NEW YORK – Jostling for a loose puck with John-Michael Liles, Tim Connolly took a loud but not overly impactful hit into the end boards at Madison Square Garden. There was no grimace, no look of discomfort or pain, nothing that would indicate Connolly not making his Leafs debut on Thursday night when the team visits the Rangers in their home opener. The 30-year-old has missed the first eight games of the regular season due to a shoulder injury suffered in the second week of training camp, but after his second full practice on Wednesday afternoon, he appears on the verge of joining the lineup for the first time. "Timmy Connolly is very, very, very, very close," said head coach Ron Wilson, noting that a firm decision would not be made until Thursday. "Weve got a game [Thursday] so well see," said Connolly. "It was good to get out there, get in some regular shifts out there, do a little penalty-killing and power-play, get a few reps – feel pretty good." Its been a long-awaited debut. Nagged by a series of injuries since the lockout – he missed 192 games over six seasons – Connolly got off to a rather unfortunate start in Toronto, tumbling heavily into the end boards at practice on September 26. Initially day-to-day with an undisclosed upper-body injury, Connolly was actually more week-to-week as the injury to his shoulder failed to improve. Inked to a two-year deal worth $9.5 million in the offseason, the Syracuse native was pegged to be the much-needed veteran pivot for Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul this season, a role hes going to obtain upon his return. "Theyre really clicking right now," said Connolly. "Im just going to try and stay out of their way; just get em the puck as much as possible and try and do all the little things right." Kessel entered Wednesdays action as the NHL scoring leader with 15 points, also leading the way in goals with nine in the first eight games. Lupul meanwhile, has re-energized his career in Toronto early this fall, totalling four goals and nine points thus far. A host of centres including Tyler Bozak, David Steckel, Matthew Lombardi and Nazem Kadri have lined up alongside the two marksmen, but its been primarily their work together which has spawned success. Connolly has played with the duo sparingly – just the two preseason games – thus making chemistry an early issue to watch. Despite their hot starts, however, Kessel and Lupul should both benefit from Connollys vision and passing ability down the middle – 13 goals, 42 points last season. Anything the pair has done thus far has been self-created, nothing that closely resembles an easy tap-in goal. "There could be some chemistry issues here," said Wilson, "but those guys have taken care of business – [Lupul and Kessel] – pretty much regardless of who their centreman is. "Timmys very smart in the offensive zone and hes got a great shot too, so not only can he pass but hes also a scoring threat. I think over time Timmy will blend in easily with those guys." Connollys presence also allows for much greater balance up front. Wilson can now comfortably slide Bozak onto the third-line – with Lombardi and Matt Frattin on his wings – a role the organization is confident he can play. David Steckel also shifts into a more suitable role, minding the fourth unit with Phillipe Dupuis and Mike Brown. In addition, the Leafs are hopeful that Connolly will help re-invigorate a power-play that has had its share of trouble, in spite of decent production – six goals in 39 opportunities (15.4%). Eventually, hell see time on the penalty kill as well. Adjusting to game speed is likely to be Connollys biggest challenge in the early going. He has not taken part in a game since September 23 – his second exhibition match – and was injured at Mastercard Centre three days later. Having not played at all this season, hell be racing to catch up to the rapid pace of his peers. "No matter what you do the game conditioning is always a little bit different," said Connolly, who has rode the bike and skated intensely for weeks. "Everythings moving that much quicker. Guys are that much quicker, the play happens faster. For me, Im just going to try and go out there and keep my shifts short, short as I can." Wilson was unsure of how many minutes Connolly would be able to handle initially, although something in the 15-17 minute range seems reasonable – also dependent on whether he kills penalties right out of the gate. "Well see how the game goes," said Wilson. "Sometimes a guys great in the first game – hes got all this adrenaline going – and its game two, three, four, five that he struggles in, so well see however hes going and how he feels. Thats my job to communicate and see how hes doing." If Connolly is in fact ready to go on Thursday, the Leafs will be forced to make a roster move with Nazem Kadri likely to be returned to the Marlies. -- James Reimer and Tyler Bozak are also expected in the Leafs lineup on Thursday night. Reimer missed Mondays game in Philadephia with a minor neck injury, but appears likely to start against the Rangers. "Were pretty close," said Reimer, who spent a significant chunk of practice working exclusively with goaltending coach Francois Allaire. "Felt pretty good on the ice, a little rusty right off the bat – its been a couple days – but I feel pretty good." "He did take a significant blow and twisted his neck pretty hard," said Wilson. "Im glad that its not a long-term thing." Bozak meanwhile, has missed the last two games because of a foot injury, but on Wednesday declared himself fit to return against the Rangers.
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nike Roshe One Flyknit Grey and white .com) - Malik Zaire and Everett Golson both saw time under center for Notre Dame, and both helped lead the Irish to a win in the Music City Bowl on Tuesday at LP Field.CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Reds closer Aroldis Chapman threw 25 pitches during batting practice on Tuesday, passing the final test before he can begin a rehabilitation stint in the minors. Chapman likely will pitch at Class A Dayton on Thursday in his first time in a game since suffering a head injury. Hes hoping to be activated after four or five appearances in the minors. "It went very good," Chapman said, with trainer Tomas Vera translating. "All my pitches were the way I wanted." The left-hander was hit on the forehead by a line drive during a spring training game in Arizona on March 19. He had a plate inserted above his left eye and nose to help fractures heal. Chapman was one of eight Reds who opened the season on the disabled list, the most in the majors. Jonathan Broxton is closing games in hhis absence.dddddddddddd Chapman has thrown batting practice without a protective screen. He said theres no concern when he sees a batter hit one of his pitches. "I feel normal," he said. "I feel the way I was before I got hit with the ball." Manager Bryan Price thinks Chapman needs only a few games in the minors to get ready for his return. Chapman suggested four or five would be sufficient. Chapman threw the equivalent of one inning to Reds hitters, working more on his changeup and slider. "I know I have the fastball," he said. "Im feeling I have the fastball. Im working with the breaking pitches." Outfielder Roger Bernadina saw a couple of fastballs at the outset from Chapman and couldnt connect. "I didnt see the first two," Bernadina said.
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Topic: regaining strength zapped by the viral infection. (Read 2856 times)
