Lanigan Lands Camp Invite

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There were a lot of surprised people on Saturday when Edmonton Oil Kings netminder Cam Lanigan didn't get picked up in the NHL Entry Draft. The Calgary product was ranked 9th in North America by NHL Central Scouting but did not hear his name called out although several goalies rated lower than he was did get selected.

Some Oiler fans suggested that the Oil Kings netminder might be worth inviting to prospect camp for a closer look. The Pipeline Show has learned that Lanigan has indeed received an invite to a summer camp for a NHL team and that he will indeed be attending it.

Oilers Prospect Camp Invite List

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Next week the Edmonton Oilers will be holding their annual summer prospect camp and this year's list of players is a mixed bag of newly drafted players, guys who have been with the organization for a while now and also a trio of un-drafted free agents. The team is expected to release the camp roster in the next day or so but The Pipeline Show was able to obtain a partial copy ahead of time.

Oil Kings Draft Twice - add Oiler Pick

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The Edmonton Oil Kings have made their two CHL Import Draft selections and have added a Czech defenceman and a Latvian forward to the team, the latter having been chosen by the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL Draft over the weekend. The two newest Oil Kings are blueliner Marek Hrbas and winger Kristians Pelss.

GM Bob Green will join Guy Flaming on The Pipeline Show this evening to discuss the newest members of the organization.

Cougars Take Oiler #1 in Import Draft

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As talked about on the TEAM 1260 during the Saturday portion of the extensive 2010 NHL Draft coverage, the Prince George Cougars have selected Martin Marincin with the 1st overall pick in the CHL Import Draft.

Marincin was chosen in the 2nd round, 46th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers who drafted a total of 11 players of which 7 will play in the WHL next season including the newest member of the Cougars.

TPS Draft Review

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Well, our favourite time of the year has come and gone, as NHL teams have restocked the cupboard with fresh young faces, dreaming of playing in the NHL. How many of these kids will actually make it? Not a lot, but they'll all be given a chance. Here's some names that stick out for me.

Things you hear on draft day

Only a few more hours now before we know who comes out on top, Tyler or Taylor. But there are so many other interesting stories in round one and beyond.

The biggest wild card of the first round has to be Brett Connolly. He put up 30 goals as a 16 year old, but played only 16 games (putting up 19 points) because of a reoccurring hip injury. Scouts have told me if Connolly was healthy this year, he would be challenging Hall and Seguin for the top spot. So Connolly's potential is top 3, but his injury might drop him out of the top 5. Not the top 10 though. I'm told Florida has informed the Connolly camp they will be taking a defenceman, most likely Eric Gudbranson. Tampa Bay is calling the Prince George Cougars every hour it seems, trying to get a health update. Just in case he broke his hip getting out of the shower???? So the Lightning really like him. Atlanta didn't fly Connolly in for a visit, but the Minnesota Wild did, and have told the Prince George Cougar he won't get passed him if he's available. Meaning the free fall, if it happens, will end at 9.

Kirill Kabanov was on with Neilson and Chase this morning on the TEAM 1260 live from LA. It was interesting that he said one of his former agents (he's on his 3rd this year) told him to leave Moncton for the Russian Under 18 team. I have it on good authority that his father is the one who advised him to do this. Dmitry Chesnekov of yahoosports.com joined TPS recently and said compared to Kabanov's fathers, Carl Lindros might be father of the year.

Will Beau Bennett become a Predator. I know one of their scouts is pushing really hard for Nashville to take him. I guess we'll see what kind of influence he has. The scout has been able to suggest some gems in the past for Nashville.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have been desperate for a centre for a long time. Today on Nielson and Chase, CBJ beat writer Aaron Portzline said Columbus might trade down. If so, would Portland's Ryan Johanssen be worth dropping down for? He finished 2nd on team scoring this year, and led them in post season points, putting up 2 more then Nino Niederriter. Johanssen has great vision and is a set up man with size. When he bulks up he could be a force with Rick Nash in a few years.

Can't wait for it all to go down. Guy and I along with Corey Graham will be your hosts for The Pipeline Show Draft Day coverage, starting at 5 pm mst on the TEAM 1260 in Edmonton, where you can also listen online.

Moving Targets

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It's the day that Oiler fans have been waiting for since April when the NHL Draft Lottery officially gave the franchise its first ever 1st overall daft pick. While the answer to Taylor vs Tyler will finally be decided tonight, some fans want to know who else the team might be coveting. As in years past, I've done by own due diligence and here are a smattering of names that I think will be of significance to the Edmonton Oilers.

Does Tambellini have the stones to make a deal on the draft floor?

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When Kevin Lowe was G.M. of the Oilers he never seemed to have trouble making a quick decision on a deal. 2007 he moved up to take Riley Nash. He had no problem giving up a first round pick in 2006 to bring in Dwayne Roloson. The future of the Oilers certainly rests with whoever is drafted first overall today, but another big part of the future could depend on if current G.M. Steve Tambellini can make a quick decisison, something I'm told doesn't happen very often. If team X calls up the Oilers and wants to deal a pick for a player, or other picks, and Tambellini has to make a call on the spot...can he do it?

Past evidence that has been presented to me suggest no. From different sources across the league, here's what I've gathered from past deals the General Manager has and hasn't made.

2010 TPS Mock Draft

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When we offered up the summary from the team-by-team 2010 draft previews last Saturday we mentioned that our official mock draft would come out in a few days. It's now the eve of the big day and so the time has come.

The first thing you'll notice, if you compare our mock draft with the draft previews, is that a bunch of the names are in different order. Obviously, as we explained, that's because the draft previews were set in stone at the end of May and there have been a lot of changes and a lot of information since then. Because of that it just makes sense that our mock would reflect our opinions and interpretations for what they are today.

That said, here is the 2010 TPS Mock Draft...

Fraser An Oiler-Are Nash and Pouliot on their way out?

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According to Bob Stauffer (Oilers radio network/Oilers lunch, 1-3 pm on The TEAM 1260) and Dan Tencer (Oilers radio network) Edmonton has picked up Colin Fraser for a 6th round pick.

Which 6th round pick it is, I'm not sure as the team has 3 of them.

As for Fraser, I watched him play when I worked in Red Deer. Then he was a Rebels top line 2 way centreman with some grit who played on one of the greatest World Junior team's ever, 2005 North Dakota. It likely helped that the head coach of team Canada was also the head coach in Red Deer...Brent Sutter.

He's turned into a scrappy, smart, dependable player that can centre the 3rd or 4th line and win his fair share of draws, something the Oilers really lacked last year.

He hasn't played a lot of playoff games in the last 2 years, but suited up quite a bit in the regular season. Fraser is a versatile player, but is still learning to hone is aggression and react at the proper times.