Top 5 Tuesday - 5 Rookies/5 Leagues

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There are a number of rookies who are turning heads all over North America. Here are 5 guys from different leagues and levels who are off to a great start as we near December. Some are known, others will be some day soon.

Saturday Morning Special - Oct 23

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The latest 'Gameday' version of TPS over the weekend is bound to get some people talking. Not only did our NHL Insider suggest that the Toronto Maple Leafs are in a better position this year than the Edmonton Oilers (!) but he was also relentless in his verbal assault on Dean. We also spoke with not one but two players eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, we looked at the youth in the system of the San Jose Sharks and we chatted with a NCAA reporter who is one of the most opinionated out there when it comes to college and CHL debates.

Top 5 Tuesday: Calder Dark Horses

This past Saturday our NHL insider Daren Millard from Rogers Sportsnet joined us (as he will every Saturday) to talk rookies and freshman in the big show. The week before that HNIC radio Jeff Marek gave us his Calder trophy candidates. From Eberle, Hall, Paajarvi to Seguin, Ennis and Carlson we talked about a lot of candidates.

There are a number of well known young kids who could take home the hardware, or it might be another surprise winner a la Tyler Myers of last year. Here are 5 guys who might be able to mimic what the now Sabre sophomore did in his rookie season.

Sharks Prospect Snap Shot

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The NHL could be found in the San Francisco area back in the late 60's and mid 70's but when the Oakland/California Golden Seals moved to Cleveland, hockey fans were out of luck. Then in time for the 1991-92 season, an expansion team was granted which also included a smattering of Minnesota North Stars players and the San Jose Sharks were born.

There were lean years in San Jose but the Sharks have grown into a ferocious regular season franchise. Unfortunately, once the playoffs begin, tradition has shown that the Sharks loose their bite and fall to the wayside.

San Jose has become an organization that is well respected for their drafting success and for also being aggressive on the trade front and free agency as well. Some of the big names who have played for the organization over the years have included Rob Blake, Joe Thornton, Jeremy Roenick, Arturs Irbe, Owen Nolan, Vincent Damphousse and Doug Wilson who is currently the club's General Manager.

Here is a look at some of the bigger fish in San Jose's prospect pool...

Top 5 Tuesday: Checking in on 2007 draft

Last week Guy took a look ahead to the 2011 NHL draft. Many people have questioned the depth of 2011. As Guy pointed out on a recent show, maybe we've just been spoiled with 2008, 2009 and the upcoming 2010 drafts. 2011 is looking more like the 2005-2007 events, minus the super star element of Sidney Crosby from 2005. So with that, let's take a look at who's made their mark from the 2007 draft.

Top 5 Tuesday: AHL Rookies

The Pipeline Show will coming out with our rookie of the year list in the next few weeks, and you can be sure we'll feature a segment or two on the subject. Today though on 'Top 5 Tuesday' we look at some ROY candidates for the American Hockey League. Mostly it's 2007 draft picks with the odd 2008 choice with a late birthday thrown in. There are some guys who aren't on the list that might make you wonder, but we think players like Colin Wilson (08, Nashville) and Zack Boychuk (08, Carolina) will crack their NHL clubs. So below is a list of 5 AHL freshman to watch out for.

1-James Van Riemsdyk-Adirondack
It seems longer than 2 years since Van Riemsdyk was taken 2nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers. After a couple of seasons at New Hampshire where he scored 74 points in 66 games, JVR left school and played 11 AHL games (7 reg season, 4 playoff) at the end of last year netting 2 points. The powerful winger is the top prospect in the Flyers system, but there's no need for the club to rush him, so a season with new farm team Adirondack will keep his career moving along nicely. It's about time, 11 players from JVR's draft year have played atleast 30 NHL games.

2-Thomas Hickey-Manchester
The LA Kings shocked most people at the 2007 draft when they took Hickey 4th overall ahead of Karl Alzner. Since then he's captain Canada at the WJC and had back to back double digit goal seasons in Seattle. The Kings have promoted a lot of youth over the past few years, and barring injuries the blueline won't have room for Hickey. Some thought he struggled at the WJC championship while paired with fellow Kings prospect Colton Tuebert, but Hickey skates well enough and notched 7 points in 7 AHL games at the end of last year.

3-Tyler Ennis-Portland
At the time of writing this, Tyler Ennis doesn't have a signed contract with Buffalo. TPS talked to him a week ago and he told us he wasn't concerned with it getting done. So let's assume it happens and Ennis isn't coming back to the Medicine Hat Tigers. Some say he's to small at 5.09, but remember this is the same guy who scored 6 goals in a game against Prince Albert last year. To be small and succeed at the pro game you have to be ultra skilled, for me Ennis is and should have a great year in Portland, with an organization that hasn't had a problem promoting pint size stars.

4-Logan Couture-Worcester
I'm not sure how Logan Couture never made a WJC team in Canada, after all he averaged 34 goals a season for the Ottawa 67's, with 25 in his rookie season and 39 last year. The Sharks took him 9th overall in 2007 and are anxious to see him take the next step. San Jose is likely to deep for him to make a mark at the highest level, but for a Worcester team that had only 2 guys score 20 plus goals his nose for the net could come in handy.

5-Jonathan Blum-Milwaukee
The Nashville Predators are one of my favorite teams when it comes to their prospect pool. Colin Wilson has a spot to lose with the big club while Cody Franson should graduate to the big club this year. That will leave a spot on the blueline with the Admirals for Jonathan Blum. He was recently a guest on TPS and you can hear the interview here. The Long Beach product became the first California kid to be taken in the first round when the Preds grabbed him 23rd in 2007. Since then he set the Vancouver Giants assists record, was named the top blueliner in the CHL, and has captained both the Giants and team USA at the World Junior Championship. Blum isn't the biggest D-man, but is one of the smartest players and it should help him succeed in his first pro year.

There are a few other guys to watch for. Angelo Esposito-Chicago, Nick Petrecki-Worcester and Colten Tuebert-Manchester. The latter (pictured)isn't old enough to play in the AHL, but played 14 regular season games for Regina as a 15 year old, and 6 more in the playoffs, and might be eligible for the AHL because of that. TPS is checking into this a little more and hopes to have the answer in the coming days. Have we missed someone on your list, let us know.

As for tonight, we'll preview the QMJHL, talk to a Canuck rookie hoping to crack the line up and find out who's looking good at Oilers rookie camp. 7-9 PM MST on the TEAM 1260 in Edmonton, or online at www.thepipelineshow.com.

5 To Watch For In The AHL

Last week Guy threw out some names who might be WHL rookie of the year candidates. Today I have 5 players to watch for in the AHL who might vy for the top freshman award.

1. Michael Backlund-forward-Calgary Flames
The Swede was all over the map last year, playing for his home country, then staying in Canada after the World Junior Championship. Backlund, drafted 24th by the Flames in 2007, played one game with the big club before joining the Kelowna Rockets for their Memorial Cup run. Is Backlund ready for the NHL? I don't think so, but he's certainly ready to excel with Abbotsford of the AHL.

2. Thomas Hickey-Defence-LA Kings
Hickey was pencilled in on the shut down pairing with Colton Teubert at the WJC in Ottawa, but the pair struggled and the role fell to Keith Aulie and Tyler Myers. Despite that, Hickey is ready to say goodbye to the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds and join the perennial successful Manchester Monarchs. Hickey suited up for 7 games when the T-birds season wrapped up last year and netted 7 points. This after putting up 51 points in 57 games including 15 goals with Seattle. The Kings shocked everyone when they snagged Hickey 4th overall (ahead of Karl Alzner) in 2007, but some time in the AHL should get him ready to join the already impressive blueline in LA. Expect Hickey to see some action in the NHL next year.

3. Logan Couture-Forward-San Jose
4 years in the OHL is enough for the 9th overall pick of 2007. Couture averaged more than a point per game during his junior career including scoring 39 goals and 87 points in 62 games for Ottawa last year. I'm not sure why this guy has never been a player for Hockey Canada, but I think he'll make a good pro. After some seasoning with Worcester of the AHL that is.

4. Ryan McDonagh-Defence-New York Rangers
Will the Rangers as Mcdonagh to leave Wisconsin after 2 years and turn pro? That's what I'm banking on with him on this list. The blueliner was involved in the trade that send Scott Gomez to Montreal and New York might want to get his pro career started. With Bobby Sanguinetti likely graduating to the big club this year there will be an opening on the blueline with the farm.

5. Angelo Esposito-Forward-Atlanta
An injury derailed what was a pretty good season for Esposito. After a good first half with Montreal and a decent WJC Esposito was shut down in the 2nd half, ending up with 42 points in 35 games. He played one AHL the year before in Chicago. Atlanta's farm club is full of AHL veterans that would be a nice help in Esposito's development. That is if he doesn't blow the Trashers socks off in training camp and make the team.


Also watch out for a few other players like Keith Aulie in Abbotsford as it's not likely the Brandon Wheat King will get to participate in the Memorial Cup. Jonathan Blum was the top blueliner in the WHL and should start rising up the rankings in Nashvilles organization. How about Riley Nash? The Oilers prospect is pretty sure he's heading back to Cornell, but a lot could change between now and then. Physically he's probably ready for the AHL and I think it's better to struggle for the first half and succeed in the 2nd half of the AHL then have a good full season in college.