The AHL announced the players selected to the 2025 All-Star Roster this year, featuring a number of top prospects and other players with NHL pedigree. Among them was Nashville Predators forward Vinnie Hinostroza.
Hinostroza, 30, is a journeyman forward with 10 years of NHL experience between six different franchises. The former Chicago Blackhawks draft pick signed a two-year, $1.55 million contract with the Predators on the third day of free agency on July 3 and has spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL.
Appearing in 26 games for the Milwaukee Admirals this season, Hinostroza has racked up 11 goals, 22 assists, and 33 points.
The Predators called Hinostroza up to the NHL on Dec. 28; he has played in five consecutive games for Nashville, recording one assist.
Hinostroza has scored 54 goals, 98 assists, and 152 points in 379 career regular season games at the NHL level.
Joining Hinostroza on the AHL All-Star Roster is Admirals goalie Matt Murray, not to be confused with two-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Murray, who is also playing in the AHL but with the Toronto Marlies.
Murray, 26, is an undrafted goalie who spent the last three seasons in the Dallas Stars organization, appearing in four NHL games and posting a 2-2-0 record.
Murray signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Predators worth $775k on July 3, adding some stability in net for an Admirals team that needed it.
Overall, the former UMass standout is 9-4-6 in the AHL this season with a 2.09 GAA and a .932 save percentage.
Hinostroza and Murray will represent the Central Division, which also features Scott Morrow, Ryan Suzuki, Sebastian Cossa, former Predators forward Austin Watson, Liam Ohgren, Elias Salomonsson, Frank Nazar, Lian Bichsel, Justin Hryckowian, and Curtis McKenzie.
Another former Predators player who notably made the cut this year is San Jose Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov, who has now taken over as a starting goalie at the NHL level.
Prior to replacing the traded MacKenzie Blackwood and the injured Vitek Vanecek, Askarov appeared in 14 games for the San Jose Barracuda, earning a 9-4-2 record to the tune of a sizzling 2.00 GAA, .938 save percentage, and three shutouts.
Oh, and remember Samuel Fagemo? He was in Nashville for a cup of coffee last season, recording an assist in four games. Fagemo, back with the Ontario Reign, will be joining Askarov thanks to his 18 goals, seven assists, and 25 points in 29 games.
Former prospect Jeremy Davies, who played all but one of his 23 NHL games with the Predators, will be an AHL All-Star this year, representing the Ottawa Senators organization with the Belleville Senators.
Lastly, former San Jose sixth-round pick John Leonard, the older brother of Ryan Leonard who played since games with the Predators in 2022-23, made the All-Star Roster on behalf of the Florida Panthers’ Charlotte Checkers.
Visit The Hockey News Nashville Predators team site to stay updated on the latest Predators news, game day coverage, player features, podcasts, and more.
Read the full article here
Discussion about this post