The Lightning are counting on Connolly to not only make the team this season, but to also battle for top-nine minutes, reports the Tampa Bay Times. "Obviously it's a big year," Connolly said. "I'm excited. I put the work in this summer. I'm still confident in my game, and I'm really excited to prove to a lot of people that I do belong here." Connolly needs to earn a job, but the reality is that he must pass waivers in order to be sent down. So the Bolts will do whatever it takes to keep him. He has been working out with Steven Stamkos and former NHLer Gary Roberts in Toronto all summer. And he's improved his defensive game to the point where he's no longer just a one-dimensional sniper. There's fantasy value in him if he earns a top-nine gig. Watch camp carefully.