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Connolly Staking Claim to a Lightning Roster Spot |
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The Tampa Bay Lightning have had a number of quality young players step up and make an impact on the NHL roster over the last few years. Names like Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, and Alex Killorn, among others, stick out above the rest. A ‘forgotten man’ of sorts is Brett Connolly, who has spent the last two years playing with the Syracuse Crunch in the American Hockey League. Fans and pundits alike have struggled to determine where he fits on a Lightning team that is overloaded with talented wingers. Drafted 6th overall in 2010, Connolly now looks poised and ready to take that next step and establish himself as a contributing NHL player.
Many people, this blogger included, felt that Connolly had cemented a roster spot for himself after his stellar play in last year’s training camp and preseason. That didn’t happen. Instead, he was sent down to the minors where he was given the opportunity to refine his skills and become a leader. Clearly the unpopular decision to send him down has paid dividends for the Lightning, as Connolly looks like a much better player now than he has at any time during his tenure with the Bolts.
Jon Cooper has been just as effusive with his praise for Connolly, as transcribed by Joe Smith of the
Tampa Bay Times:
"He's showing a lot more poise with the puck than he has in the past," Cooper said. "One thing I've been kind of proud of him about is, he was kind of a one-and-done player and now he's starting to go into the corner and is coming out with the puck instead of sometimes he'd use to do some flybys and not come out with (it). He's engaged a little bit more; that's all progress to me. He's a better player today than he was last year at this time."
So, while the numbers may not be there like they were in last year’s preseason, Connolly absolutely looks readier for the rigors of an NHL schedule. As I noted in the observations section of my last post-game recap, he just seems to go about his business quietly and effectively. It’s not flashy, a la Stamkos, but it gets the job done. It’s that sort of reliability that could and should earn Connolly a top-six spot with the Lightning this year.
People have been quick to criticize Connolly for not making the jump. What people seem to forget is that this player is only 22 years old. Players develop at different rates; everybody takes a slightly different path to the big league. Connolly has spent time developing in the American League, where he’s been a very productive player. If that extra year or two of development is what helps him become a solid NHLer, there’s no reason to complain. Try not to forget that Connolly is the same age now as Ondrej Palat was at this time last year. There’s still plenty of time for him to make his mark on the Lightning roster. It looks like he may get his chance here in 2014-15.
As always, thanks for reading.
Michael Stuart has been the Tampa Bay Lightning writer for HockeyBuzz since 2012. Visit his archive to read more or follow him on Twitter.
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