Hartley Miller’s Slapshots – Friday, February 10th
Friday, February 10, 2012 @ 3:45 AM
It happened to Tyler Seguin last season and many rookies before him. Now, Brett Connolly ofPrince George has joined the club. The 6th overall pick in the 2010 Entry Draft was a healthy scratch
for the first time as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He did not dress during a 2-1 overtime loss (Feb 2nd) to the visiting Winnipeg Jets and again five days later (Feb. 7th) in a 3-1 loss to the L.A. Kings.
Connolly had experienced 16 consecutive NHL games without a point prior to being informed by Coach Guy Boucher he would watch the Jets contest from the press box. Yet, it was his struggles defensively that led to the benching.
"Every player that is 19 years old goes through what he is going through right now. We know he is going to be a terrific player. He has tremendous skills, he’s got great speed … but this is the NHL and there are a lot of things guys have to learn and 99 percent of the time that’s being reliable defensively," Boucher told Foxsportsflorida.com.
"Every player that is 19 years old goes through what he is going through right now. We know he is going to be a terrific player. He has tremendous skills, he’s got great speed … but this is the NHL and there are a lot of things guys have to learn and 99 percent of the time that’s being reliable defensively," Boucher told Foxsportsflorida.com.
The former P.G. Cougars captain has gone 2 ½ months without a goal or an assist. His last assist was Nov 26th against Florida and his last goal was Nov 17th against Pittsburgh. In 39 games, Connolly has 4 goals and 4 assists with 16 PIM and a minus-two rating. His average ice time is 11:14 but he has played less than 10 minutes in each of his last 10 games. The playing time hit rock bottom when he was on the ice for just six shifts, a total of 5 minutes and 8 seconds in the Tampa 4-3 overtime victory over Washington (Jan 31st).
"I have to get better in my defensive end. It’s a work in progress. It’s a matter of me getting better as a hockey player — (even) if that means I have to play on the fourth line and not play as much and focus on the D zone", Connolly explained to Foxsportsflorida.com.
Seguin, in just his second season with the Boston Bruins, leads the NHL in the plus-minus department and is in the top 40 of league scoring, so he is an example of how things can turn around quickly.
It appeared that Connolly’s junior career was over, and it may be, but Tampa still has the option of returning him to the Tri-City Americans, a decision that has to be made prior to the Feb 27th NHL trade deadline. It’s an intriguing dilemma with the Lightning who are a long-shot to make the playoffs. On the other hand, the Americans could make a long run and play into May. Tampa’s last regular season game is April 7th.
The Cougars may be major benefactors if Connolly is sent back to the WHL as Prince George would receive a first & a second round bantam pick from the Americans as part of an earlier conditional trade.
Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has suggested to the media that there are no plans for Connolly to return to junior, but admits the door is open, particularly if Tampa falls too far out of the playoff chase.
I don’t believe the benefits of being sent down outweigh the pitfalls. Although Tri-City is having an excellent season, they will have difficulty getting past the second round. The Americans do not have proven playoff goaltending with ex-Cougar Ty Rimmer and rookie Eric Comrie in the net. I’m not sure how motivated Connolly will be joining Tri-City. I realize having Connolly watch an NHL game in street clothes doesn’t help his situation but I assume this is temporary. If Tampa is out of the race by the end of the month, wouldn’t it be wise for the Lightning to become sellers and trade some of their veteran players. This would allow the future of the team, younger players like Connolly to have plenty of ice time in key situations which should help in their development.
This season has certainly had its learning curves and ups and downs for Connolly, but the good news is
he has been rewarded handsomely to the tune of $900,000.
he has been rewarded handsomely to the tune of $900,000.
#
Another injury plagued season is over for former P.G. Cougar Dana Tyrell. The Tampa Bay Lightning
right winger had surgery last week on his right ACL. He is expected to be fully recovered for training camp.
right winger had surgery last week on his right ACL. He is expected to be fully recovered for training camp.
From the Quote Rack:
Wes Welker has been asked to throw the switch that drops the ball at Times Square next New Year’s Eve.
Madonna decided to scrap her halftime tribute to Elizabeth Taylor–Roger Goodell thought it inappropriate to marry and divorce eight men during halftime.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
360 days until Super Bowl XLVII, on February 3rd, 2013 in New Orleans. The pre-game show starts next week.
Can’t wait to see what Tom Brady says about the other women if Giselle Bundchen ever plays in the Lingerie Bowl.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, Californiawww.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Tom Brady has canceled playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AM. Gisele says, you can’t expect my husband to hit the bleeping ball and putt out too!
Gisele Bundchen throws NE receivers under the bus with her post game comments. Well, at least she caught one Brady pass in her life.
Comedy writer TC Chong http://www.dailycomedy.com/u/tcdag52
Tom Brady’s wife Gisele Bundchen was caught saying her husband can’t throw and catch the ball at the same time. She should know, as a model it is really hard for her to walk and chew gum at the same time.
Tim Horton’s unveiled a Calgary Flames donut. It has no centre, a cream filling and not available at playoff time.
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgaryhttp://smacksport.blogspot.com
The NFL fined Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora $20,000 for being AWOL from Super Bowl media day, less than two weeks after Patriots safety Patrick Chung was docked $7,500 for unnecessary roughness.
So what’s it say when you get fined more for a miss than you do for a hit?
Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sidelinechatter/
The Super Bowl champion New York Giants enjoyed a ticker tape parade down Broadway in New York City. The 30 tons of confetti thrown from buildings will be used to light a fire under the Knicks.
Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/
Calgary officials are upset that ex-game show host Bob Barker says winning a trip to the Stampede is a cruel prize. They point out a trip to an Oilers game is much crueler.
Several women from Britain’s Olympic team are featured in a calendar for lingerie firm Nichole de Carle. It’s the best sports calendar I’ve seen, bra none.
A woman was arrested after reportedly trying to extort Yankees GM Brian Cashman. Now Cashman
knows how fans feel when they go to buy a hot dog and beer at a Yankees game.
knows how fans feel when they go to buy a hot dog and beer at a Yankees game.
Comedy writer Jim Barach (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)
And in case you missed it:
A recent article chronicled the exploits of a lone gray wolf who has traveled nine months over Oregon and California in search of a mate. Making this the longest scoreless streak by a male not named Scott
Gomez.
Gomez.
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York
Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com.
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