I have read that Carlyle was less than impressed with Connolly so far after Wednesday's scrimmage. With little time left, he might find himself in the press box early. (Lineup must be set to 23 by Friday noon)
He will probably go with the familiar top lines to start the season. Then fiddle with the line up after the first busy week.
[pre]
Lupul. Bozak. Kessel
Mac. Grabovski. Kulemin
JVR Kadri. Frattin
Komorov. McClement. Brown[/pre]
Steckel/Connolly
That wouldn't be the end of the world.
There are going to be injuries.
I watched TSN, IIRC on Kadri and you'd think he had been sentenced to some prison or something over the past 3 years.
He's been playing professional
hockey, getting paid, and hopefully feeling part of a team. I'm not sure why everyone is making this out to be some hardship? He should be having fun, hanging out with the guys, and being part of it. Hopefully he isn't spending his time whinging and crying about being screwed by the team. I'm not saying he is, but it sounds like some of the fans are. Would you want a teammate like that? Someone that dismisses everything you are doing, saying you are garbage but I'm not up because they don't like me?
They make is seem like he's the only player that has to go through development, or make a team. It's pro sports, not your city league you pay to play in.
AHL:
Palmieri 146 games, 134 points, .92 ppg
Kadri 119 games, 107 points, .90 ppg
Holland 108 games, 97 points, .90 ppg
I wonder if everyone is handing out tissues in Anaheim?
He has a great chance to make the team, but he has to be part of the team and fit in. These guys are all in this together, and as players say, you have to rely on teammates. No one gets special treatment, it is about putting the best players on the ice who'll create a winning atmosphere.