SB Nation Seattle

For the first time in this lockout, it seemed like this feature may not have been needed anymore, but here we are back to square one.

As the World Junior Championship approaches, prospects are looking to impress.

With the lockout, several Habs players are playing in Europe. We'll give you a weekly breakdown on how they're doing, along with Habs prospects.

The 2012 NHL lockout is at the end of its first week, with preseason games having already been canceled. No progress has been made since it started, and players are already signing with teams in Europe.

The Portland Timbers have announced a pre-season tournament at Jeld-Wen Field with Chivas USA, San Jose Earthquakes and Sweden's AIK.

Two countries who've never before placed a player in the NHL have a shot to do so in the coming years.

How have recent events changed the landscape of European professional hockey? Three years after the Champions Hockey League and the establishment of the KHL, we're really only now figuring it out.

The Kvalserien to Elitserien tournament is Sweden's exciting method of promotion and relegation, and is a format that should be used more often. This year's tournament has already produced a new Elitserien team: the Vaxjo Lakers, who will compete in Sweden's top league for the first time in their club's history.

The Elitserien playoffs are underway, and the league's top team both last year and in this year's regular season are facing down a 3-0 series deficit. Also, Adam Larsson is shining for Skelleftea while legendary club MODO faces relegation.