Is Marincin on the Move?

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Here's a hypothetical question for you: Let's say you're the 9th place team in an 8-team conference. The team you are chasing for the final playoff spot is just three points ahead of you in the standings but have 4 games in hand thus potentially increasing that lead to as many as 11 points.

Let's further suppose that three years ago you just squeaked into the playoffs and were soundly swept in 4 straight games. You probably would have dealt your best player before the deadline that year but he got hurt at Canada's WJC camp and was done for the season, preventing you from stockpiling the youth and picks he would have garnered in a deal.

Now imagine that the next year you not only miss the playoffs but finish dead last in the league because your new star player was hurt at a summer camp for Hockey Canada and battled injuries all year long, only appearing in 16 games. He comes back the next year and with some promising youth and additions, you make it back into the postseason but fail to win a playoff game once again.

You prepare for 2011-12 as though you may have the pieces in place to not just make the playoffs but potentially host in the opening round as a top-4 team. Your key import is sent back to you instead of the AHL and all seems right with the world.

Then, that star player that you were counting on to guide your team to the top of the standings? He surprises and sticks with his NHL club as a 19-year-old meaning you can't have him on your roster and you've lost another franchise player without getting anything in return.

Now... with a month to go before the trade deadline, you've got a decision to make. Do you try and rally the troops to overcome the 3-11 point deficit so you can just make it into the playoffs (to face a potential Memorial Cup champion in the first round) or do you take advantage of the first chance you've had in 4 years to make trades to better your franchise for the future?

Such is life for the Prince George Cougars who have two impact players on their roster that they know won't be back in the WHL next year. One is definitely available, the other is a guy 21 other teams would love to add to their squad.

Yesterday I asked GM Dallas Thompson what he plans to do with 32-goal scorer Charles Inglis and stud import defenceman Martin Marincin.

Comrie Stones Cougars Again

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16-year-old Eric Comrie wasn't having the greatest start to his WHL career but it's taken a big turn for the better after he posted back-to-back shutouts against the Prince George Cougars over the last two nights.

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.

Top 5 Tuesdays: WHL Overage Goalies

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You might be wondering why I'm spotlighting goalies who have already gone undrafted at least once. With just 5 months left before the 2011 NHL Draft, scouts have had ample time to watch the notable players and most (if not all) NHL teams have had their mid-season meetings. I've spent a lot of time the last little while picking brains - talking to a lot of scouts in regards to this year's draft class. I've been asking about specific players or about a broader subject, like goaltenders. (You'll get the results of all those discussions soon by the way).

What I've come to understand is that the goalies in the Class of 2011, as a group, are not considered to be that strong. In fact, more that once I've been told to expect that an over-aged WHL goalie will get drafted before one who is eligible for the first time. With that in mind, here are the top 5 candidates to be that guy.