Rookie Watch: Ottawa Senators

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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, spotlighting a rookie or two to watch for this season. This afternoon we explore the freshmen candidates of the Ottawa Senators.

Tuesday Night Recap

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Tonight Guy and I recapped the NHL draft, from Anaheim to Winnipeg and everything in between. Also, which guys weren't picked but will be coming to an NHL training camp near you this fall?

Blue Jackets Prospect Snap Shot

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The Blue Jackets are in year 10 of their existence which has seen two General Managers and 6 coaches. Columbus held the first overall pick once, taking Rick Nash in 2002, and have selected inside the top ten for their first 9 drafts. Columbus has made the playoffs just once, which means they have been extremely underwhelming considering the draft picks they’ve had.

Here now are some of those picks in recent year...

One on One: Kirill Kabanov

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He hasn't played in two months and Central scouting dropped him in their mid-term rankings to the middle of the 1st round but I still think that on draft day 2010... Kirill Kabanov will be the first Russian name put on the board.

Each week on The Pipeline Show we make a point of introducing another 2010 draft eligible player to the masses and this week's guest was Moncton's sensational import, Kirill Kabanov (Listen HERE). We talked about the injury, how it happened, should it have been handled differently, his relationship with the Russian Hockey Federation and especially head coach Vladimir Plyuschev and how Nikita Filatov's playing in the KHL might impact the Russian draft class of 2010.

Hitchcock Takes High Road on Filatov

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The head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets is under duress with the situation his team is in right now considering the NHL standings. With the team in town to face the equally struggling Edmonton Oilers, The Pipeline Show was on hand to follow up the story originally broken by Dean Millard earlier this week while covering the World Junior Championship in Saskatoon.

Today I asked coach Ken Hitchcock to comment on his relationship with Russian prospect Nikita Filatov and the comments the player made in regards to his future with the team. Unlike the player, Hitchcock was not willing to close the door on the situation and one could almost suggest he has extended an olive branch to the organization's top prospect.

Filatov might not be "Hitch-ing" a ride back to Columbus next year

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After Russia lost it's second straight game Monday night at the World Junior Championship, giving them a disappointing 6th place finish, their star player dropped a few bombs when speaking about his future in the NHL.

Nikita Filatov, who should have been one of the top 3 scorers in the tournament, finished outside of the top 29 scorers with 6 points in 6 games and it sounded like he might be finished with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Top 5 Tuesdays: 2009 WJC Moments

There's no question that the now completed World Junior Championships had some amazing moments ranging from goals, saves, controversy, disappointments and utter joy. So many in fact that narrowing it down to 5 might be pretty tough to do but here's a list of memories that will last for me.

5. Jaroslav Janus VS USA

TSN's Pierre McGuire called it "Slovakia's 1980" comparing it to the Miracle on Ice from the Olympics where American college kids beat the juggernaut Soviet Red Army team. I wouldn't go that far, especially since Slovakia does have a World Hockey Championship to their credit, but the upset win over USA in this tournament was definitely memorable.

But let's be honest here; the only reason USA didn't crush the Slovaks was because of the unbelievable performance of netminder Jaroslav Janus. Tomas Tatar was fun to watch (not a big fan of the showboating but the skill is obvious) and Milan Kytnar represented the Oilers well but it was the Janus Show that got Slovakia past USA.


4. Dustin Tokarski VS Colin Wilson

At one point during the epic New Year's Eve match between Canada and USA the teams had scored on half of the shots they'd taken. It wasn't a very good game for either Dustin Tokarski or Thomas McCollum for the first 30 minutes. However, the difference in the contest, and arguably the tournament, is that Tokarski eventually found his game while McCollum never did.

The Spokane Chiefs rode 'Tick' to a WHL championship and a Memorial Cup title last year so the Saskatchewan kid had proven himself in big games. That's why he got the nod against the Americans and when he made this ridiculous steal against Colin Wilson you knew he'd be Pat Quinn's guy the rest of the way.


3. John Tavares VS USA

It was a wildly entertaining game between USA and Canada but it certainly got off to a rocky start for the home fans. Down 3-0 it wasn't looking good for Canada, especially because of how well the Americans had been playing in the tournament up to that point. Canada hadn't faced any adversity coming into the game and I made the prediction on TPS the night before that the Americans would win on New Year's Eve.

When John Tavares scored the first Canadian goal and the fans erupted you had to have gotten the sense that the game was far from over. What makes this next goal clip so key is that not only is the goal and absolute beauty but it came immediately on the heels of last one. Momentum immediately shifted completely in Canada's direction and with the added adrenaline thanks to the melee at the benches, it seemed like just a matter of time before Canada would even the score.


2. Mattias Tedenby VS Slovakia

He's tiny but he's as shifty and skilled as they come. The New Jersey Devils get heaps of praise for their record at the NHL draft, more than I think they deserve, but they had to have been smiling when they saw Tedenby deke his way through the entire Slovak team and the marching band on the field to set up this one. In the running for my Goal of the Tournament:


1. Jordan Eberle VS Russia

I don't think there is any doubt about it but the semi-final game between Canada and Russia will go down in history as one of the most memorable and entertaining ones in WJC history. It's definitely on par with the CAN/USA shootout in 2007 but I'm not sure if history will rank it above or below the CAN/RUS thriller of 1991.

A see-saw battle between traditional hockey rivals, Canada and Russia waged an exciting tug-of-war on ice that seemed to be over when Dmitri Klopov scored to put Russia ahead 5-4 with just over two minutes to play. What ensued was a frantic attempt by Canada to even ths score and a costly error by Russian forward Nikita Klyukin to go for the empty net that set up the last 30 seconds of the game...


Despite Pierre McGuire labelling the goal as "Tavares' Magical Play', I agree with my co-host Dean Millard who says that it was Ryan Ellis who deserves way more credit for his job in keeping in the clearing attempt of Nikita Filatov. The shootout would follow with goals by Tavares and Eberle but I'll remember the shootout for one other reason: The inexcusable decision by Russian head coach Sergei Nemchinov to not use his most talented player. We see it in the NHL all the time, coaches like Craig MacTavish waiting until the 3rd shooter to use their best player (Ales Hemsky) and in Nemchinov's case it came back to bite him in the ass.

This picture sums it all up for me as I try to imagine the thoughts going through Filatov's head as he lays on the ice. Is he thinking about his failed clearing attempt with 20 seconds to go? Is he wondering, like Gretzky in 1998, how he doesn't get a chance in the shootout? I wonder....

A fantastic WJC that set a new attendance record and captured the attention of the junior hockey world for 31 games. I'm already looking forward to Saskatoon and Regina next year!

Top 5 Tuesdays: AHL Stories to Watch

I was recently checking ou the AHL's official website and seeing which of my keeper league players were playing well and who wasn't when I came across several interesting items that I felt were worth keeping an eye on this year.

Here now are my top 5 AHL stories of interest that I'm going to follow as I'm not sure how they will end.

5. Jesse Joensuu – The big Finn was highly touted early on in his draft year but by June of 2006 his stock had fallen so far that the NYI eventually selected him at the end of the 2nd round (60th overall). A lot of Euros in his situation may have been content staying back home but give credit where its due; Joensuu is now in Bridgeport - can the 6’4, 210 lb forward reach the potential many had initially expected? So far he’s got 7 points in 13 games.

4. Russians in Syracuse – Maxim Mayorov and Nikita Filatov are bucking the stereotype of Russians who aren’t willing to come over and play in the AHL. Thus far the pair have 17 points together and are a +4. Can the yougn Russians keep their hot start going or will they fizzle out like many Europeans do in their first North American season, around Christmas time when they've got 35-40 games under their belt? Keep in mind that in Europe, they play much lighter schedules.

3. Johnny Boychuck was once a top prospect for the Colorado Avalanche who drafted him in the 2nd round of 2002. After a strong WHL career in Calgary and Moose Jaw he was a bust with the Aves organization. He was dealt to Boston and is now ripping it up for their farm team the Providence Bruins. Boychuck, now a more mature 24-year-old, has 15 points so far which is tied for tops amongst AHL blueliners. Is this a case of a late bloomer, lighting in a bottle or just a guy who needed a change of scenery and is making the most of it?

2. Remember Danny Syvret? The Edmonton Oilers drafted him as a 20-year-old after a fantastic season with the London Knights but he soon disappeared into obscurity in the minors. He was so bad that Edmonton willingly lent him to play in the Spengler Cup just to try and kick start his flatlining career. Last summer he was traded to Philly for Ryan Potulny, well this year he’s leading the AHL in blueline scoring (tied with Boychuck) with 15 points. The Phantoms seem to have rejuvenated his career as he leads the team in scoring as well. 2 months ago, Oiler fans didn't even care that Syvret had been dealt. It will be interesting to see who goes on to have a better career now - Syvret or Potulny.

1. Pint sized power in Portland – Tim Kennedy and Nate Gerbe may have butted heads at the 2007 NCAA National title game between Michigan State and Boston College but are teammates now with the Buffalo Sabres AHL affiliate. Together the pair is ripping it up on the farm and have combined for 32 points. Both forwards are of the 'highly offensive but tiny' variety. Gerbe barely tips the scales at 5'6 and 160 lbs while Kennedy checks in at 5'10 and 170 lbs. With the way they are playing one has to wonder what will come first – a reality check or a promotion to the NHL?

Definitely worth keeping tabs on!

Top 5 Tuesdays: 5 Youngest NHLers

Sam Gagner, born August 10th of 1989, was the youngest player in the NHL for the 2007-08 season and that's still younger than any of this season's rookies who were all born prior to August. Still, it is interesting to note that 3 of the youngest skaters in the NHL this season are defencemen, not what most people would expect. Here now are the 5 youngest players in the NHL at the start of the 2008-09 season.

5. Alex Pietrangelo D - St. Louis Blues
Born: January 18, 1990

The fourth player chosen in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft last June, Pietrangelo played three games before getting hurt with the ever-vague 'upper body injury'. He's expected to be out until early next month. The 6'2, 206 lb, blueliner didn't register a point in any of those games but did play a fair amount: (14:01, 15:54 and 19:30). The injury to Erik Johnson was a blow to the organization this year but it definitely opened a door for the former Mississauga/Niagara IceDog.

4. Luca Sbisa D - Philadelphia Flyers
Born: January 30, 1990

He's the best thing from Switzerland since chocolate and he's taken to Philly like a Cuckoo to a clock. The Lethbridge Hurricanes would love to have Sbisa back but probably shouldn't hold their breath. Sbisa has 2 points through 8 games with the Flyers but is playing in a top-4 role as the team deals with some injuries but also looks for offence. His ice time is contiually hovering in the 17-20 minute range and he's being asked to play well above his tender years might suggest he's ready for. But... he's how old again??

3. Steven Stamkos C - Tampa Bay Lightning
Born: February 7, 1990

The talk about Stamkos has been the lack of minutes he's been getting. Stealing a joke from Corey Graham... remember the 'Seen Stamkos?' promo ads that the Lighting were running in the summer? Well the fans are starting to ask the same thing and it's not in a positive way. Stamkos, the odds on favorite on every list to be the Calder Trophy winner this year, has zero points after 7 games and has played as little as 6:05 one night. No points for the poster boy has got to be a concern and although I highly doubt he gets sent back to Sarnia... someone somewhere is asking if it might be for the best.

2. Nikita Filatov LW - Columbus Blue Jackets
Born: May 25, 1990



He's got a goal and he hasn't even played over ten minutes in a game, in fact his ice time is dwindling as time goes on. Last time out against New York he played juse under 3 minutes... those are minutes usually reserved for knuckle chuckers, not budding superstars.

1. Zach Bogosian D - Atlanta Thrashers
Born: July 15, 1990

The youngest player in the NHL this year is the blueliner from Massena, NY. The 3rd overall pick of the Thrashers, Bogosian was expected by many as one of the leading candidates to make a quck jump to the NHL. He doesn't have any points yet in Atlanta but like Pietrangelo and Sbisa, Bogosian is playing a bunch of minutes usually in the 13:30-16:30 range. The Thrashers site indicates that he's partners with Mathieu Schneider so you have to think some good things are going to happen for Bogosian sooner or later if that duo stays together.

It's interesting to note that Sam Gagner is still the 12th youngest player in the NHL...

Ranking blatanly stolen from Mirtle.

A Filatov Friday Night

I know, I know, you didn't need any more reason to watch Columbus take on Nashville tonight in the Blue Jackets home opener. But just in case, here's a real good reason to check out the game if you have the NHL centre Ice package.



Nikita Filatov will make his NHL regular season debut. Thanks to a neck injury to Jared Boll, the Jackets have called up Filatov from Syracuse, where he had scored in each of his first 2 AHL games. Filatov isn't big on size -laughingly listed at 6.00 and 177 lbs, maybe with his equipment on - but he has a large amount of talent and enthusiasm. Great wheels, a sizzling shot, and tremendous vision.



One NHL scout before last June's draft said his zest for the game is comparable to Alexander Ovechkins. He doesn't have Ovechkin's skill level, but he's not far behind as he showed at last year's World Junior Championship, putting up 9 points in 7 games for Russia, which was good enough for 2nd in tournament scoring behind American James van Riemsdyk.

The Pipeline Show interviewed Filatov from Russia last year, just before the draft, thanks to his school teaching Mother, he speaks pretty good English. It was the first North American radio interview for the top rated European heading into the draft, and while Filatov had to wait for 4 blueliners to get selected before he was taken 6th overall by Columbus, I think he'll end up as the top player from the 2008 draft not named Steven Stamkos.



I'm not sure if he'll equal Fabian Brunnstrom's debut with a hatty or not, but the 9th player from the 2008 draft to make his debut this year should dazzle fans a few times. To me he's a smaller version of Ilya Kovalchuk, who told us when we asked him whether he preferred to pass or shoot, said, I prefer to pass into the net. That plan should please Blue Jacket fans.

Rumblings, Bumblings and Stuff...

It's funny how the off-season often produces some of the best stories out there but I guess when you consider that it's during the summer that most changes in the hockey world take place... it shouldn't be that surprising.

There are bunch of things circulating, some no more than speculation while others are pretty sound. One such item that appears to be pretty solid has to do with Springfield where the AHL Falcons have called a press conference for Tuesday afternoon. I'm still looking for official Oiler confirmation but a source out East has indicated to me that it is regarding the coaching position. If that is the case (and not another season ticket sales update) then expect Jeff Truitt to be formally announced that day as the new bench boss on the farm. I do know that Kevin Prendergast will be in Springfield for the presser so it certainly appears to be lining up that way.



Wondering what is going to happen with Rob Daum since it's but a formality that Kelly Buchberger moves up to the NHL for next season? I ran into Daum at Oilers prospect camp last week, a pleasant surprise to see a him there despite the way he's been cast aside. I also talked with him on Tuesday during the TEAM 1260 golf tournament. He's obviously pretty tight-lipped about what he and the Oilers are talking about but I can confirm that the position offered to Daum is that of a pro scout. I'm also hearing that he'd have the greenlight to pursue a coaching opportunity elsewhere if one came his way and if you've been listening to Total Sports with Bob Stauffer... doesn't Detroit make sense with Mike Babcock now in need of a new assistant?



Regan Bartel is one of the most respected guys around the WHL so when he speculates on something, it's probably more than just idle chit-chat. On May 26th he blogged an interesting tidbit on Kelowna Rockets' forward Milan Kytnar suggesting he might be in tough for a spot on the roster next season. Here's the original post by Bartel who you should know is also the voice of the Rockets on their broadcasts. I wonder if there is a WHL team that would has room for an import, a need to upgrade penalty killing and their ability to keep goals against down? The Edmonton Oil Kings fit the bill but with a high pick in the CHL Import Draft later this month they might have their eyes on a more offensive player to help in that department. The fact that Kytnar is also an Oiler prospect makes it even more interesting but far from a sure thing.



It was a good month for Alex Plante who impressed the brass at prospect camp after a 3-week stint of training in California with Chad Moreau. Plante needs to improve his mobility and his strength and while the former will be a longer process it is simple to see how the 19-year-old has matured physically. Thicker in the neck, through his upper body and defnitely stronger in his legs, Plante has dedicated himself to getting back on the right track after a tough year in Calgary.

And speaking of Plante and the Hitmen, rumors are swirling that the 19-year-old might be available this summer as Calgary heads towards a rebuild. One source told me that Plante's camp were disappointed with the way he'd lost his spot last year due to injury and another source described the situation to me by saying "he became a whipping boy for [head coach Kelly] Kisio". IF the rumor is true that Plante is available, expect his hometown Brandon Wheat Kings to be front runners in trying to nab him from Calgary.

Draft tidbits

As Dean mentioned on our last show, the Toronto Maple Leafs seem to be extremely interested in Kyle Beach of the Everett Silvertips. Would a team in such disarray really roll the dice on a player who some believe is a ticking timebomb? Well both Millard and I are believers that Beach's upside outweighs his troubled past and we both have him going in the top 11 in our mock draft although neither of us have him going to the Leafs...



Another interesting one, and you might have to file this under 'C' for 'Conspiracy Theory'... Zac Dalpe was drafted as an overager by the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL. But why? He's already publicly committed to the NCAA program with the Ohio State Buckeyes right? Well, and here's the conspiracy theory, what would happen if the Carolina Hurricanes drafted him with the 14th overall pick (or moved down and did it)? Some have suggested that Dalpe would then bolt for the OHL and play with Plymouth. What's the connection? Peter Karmanos owns the Hurricanes and the Whalers. Things that make you go Hmmmmmmm...

Two players who seem to be getting some momentum as the draft gets closer are Colin Wilson and John Carlson. Wilson wowed the NHL onlookers at the combines where his dedication to personal training paid off. His team interviews also went well as TPS expected after he was a homerun interview on our show a couple weeks back. He's got the bloodline going for him, a great attitude and is considered one of the guys who could be closest to NHL ready. He'll be gone in the top 12.

Carlson's stock went up when he made it public that he was jumping ship from the NCAA to the OHL; instead of playing at UMass next year he's headed for the London Knights. Now I've had plenty of hockey people express concern about the way players develop in London (stellar junior success, not so much on the preperation for the next level) but it's seen as a step up from the Hockey East program which takes a back seat to Maine, Boston College, Boston Univesity and New Hampshire in that conference. Carlson was considered a late first rounder before but looks more like a mid round pick now.

One last one... in case you haven't heard yet, Nikita Filatov granted The Pipeline Show with the first North American radio interview of his career. Dean and I spoke with the future star for about 12 minutes and you'll be able to hear that interview in its entirety on Tuesday's show. Who does he think will draft him? How much are teams in Russia's new Kontinental Hockey League trying to keep him at home? Would he play in the CHL next year? Hear it from the man himself next week.