Michael Stuart: Connolly Staking Claim to a Lightning Roster Spot

Michael Stuart: Connolly Staking Claim to a Lightning Roster Spot
- Michael_Stuart

"If that extra year or two of development is what helps him become a solid NHLer, there’s no reason to complain."


Agree with you a 100% Michael. Love how these kids are labeled busts before they reach 25. What makes it worse is when the clubs give up on them way before that. Who cares how long they take to develop(within reason of course)? Just as long as they do and it doesn't prevent other budding prospects from making the jump due to number of contracts is all that matters.

I am very hopeful that Conolly will make the team this time around. I'm always going to cheer for those Island boys!

Yes everyone expects a first round pick to make the team in a year maybe two.He took three that's all. If he didn't make it this year though people would be all over his progress. Glad to see him on the team.

Quick questions:

1) With the rise of talented youth in TB, where do you see them at the end of the season in the Eastern Conference, top 3 or are they a little over-hyped and will be more of a bubble team?

2) Which line do you see Palat playing this year?

3) Speaking of lines, what would the Top 2 lines look like?

4) Is the D a concern for TB?


TB is probably the most intriguing team in the East this year imo

Thanks!

Quick questions:

1) With the rise of talented youth in TB, where do you see them at the end of the season in the Eastern Conference, top 3 or are they a little over-hyped and will be more of a bubble team?

2) Which line do you see Palat playing this year?

3) Speaking of lines, what would the Top 2 lines look like?

4) Is the D a concern for TB?


TB is probably the most intriguing team in the East this year imo

Thanks!
- frenchgui

1) Top 3
2) With Johnson and Panik
3) Drouin - Stamkos - Callahan
Killorn - Filpulla - Connolly
4) No

Quick questions:

1) With the rise of talented youth in TB, where do you see them at the end of the season in the Eastern Conference, top 3 or are they a little over-hyped and will be more of a bubble team?

2) Which line do you see Palat playing this year?

3) Speaking of lines, what would the Top 2 lines look like?

4) Is the D a concern for TB?


TB is probably the most intriguing team in the East this year imo

Thanks!
- frenchgui

Not Michael but here is my take.

1) I expect the Lightning to be battling the Bruins and Habs for tops in the Atlantic Division, if Bishop is healthy and plays near how he did last year they will be tough team to play every night.

2) I originally thought Palat would be on a line with Stamkos but I am not certain of that right now based on the preseason. He will be top six in my mind so on a line with Stamkos or Filppula most likely. Can't see them putting him on the third line even if they have Tyler Johnson centering that line.

3)Top two lines. Hard to say but I would say to start the season the top two lines will consist of Stamkos and Filppula as the centers. Ryan Callahan, Ondrej Palat, Nikita Kucherov and Alex Killorn as the wingers but not sure of actual line combos. I am basing this off of Tyler Johnson being the 3rd line C. Connolly has the potential to be top six but I think Kucherov has him beat due to his scoring potential. Drouin will end up top six but I think it might be month before he sees game action.

4) The D, while their is always concern about the team the D is much improved with Stralman and Garrison added to go along with great depth of Sustr and Barberio who both got plenty of action last season so the Bolts are 8 NHL deep. Hedman-Stralman should be a corsi person's wet dream. Garrison if paired with Carle should be a steady pairing and Brewer in reduced minutes is still good, putting Gudas on the third line with Brewer should help him as well.

Wow thanks for the great answers guys, I appreciate the detail.

The main reason I asked is to acquire information for my Fantasy Team and you guys delivered, there is a lot of Fantasy-Potential with Tampa Bay, even without Stamkos.

I had a small concern that this TB team can fall under the overhype pressure-cooker, take the Avs preseason as an example (even if it's only preseason). I wonder if Dallas will be able to perform under this over-hype pressure.

TBH I had forgotten that they signed Garrison, it seems that they have their D Core, let's just hope nobody underacheives and we're looking at Eastern Conference contenders here.

Thanks again!

P.S: Would love to see Bishop's name on the Vezina

Here's the line combos they ran with the most while training over the past week:

Kucherov-Stamkos-Callahan
Killorn-Filppula-Connolly
Palat-Johnson-Panik
Morrow-Boyle-Brown
Marchessault-Namestiknov-Paquette (gold jerseys)
Drouin out with injury.

Will it stay that way it sure might and I would be happy with it but I still think Palat ends up with Stamkos or Filppula and one of Kucherov or Connolly goes on the third line with Johnson. Either way the bolts have lots of options to shift lines, something that Jon Cooper does in game a lot anyway.

Here is the D pairings they ran with from what I have read for the last week of practice but I don't think they are set:

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

This upcoming season is a little worrisome for me. So much expectation.

This upcoming season is a little worrisome for me. So much expectation.
- Artyukhin76

I dont expect them to win the division this year. But starting next year, it's on. This year i see a 4 team battle for the top, if Detroit can stay healthy. Then Toronto lacking behind a bit. Florida is on the upswing and could be hard to play against. This division can be tougher than people think.

I was hoping he might shake loose and the B's could swing a deal for him. Crud!

I was hoping he might shake loose and the B's could swing a deal for him. Crud!
- Double_A

Interested in JT Brown?

Interested in JT Brown?
- Artyukhin76

I personally think the B's should be interested in any promising young RW.

I personally think the B's should be interested in any promising young RW.
- Double_A

He's a good, scrappy young guy with a lot of upside and potential. However, with the way things are shaping up, he could be the odd man out.

He's a good, scrappy young guy with a lot of upside and potential. However, with the way things are shaping up, he could be the odd man out.
- Artyukhin76

Interesting, I'm sure the B's will have some interest. He's a little undersized, but he'd be a nice addition to the prospect group IMO. We've got plenty of young D or C's that could be flipped in a 1 for 1 sort of deal.

Interesting, I'm sure the B's will have some interest. He's a little undersized, but he'd be a nice addition to the prospect group IMO. We've got plenty of young D or C's that could be flipped in a 1 for 1 sort of deal.
- Double_A

Tyler Johnson is small too and look at him!

To tell leaf fans vinik is not poor he bought the waterside hotel today for 150 million

Quick questions:

1) With the rise of talented youth in TB, where do you see them at the end of the season in the Eastern Conference, top 3 or are they a little over-hyped and will be more of a bubble team?

2) Which line do you see Palat playing this year?

3) Speaking of lines, what would the Top 2 lines look like?

4) Is the D a concern for TB?


TB is probably the most intriguing team in the East this year imo

Thanks!
- frenchgui

this I think is the first year in a long time being a lightning fan I fully expect them to make the playoffs

this I think is the first year in a long time being a lightning fan I fully expect them to make the playoffs
- todd1a

YOU JUST KILLED OUR PLAYOFF HOPES WITH THAT STATEMENT!!!!!!

Panik or Brown? Who goes? I think Kucherov and Connolly are locked.

Panik or Brown? Who goes? I think Kucherov and Connolly are locked.
- Artyukhin76

With Drouin hurt to start the season I think both Panik and Brown are on the team. Drouin will be the thirteenth forward while injured, I think we won't see him until the end of October as he recovers. March-Vlad-Paquette will be sent back to the Crunch. So that leaves space for both Panik and Brown to start the season, at least that is what I think.

YOU JUST KILLED OUR PLAYOFF HOPES WITH THAT STATEMENT!!!!!!
- Artyukhin76

Oh I think we are winning the Stanley cup!!

I think Drouin's injury gave Kucherov the opportunity to play and boy did the kid kick the door down, he will be in the top six - no doubt in my mind. My girlfriend says she is ordering me a the new 3rd 86 Kucherov jersey, she says he is my current man crush and its making her jealous...

Namestnikov is giving a run to be on the opening night but I still think he goes back to the Crunch.

Would they cut Morrow to make room for one of Vlad or Paquette? I still don't see them cutting Panik or Brown.

I think Drouin's injury gave Kucherov the opportunity to play and boy did the kid kick the door down, he will be in the top six - no doubt in my mind. My girlfriend says she is ordering me a the new 3rd 86 Kucherov jersey, she says he is my current man crush and its making her jealous...

Namestnikov is giving a run to be on the opening night but I still think he goes back to the Crunch.

Would they cut Morrow to make room for one of Vlad or Paquette? I still don't see them cutting Panik or Brown.
- stammerman

Idk but Vladdy and kucherov are going to kill the ahl if they go down!