make an NHL appearance, but remains a viable option for a new GM and coaching tandem looking for young talent.

Spencer Stastney

Spencer Stastney may have not cracked the scoresheet quite as frequently as some of the other Admirals' rookies, but the 23-year-old blueliner's contributions did not go unnoticed.

Of course, Stastney's late third period goal in the winner-take-all Game Five of the Central Division Semifinals comes to mind first, with the tally effectively punching Milwaukee's ticket to the next round.

But Stastney also heated up considerably when the stakes were the highest, recording back-to-back multipoint nights in Games One and Two of the Western Conference Final.

There's plenty of room to grow, but with NHL experience and his first AHL postseason under his belt, Stastney will be another player to watch during training camp.