A Solid Partnership

Having a solid affiliation deal can benefit NHL teams in a big way. You can't deny the success that the Hershey Bears have had in sending players to the Washington Capitals, and that affiliation seems rock-solid in every way. Having independent franchises at the AHL and ECHL levels could cause issues for some franchises, but it seems that the Nashville Predators have been seeing a lot of benefits in their affiliations with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals and the ECHL's Atlanta Gladiators. Thanks to the news today, those affiliations will continue for the next few seasons!

This story actually starts back on March 13 when the Nashville Predators and Atlanta Gladiators announced a two-year affiliation extension between the clubs beginning next season. While some may shrug their shoulders on this one, having the Gladiators as one of their development stages should prove beneficial for the Predators. Goaltender Ethan Haider is one of those players getting experience at the ECHL after being drafted in 2019, and he looks like he could factor into future netminding plans for the Predators.

Atlanta is seeing some benefit as well as the Gladiators have "had 11 players join the club under either an American Hockey League or National Hockey League contract" since the affiliation agreement began in 2022-23. Being a solid partner in the development of Nashville's players is something in which the Gladiators take pride.

"We're extremely excited to be extending our affiliation with the Nashville Predators organization," Executive Vice President of the Atlanta Gladiators Jared Youngman said. "This decision solidifies our commitment to long-term success, and strengthens our collaboration with our NHL and AHL partners, ensuring we stay focused on excellence both on and off the ice."

With one affiliation in their pocket, the Nashville Predators secured the step between them and the Gladiators today as the Milwaukee Admirals and Nashville Predators have announced a four-year extension agreement through the 2028-29 season. This long-standing affiliation goes back to 1998, and it has been extremely fruitful for the Predators when one considers that Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, Pekka Rinne, Mattias Ekholm, and Juuse Saros all spent time with the Admirals. In short, the Predators and Admirals have forged a fantastic partnership over the years that has helped both clubs.

"We are thrilled to extend this very successful partnership between our two organizations for another four seasons," said Milwaukee Admirals owner and CEO Harris Turer. "The Predators staff is committed to putting a winning team on the ice in Milwaukee while also developing players for the next level."

As stated in the linked release above, "the Admirals have accumulated 1,058 wins and a .594 points percentage" since 1998 while winning "seven division titles, two Western Conference championships and the 2004 Calder Cup". Add in that "[b]etween 2003-04 and 2012-13, the Admirals became the first team in AHL history to record 10 consecutive 40-win seasons," and you can see that the Admirals are run as one of the AHL's very best franchises while working extremely well with the Predators.

I don't normally congratulate teams for conducting business, but this one needs a pat on the back thanks to the agreement that will take the Predators and Admirals through three decades of working together. Atlanta is the new blood in this partnership, but it seems like the bridge between the ECHL, AHL, and NHL is strong when it comes to Nashville's affiliations. If you want an example of how to draft and develop, this affiliation between these three teams might be one of the better instances of that process in all of hockey.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!