Michael Stuart: Lightning Bloggers Roundtable on Breakout Players

Michael Stuart: Lightning Bloggers Roundtable on Breakout Players
- Michael_Stuart

I agree with you, I think Conolly is going to have a great season matched up with Filppula and Killorn. I thought at the end of training camp last season he got a raw deal. But I would also add in Mark Barberio into that possible breakout season.

I would love to see Connolly break out this year. I see the round table have 3 for Connolly 1 for Kuch and 1 for JT. I haven't seen them yet but hope that Connolly and Kuch bulked up this year. Connolly has the frame and worked out with Stammer so it will help his biggest problem of not being strong on the puck-he should have -but Kuch got pushed around too much last year, great hands but not strong on the puck as well.

I would love to see Connolly break out this year. I see the round table have 3 for Connolly 1 for Kuch and 1 for JT. I haven't seen them yet but hope that Connolly and Kuch bulked up this year. Connolly has the frame and worked out with Stammer so it will help his biggest problem of not being strong on the puck-he should have -but Kuch got pushed around too much last year, great hands but not strong on the puck as well.
- tpd11

Kucherov is a feather weight. Connolly has a solid frame, but as of right now he's switch lines at training camp.

Jt brown is my pick

Don't get me wrong I want everyone to break out but he's my main pick !

Jt brown is my pick

Don't get me wrong I want everyone to break out but he's my main pick !
- RileyB77

He was my second choice. I liked a lot of what we saw from his last year. If he plays like that again, and his shooting percentage ticks up a little bit, he'll be in for a really good year.

Jt brown is my pick

Don't get me wrong I want everyone to break out but he's my main pick !
- RileyB77

I like JT Brown as well but I just don't think he's going to get the same opportunities as Drouin and Conolly.

I agree with you, I think Conolly is going to have a great season matched up with Filppula and Killorn. I thought at the end of training camp last season he got a raw deal. But I would also add in Mark Barberio into that possible breakout season.
- Artyukhin76

I don't see how Barberio gets enough playing time to have a chance to break out.

Connolly...finally has a spot now that he is truly "ready" for the NHL

JT Brown...all he has to do is put a few more shots on net and he will accumulate more points. His style of play lends itself to creating chances

Final choice...Palat. I know we know how good he is, however with a full season in the top 6 I believe the rest of the NHL will truly understand just how good he is. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get close to a PPG average

I don't see how Barberio gets enough playing time to have a chance to break out.
- uf1910

Neither do I, but he has the talent and the tools it's just gonna take time with him.

I think kucherov will be are breakout player next season

I think kucherov will be are breakout player next season
- todd1a

If he sticks with the team, then I believe he has a very good chance at a breakout year.

If he sticks with the team, then I believe he has a very good chance at a breakout year.
- Artyukhin76

From everything I just read Kucherov played the scrimage with Killorn and Filppula and did very well with them. I really think he makes the team, I don't see anyone passing him over.

So it looks like right now our top line is Palat-Stamkos-Callahan based on practice. I am happy Palat is with Stamkos, that will be a good pairing.
So here is my best guess based on that...

Palat-Stamkos-Callahan
Killorn-Filppula-Connolly/Kucherov
Drouin-Johnson-Connolly/Kucherov
Morrow-Boyle-Brown
Panik

One of Connolly or Kucherov will win the 2nd line top 6 and the other plays 3rd line with TJ centering that line with Drouin. Brown can mix in on 3rd line duties as well but for roster projections I still put him on the 4th.

No idea on the D pairings yet other then top pair, Brewer is teaching DeAngelo, Sustr has played alot with Garrison in practice, Carle has played alot with Gudas again, havent read much on Barberio.
So my best guess is still what everyone has thought it will be for a while, no way they pair Carle and Gudas again and Garrison will be top four so...

Hedman-Stralman
Carle-Garrison
Brewer-Gudas
Sustr-Barberio

What does everyone else think after 5 days of camp. I know a true picture will start to emerge after the weekend when most of the syracuse guys go down to AHL for their trip to France but its fun to guess right now.

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Stralman... I have a feeling his offensive numbers are going to be excellent this year if he plays with Hedman. Yeah, the big UFA we got, I'm picking him as the breakout guy, because I truly feel his offensive ability has been underutilized to this point.

Sooner or later kucherov and drouin are going to push Connolly out of the way

Sooner or later kucherov and drouin are going to push Connolly out of the way
- todd1a

Not sure Drouin will. He plays on the left.

Kucherov, yes.

If they play Johnson on the wing, then things get even more clogged.

Im gonna go out on a limb and say Filppula will get the recognition he deserves. Push Pitts away from the leagues best 1-2 punch hell ya

Drouin out with broken bones. Shame...some players never recover from these injuries.

Drouin out with broken bones. Shame...some players never recover from these injuries.
- rangerdanger94

You might as well just put lightning as your favorite team. We all know you have a team stream of them wiener.

You might as well just put lightning as your favorite team. We all know you have a team stream of them wiener.
- DrouinsDrone

Drouin out with broken bones. Shame...some players never recover from these injuries.
- rangerdanger94

He's young and will miss the pre season and maybe a game or two- not to worry he's not one of you're old men. But thanks for stopping by.

He's young and will miss the pre season and maybe a game or two- not to worry he's not one of you're old men. But thanks for stopping by.
- tpd11

His season will play out like a player that holds out. Misses all of preseason and start of regular season. Finally gets into a game and is a step behind everyone for the entire year. Won't be surprised if he finishes the year in juniors.

A couple days in the press box won't hurt him, it actually helped Stamkos. But why am I discussing anything with you Dangler you don't really matter, just a pimple on the a*s of humanity
- tpd11

He's bored, ignore him and hopefully he'll bugger off.