Former Admirals forward Ryan Jones used to harass Nick Spaling in practice. A lot. Jones is a very funny guy and, being a few years older than Spaling, ribbed the rookie quite a bit. He’d push him around, shoot pucks at him…things like that. It really seemed like a relationship between an older brother and a younger one. Spaling seemed to enjoy it for the good-natured play it was intended. He soaked it all in and scored 35 points in 79 games with the Admirals as a rookie.

 

Last December, a slightly older and wiser Spaling received the call to the NHL for the first time. He appeared in 28 games and contributed three assists.

 

Spaling has been revered for some time as a player that does ALL of the little things right. He kills penalties. He’s never out of position. He hits in the corners. This year, I think we see the offense from him.

 

Admirals head coach Lane Lambert told Dave Boehler of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “I think Spaling needs to have more of an offensive year.” He’ll certainly get the chance. Today in practice, Spaling played with the very skilled Linus (pronounced LEE-nus) Klasen and Andreas Thuresson. Matt Halischuk, one of Spaling’s linemates with OHL Kitchener, is here now as well.

 

Spaling’s been in town for a few days since being assigned by parent club Nashville. In practice, it’s hard not to have my eyes drawn to him. It’s only practice but he looks so smooth and polished. I don’t think I’d be exaggerating if I said nearly 40% of his shots are in the net. Every shot he’s taking seems to have a purpose. He’s not just flinging the puck at the goalie’s pads, he’s trying to score…and he is scoring. He’s reminding me of a faster Kris Beech. You’ll remember Beech as one of the Admirals top scorers in 2005-06 before he was dealt to Washington for defenseman Brendan Witt. Beech looked to me like the game slowed down for him. He was such a gifted AHL player. I see that in practice with Nick.

 

I don’t expect Spaling to be here all season. He’s too well-versed in coveted roles for NHL teams. I do expect this season, his third professional season, to be the one where he breaks out offensively.

 

Moving on…

 

Former Admirals center Ben Guite was assigned to AHL Springfield today by Columbus.

 

Last week I listed several people to follow on Twitter. I missed a very good one: @SLakePreds. He’s been doing a great job covering training camp in Nashville.

 

Tonight on Milwaukee Admirals Center Ice on Sportsradio 1250 WSSP, our guests are head coach Lane Lambert, G.M. Paul Fenton, Liz Cahill from Lee Jeans and new Predators beat writer Josh Cooper of The Tennessean. Listen at 6 pm. There will be a Thursday edition of the show, too.

 

I leave you with a great all-around athlete, former Milwaukee Sea Gulls forward Eddie Leier.