On the Forecheck, a Nashville Predators community

So, it sounds like Ian Herbers is indeed leaving Milwaukee to lead the University of Alberta Golden Bears. This is a real head-scratcher, and sends Paul Fenton on the hunt for another new Admirals head coach.

I forgot to note this the other day, but Roman Josi is finally practicing again in Milwaukee. He was expected to make the Preds 3rd pairing out of training camp, so hopefully after taking a few weeks getting back into game shape we'll see if he can make it back to Nashville...

Congratulations go out to Kirk Muller, winning his first game as a head coach tonight, 4-1 over Peoria. Ryan Thang and Michael Latta each tallied a goal and an assist.

Ryan Ellis, the Preds 1st-round draft pick in 2009, has now joined the Milwaukee Admirals for the playoffs following the elimination of his Windsor Spitfires in the OHL.

The Milwaukee Admirals also face a critical Game 5 tonight against the Texas Stars, after they won Game 4 Wednesday night. Gabriel Bourque and Chris Mueller continue to lead the way, but Taylor Beck scored his first professional goal as well.

The Milwaukee Admirals got their playoff run off to a fine start, topping the Texas Stars 5-2. Gabriel Bourque had a 5-point night, while Chris Mueller added two goals and two assists, and Jeremy Smith got the victory with 22 saves.

The honors keep rolling in... with 3 goals and 3 assists in two games, Blake Geoffrion takes the weekly AHL award.

Last year, it was Ben Eaves, now another veteran forward is leaving mid-season. According to Admirals Roundtable, Jamie Lundmark is leaving the Admirals for a chance to play in Europe. Just wondering out loud, but perhaps the fact that so many guys have been called up (Andreas Thuresson being the latest) ahead of him has led to frustration?

Our man in Milwaukee, Ryan Miller, opened this discussion over at Ads Roundtable. I wasn't able to participate due to holiday travel, but for my $0.02, I think it's telling that with all the injuries up the middle, we haven't seen at least a temporary battlefield promotion for Wilson to center guys like Dumont and/or Erat. If the Preds want him to contribute offensively, send him down for a bit to get him going. If they want to focus on his long-term development instead, he'd get more playing time down there, anyway. What do you think should be done with Willy?

John Glennon at The Tennessean gets a number of player assessments from Predators assistant GM Paul Fenton, after the Milwaukee Admirals were eliminated from the AHL playoffs. It will be very interesting to see how these players look when training camp opens in a few months.