What will Connolly's debut mean for Leafs?
Now that there is a “when” for Tim Connolly’s debut as a Maple Leaf, the team must prepare to answer the follow-up questions that go with the news.
It is expected the team’s big free-agent acquisition will be in the lineup here on Thursday when the Leafs face the Rangers.
With Tyler Bozak also due back after missing two games with a foot injury, Leafs brass can spend part of their two off days in Manhattan determining how to re-configure the roster.
It has been a solid start to the season, record-wise, to be sure, but the Leafs have lost two of three on this road trip and are ready for a positive jolt to gain a split.
The Leafs were given a full day off Tuesday but will return to practice Wednesday at the rebuilt Madison Square Garden where we may get a hint at the revamped lineup.
A win against the Rangers on Thursday would salvage a split on the road trip, which would be considered a success given injuries to Bozak, Connolly, Colby Armstrong and James Reimer.
The return of Bozak and the belated start to Connolly’s time as a Leaf should help, but who pays the price?
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Toronto/2011/10/25/18877321.html
