One To Watch: Tampa Bay Lightning

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It probably surprised a lot of people when the Lighting sent 1st round pick Jonathan Drouin back to junior a few weeks ago. I think that it's a positive reflection of where the franchise is though, that a young player as uber-talented as he is, even Drouin couldn't crack this year's roster. That's a good thing. 

It's equally encouraging to see the roster and note a few players who have worked their way into the NHL through the team's AHL development system; another sign that the organization is doing things the right way. Alex Killorn, Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Richard Panik and Radko Gudas are prime examples of that type of success. 

2012 Choice: Nikita Kucherov - The talented Russian had a strong season in the QMJHL after overcoming an injury and a trade from the Quebec Remparts to Rouyn-Noranda. It was then pretty poetic that Kucherov's 6-point night eliminated Patrick Roy's Remparts from the playoffs. This year Kucherov is on the farm in Syrachuse and already producing at well over a point per game pace. 

My 2013-14 selection as One To Watch for Tampa Bay comes after the jump.  

WHL Deadline Day Done

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Who improved the most? You tell us by voting on our poll questions here. A handful of teams made big time upgrades but most teams decided that what they had was good enough. Or at least good enough for them not to pay reported extremely high prices.

WHL Deadline nears

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The annual 'get traded while you're at the World Junior Hockey Championship' shuffle doesn't happen any more.

Gone are the days of Steve Mason going from London to Kitchener on the same day he was beating the U.S.A in the semi-final or Brad Marchand the same year who knew before Canada's training camp that he was going to be dealt to Halifax at some point. Some in the hockey world have told TPS there is an unofficial trade freeze for players taking part in the World Junior Championship and Under-17 events.

But that doesn't mean you can't talk trade, kick tires or make an offer and it sounds like several teams are doing that while others seem to be standing pat.

Red Vs. White Vs. Connolly

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Team Canada's inter squad game Monday night produced only one goal that beat a goalie, but plenty of hits and one injury. One returning player may have knocked another out of the tournament. Or Quinton Howden will be ok and able to fill a huge roll for Canada starting Boxing Day in Edmonton. Either way Brett Connolly seems to be taking a lot of heat right now.

Team Canada Camp Day 2

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The brass for Team Canada decided to give the players the morning off from on ice activities. Some are healing bumps and bruises while others aren't yet able to skate. Another reason is that most guys played Friday night before jetting to Calgary on Saturday. Here are some notes from the media availability before tonight's 2nd inter squad game.

Smith-Pelly & Connolly News: Great for Canada and Maybe Prince George Too

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Kevin Prendergast and the coaching staff for Team Canada received 2 early presents Thursday night when it was announced by Anaheim and Tampa Bay that Devante Smith-Pelly and Brett Connolly would be loaned to the Canadian World Junior team.

Connolly now a Former Prince George Cougar

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The 9 game struck and Brett Connolly was still around the Tampa Bay dressing room as the Lightning made it official, Brett Connolly had made their club. Once he plays his 10th NHL game (Thursday vs. Nashville) a year of his contract will kick in. Tuesday night we had Al Bristowe from PGTV on the show to discuss whether or not Connolly would stick, and recently Guy wrote a piece about decision time for NHL teams.

9 Games In; Who Stays and Who Goes?

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are the first team in the NHL to hit the nine game point of the season. The Pens are the only team as a matter of fact but the rest of the league will have caught up to them in the next couple of days. And that's when it gets interesting for a number of rookies around the NHL.

By my count there are 15 players left who could theoretically be sent to the CHL. Many of the 15 are definitely not headed that way as they have come from Europe or NCAA and so would either be assigned to the AHL or simply return overseas.

Still, here's a quick rundown of the 15 players to watch and whether I think they get the red tag in their locker or not.

TPS Predictions: Calder Trophy

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Tuesday night on TPS we pulled out the Crystal Square and gazed deep into it for some predictions. We welcomed in Rogers Sportsnets Jamie Thomas (jamie_thomas71 on Twitter) to find out who will come out on top in the race to be the rookie of the year.

Last year I don't remember anyone having Jeff Skinner, Logan Couture and Michael Grabner in their final three, and this year things could be even more wide open. There are so many surprises in NHL training camps, (Guy has a rundown here) that someone might pick a player to win the Calder that others don't think will even play a full season. That actually is the case with Guy's pick.

Rookie Watch: Tampa Bay Lightning

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Each day until September 15th TPS will take a look at one team from the Eastern Conference and one club from the West and spotlight a few rookies to watch for this season. This afternoon we explore the potential first year guys for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Cougars/Americans Goalie Swap

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A deal today in the WHL that sees the Tri-City Americans and Prince George Cougars swapping goaltenders. The Americans have acquired Ty Rimmer and a 2012 rd plus 2013 5th round pick while sending 20-year-old Drew Owsley and a conditional 7th in 2013 to the Cougars.

Saturday Morning Special - July 23rd

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Back from the 3rd annual TPS Invitational Golf Tournament in Jasper, we were happy to be joined by three live guests but also selected 3 highlight interviews from the first 6 seasons of The Pipeline Show. We spoke with a top prospect who was recently involved in a major NHL trade, we chatted with the voice of another CHL team and also heard from a new media contact south of the border about the ramifications of the NCHC.

We opened our vault and picked a trio of must-listen conversations we had in the past, two with Hall of Famers looking back at their junior days and another spotlighting an infamous moment during the 1987 World Junior Championship.

Saturday Morning Special - July 16th

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This morning on TPS we spoke with 5 guests and pushed our charity auction total to over $5000 as we raised more funds to help the victims of the fire and flooding in Slave Lake. It was the third opportunity for fans and listeners to get in on the action, to help out some folks in need and to come out of it with some pretty neat stuff.

WHL Playoff Notes:Rebels grab 2-0 lead

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Ryan Nugent-Hopkins wasn't the main story on Saturday night, but he did get the party started for fans at the Enmax Centrium. RNH and Andrej Kudrna picked up Saturday where Friday ended with Nugent-Hopkins 3rd straight goal going back to game 1. After that the Oil Kings did a pretty good job of shutting down and targeting physically the budding star for most of the night. It was Brett Ferguson and Adam Kabeitz who did the damage instead. Both had 3 points as the Rebels grabbed a 2-0 lead in the series. The shots were even at 28, but that was about it, as Edmonton's power play is sputtering. It's 0-9 in the two games and only has clicked once all season vs. Red Deer. The Series shifts to Edmonton for game 3 Monday night (TEAM 1260, SHAW TV)

Cougars/Oil Kings Tilt Lives Up To Hype - Wild Comeback And More

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Earlier today we gave you a number of reasons why attending the Prince George-Edmonton game at Rexall would be entertaining. A number of them happened as well as some other wild action in a 6-5 come from behind win for Edmonton.

Top 5 Tuesday: Why You Should Watch Cougars/Oil Kings Tonight

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Tonight the Edmonton Oil Kings play host to the Prince George Cougars at Rexall Place. It's a game that you should try to get to if you're a fan of entertainment and future stars of the NHL. It's also a pretty important game for both teams who sit 6th in their respective conferences. Here now are 5 reasons you should check it out.

Wall To Wall World Junior Month Begins

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Tuesday night we kicked off our extensive World Junior Hockey Championship, a day before December starts. Starting Tuesday and running right through and after one of the best tournament's in the world we'll get you primed and ready for the event taking place in Buffalo starting on Boxing Day. From players to coaches to analysts, you won't find a better source for information. Time to dive in...

NCAA Rule Gets Failing Grade:The Taylor Stefishen Story

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Taylor Stefishen was hoping to graduate from Ohio State University at the age of 21 with a degree in financial planning. Ironically, his plan won’t happen apparently because of finances.

However his consolation prize is pretty good; Getting to play on a line with a 6th overall NHL pick as a point-per-game player.

We’ll get to that part of his life in a second, but first here’s how the North Vancouver product became a Prince George Cougar of the WHL.

Cougars and Oil Kings Wild West Shoot Out

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The Prince George Cougars and Edmonton Oil Kings have a lot in common, so it wasn't surprising that it took 64 minutes, 59.9 seconds to decide things at Rexall Place Monday afternoon in an 8-7 sloppy but entertaining contest.

Top 5 Tuesday: WHL Predictions

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The hockey season is now here in the CHL with all 3 leagues underway. So it's time to bring back Top 5 Tuesday's. Today I will stick my neck out with some predictions for the current WHL season. Enjoy.