The Nashville Predators have added key pieces to the Milwaukee Admirals' lineup for next season.
The Milwaukee Admirals had an exceptional season nearly making it all the way to the Calder Cup Finals, losing in game 7 of the Western Conference Championships to the Coachella Valley Firebirds. With several Admirals players vying for a position with the Predators in the franchise's roster reset and the departure of goaltender Devin Cooley, Nashville has signed some new additions for Milwaukee.
Troy Grosenick
Last season, the goaltending tandem of Yaroslav Askarov and Devin Cooley helped lead the Milwaukee Admirals to the brink of the Calder Cup, losing to the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. The duo began the season sharing starts, but Askarov took over the starting role shortly into the season. It was Cooley who stepped up late in the postseason taking over in net in the Western Conference finals and performing well. The "bromance" between Cooley and Askarov broke up (at least on the ice) when Cooley signed a one year, two way deal with the Buffalo Sabres and their AHL affiliate the Rochester Americans.
In Cooley's absence, the Predators have signed goaltender Troy Grosenick. Grosenick is a familiar face to the Milwaukee Admirals' faithful having played 86 games for the Ads between 2017-2020. Grosenick shared time in net with Connor Ingram, and together they led the Admirals to the league's best record in 2020.
The 33 year old Wisconsin native will bring a veteran presence for the Admirals as they continue to invest in the development of young Askarov. Grosenick's deal is a one year, two way contract worth $775,000 at the NHL level.
Cal O'Reilly
The 36 year old forward is returning to where it all started in his 17 year career. Drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fifth round of the 2005 draft, O'Reilly played 145 NHL games but spent most of his time in the AHL. During his career he played with the Admirals, Portland Pirates, Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins, Utica Comets, Rochester Americans, Iowa Wild, and most recently with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
O'Reilly played part of five seasons with the Admirals. He was on the team for the 2005 Calder Cup finals and in 2007-2008 set a Milwaukee record with a 63 assist season.
Jasper Weatherby
The Predators signed 25 year old forward Jasper Weatherby to a one year, two way contract worth $775,000 at the NHL level. Wetherby spent last season with the San Jose Barracuda and the Grand Rapids Griffins after being traded to Detroit. He played 70 games last season between the two teams and scored 17 points.
Weatherby was a fourth round pick in 2018 by the San Jose Sharks. He played 50 NHL games with San Jose in 2021-22 recording five goals and eleven points. The 6-foot-4 forward plays a solid two way game using his size and physicality.
Anthony Angello
Barry Trotz announced the team signed Anthony Angello to a two year, two way contract at $775,000 at the NHL level. Angello joined Milwaukee partway through the 2022-23 season after being acquired from St Louis. The physical forward recorded seven goals and 12 points in 17 regular season games with the Admirals and played 16 post season games in which he scored three points.
Angello's contributions to the Admirals were more than just on the scoreboard. General Manager Barry Trotz liked what he saw from the 27 year old veteran down the stretch.
"Angello was impressive down the stretch in Milwaukee," Trotz said on Monday. "He plays wing, he can play center. He's really just been good with our young guys. I thought last year he had a really good playoff."
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