The Nashville Predators were left without a place for their minor-league players to play after on Monday they announced that their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals would sit out the 2020-21 season due to strict COVID-19 restrictions in Wisconsin. After only three days, it appears the Predators will join forces with the Carolina Hurricanes after reaching an agreement to send their minor-league players to the Chicago Wolves.

"We want to thank the Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Wolves organizations for the opportunity to partner with them for this coming season," Predators Director of Player Development and Admirals General Manager Scott Nichol said. "With our players skating for Chicago in the AHL and others competing in European leagues and with the ECHL's Florida Everblades, we are confident about where our prospects will continue their development during this unprecedented season. We look forward to resuming our relationship with the Admirals in the 2021-22 campaign."

The Chicago Wolves, who are entering their first season as the Hurricanes AHL affiliate, will be playing in Central Division during the 2020-21 season. The Central Division will consist of the Chicago Wolves (CAR/NSH), Cleveland Monsters (CLB), Grand Rapids Griffins (DET), Iowa Wild (MIN), Rockford IceHogs (CHI), and Texas Stars (DAL).

The AHL season will get underway on February 5th with 28 of the 31 teams participating. To reduce travel, the AHL temporarily realigned the divisions for the 2020-21 season. The 28 teams were place in five divisions.

Atlantic: Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI), Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR), Providence Bruins (BOS).

Canadian: Belleville Senators (OTT), Laval Rocket (MTL), Manitoba Moose (WPG), Toronto Marlies (TOR).

Central: Mentioned above.

North: Binghamton Devils (NJD), Hershey Bears (WSH), Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI), Rochester Americans (NYR), Syracuse Crunch (TBL/FLA), Utica Comets (VAN/STL), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT).

Pacific: Bakersfield Condors (EDM), Colorado Eagles (COL), Henderson Silver Knights (VGK), Ontario Reign (LAK), San Diego Gulls (ANA), San Jose Barracuda (SJS), Stockton Heat (CAL), Tucson Roadrunners (ARI).

Source: Nashville Predators

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