Center Controversy?

Controversy? What controversy?

1C? Connolly, obviously.
But what about his health?
Well if he's not healthy then Lombardi can take his spot, right?
I guess he could fill a temporary role, but his health is an even bigger questionmark.

Ok, well at least the 2C we can agree on. Grabovski.
Yes, That one seems to be the only guarantee.

But the 3C is obviously Bozak, right?
Not so fast, if Connolly is healthy, and Lombardi is healthy...

Lombardi will play the 4C, right?
Boyce is a better fit at the 4C with his work ethic. He's a role player.

So who is sitting in the press-box?
Well, assuming everyone is healthy it will probably look something like this:

1C = Connolly
2C = Grabovski

That's all we really know for sure. After that we can make some assumptions:

3C = Bozak. He played the 1C before this as a (failed) attempt to fill a gap. Less offensive responsibility and lower quality opponents will give Bozak a chance to excel.

4C and Press-box will be filled depending on a number of factors:
1) Lombardi's health. If he's not capable to play, then we no longer have an issue.
2) Lombardi's conditioning. Even if he is cleared to play, he hasn't played a game in almost a full year. He hasn't even had a proper practice in that time either. His conditioning is far behind everyone else and will require time to catch up.
3) We know exactly what we're getting with Boyce. He's a role player who will work his ass of for the team. the 4C position is his to lose this season. Barring a remarkable recovery and preseason by Lombardi (which would also put pressure on all the other centers) it looks like our centers will be:

Connolly
Grabovski
Bozak
Boyce

Lombardi

Simple enough right?

Lets take a look at one more variable:

Joe Colborne.

If Colborne impresses at camp it still won't land him a regular spot in the lineup, but it will line him up for a call up during the season when somebody either gets injured, gets into a slump, or even if someone is deemed expendable and is traded.

So how does this year differ from last year? Last year we were short at center, we had a 3C playing the 1C.

This year we have an upgrade. Connolly, while maybe not necessarily a 1C by nature, he is at worst a 2C, and he has the skills that Kessel and Lupul need. Connolly is a pass-first kind of guy. Kessel and Lupul like to shoot. This makes him a perfect fit.

Our complete 2nd line stays together. They put up great numbers last year, and no with a stronger first line they will be the recipients of weaker defending by the opposition. This opens up even more possibilities for our 2nd line this year.

It's our 3rd and 4th lines that see the biggest benefit. That benefit being choice. Last year we didn't have much choice on the bottom end. Whoever was there stayed there. This year we have 4 centers who can legitimately fill those 2 spots. This sort of competition will drive each of them to work harder which will give us a stronger team as a whole.

I'm liking this years controversy at center a lot better than last years.


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