Saturday Morning Special - Sept 3

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Not to steal screen time away from our ongoing "Rookie Watch" series but we had a show this morning and as always, we like to offer up a bit of a recap for those that missed it live. A retired NHL enforcer, a WHL GM, the new head scout for Phoenix, a writer from The Hockey News and our QMJHL prognosticator made up the guest list for today.

Saturday Morning Special - Aug 13th

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Another jam packed edition of The Pipeline Show this morning as we went touched base with a CHL team in the QMJHL, the OHL and the WHL plus went across the border for the latest at the U20 camp in Lake Placid for USA. We also checked in with one of our regular CHL gurus for his take on the latest chapter in the never ending border kerfuffle between major junior and NCAA hockey.

Mooseheads Set to Acquire MacKinnon

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Thanks to TPS regular Kevin Forbes for the heads up who notified us that the QMJHL club in his backyard is about to land the next Big Thing. The Halifax Mooseheads have reportedly agreed on a deal that will bring in phenom Nathan MacKinnon from Baie-Comeau in exchange for two players and a trio of 1st round draft picks.

The Chronicle-Herald is reporting that something will eventually be done once the August 1st trade window arrives.

It's a lot to give up but Halifax can afford the price because they just dealt a USHL based prospect named Adam Erne to the Quebec Remparts for two 1sts and a 2nd round pick.

With MacKinnon joining Martin Frk, the Mooseheads will have two of the most highly regarded U18 players in the world on their roster.

Mooseheads Make Coaching Change

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News today out of the QMJHL that majority owner Bobby Smith is the new head coach of the Halifax Mooseheads. In a brief release today, the team made it clear that outgoing bench boss Cam Russell is still employed and will continue on in a key management role.

Tonight's Guest List

Here's a quick run down of tonight's Pipeline Show, which can be heard from 7-9 pm mst on the TEAM 1260 in Edmonton or online www.thepipelineshow.com.

We'll kick things off with the head coach and GM of the Halifax Mooseheads Cam Russell. They have the top two penalty minute players and the top goal scorer so it should be an interesting year in Halifax. They also have a player who's being touted as a top 3 pick for 2012, we'll tell you who tonight.

The Carolina Hurricanes will have some interesting decisions to make when the regular season rolls around. Do they keep this year's first rounder Jeff Skinner or send him back to Kitchener of the OHL? The Canes signed Skinner to his entry level deal today, does that signal his future? Do one of Zach Boychuk or Drayson Bowman make the BIG club? And where does Riley Nash fit in their plans? Carolina's director of amateur scouting Tony MacDonald will be our guest.

Matt Nieto is a freshman for Boston University and is eligible for the 2011 NHL draft. The small skilled forward had a great couple of years for the US National development team and might be one to watch for this year's World Junior Championship.

With the WHL season getting going later this week, we'll chat with Jordi Weidman of the Edmonton Oil Kings about upcoming events on and off the ice this season? Is the team where they want to be 4 years into the league? Has their demographic changed over time?

These guests and lots to talk about tonight starting at 7 pm mst. Email any questions pipeup@theteam1260.com.