At TCS Live in Ann Arbor in June 2025, Jeff Tambellini, the freshly named Assistant GM and Director of Hockey Operations for the Tampa Bay Lightning, shared insights on the art and science of player development. His message was simple but powerful: clarity and trust are the cornerstones of getting prospects to the NHL.

For Tambellini, the work begins long before a player ever skates in the NHL. While with the Seattle Kraken, his department’s mandate was clear: help prospects build a game that translates to the NHL. To do this, Tambellini outlined a four-step process that blends research, relationships, and responsibility.

Step 1: Research Phase

It starts on draft day. Tambellini emphasized the importance of collecting clips and evaluations from a player’s draft year, highlighting skill, creativity, and raw potential. But this step isn’t just about identifying talent, it’s about building the foundation for a long-term plan.

Step 2: Relationship Phase

Trust is currency in development. Tambellini underscored that credibility is built, not given. Establishing authentic relationships with players sets the stage for everything that follows.

“The process starts with trust. If you don’t have that, the plan won’t matter.”

Step 3: The NHL Development Plan

The plan itself provides structure: on-ice skills, fitness, maturity, personality, habits, resources, and a timeline. Each piece works together to show players not just where they are, but where they can go. Tambellini shared examples from Seattle’s system, including the growth of first-round pick Shane Wright while playing in the AHL with Coachella Valley.

“If you want players to buy in, they need clarity, solutions, and a vision they can believe in.”

Step 4: Building a Translatable Game

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure a player’s style and habits can scale up to the NHL. That means delivering honest assessments, identifying clear development areas, and aligning players with the tools to succeed.

“Development is not just about patience, it’s about providing solutions and showing players the way forward.”

Coaching Takeaways

• A development plan should provide clarity, solutions, and vision.

• Building trust and credibility is as important as teaching skills.

• Honest assessments are the foundation of growth.

• Patience is critical, but patience without direction is wasted time.

A Challenge for Coaches

Think about your players: Do they know their development plan? Beyond drills and systems, do they have a clear picture of the steps they need to take to reach the next level?

Your challenge: create one development plan this week - written, structured, and honest - for a player you coach. Give them clarity, and in return, you’ll earn their trust.

Noteworthy timestamps:

• 0:00 Developing with purpose
• 1:15 Building a development plan
• 2:55 Step 1: Research phase
• 5:35 Step 2: Relationship phase
• 10:55 Step 3: NHL development plan
• 11:25 Development plan - Equation/objective
• 13:50 Step 4: NHL translatable game
• 18:40 Final takeaways