Quoting: MoreHitzSeider
You earn your ice time by forcing the coach to play you based on your play. He's never stood out to me. Granted I don't see many Tampa games. Just Playoffs and when they're playing Detroit or Toronto.
Cooper never gives young players a chance, it's one of the main reasons Tampa lost JAM, Verheaghe, Raddysh, and probabaly Colton. Now in some cases, Tampa had the depth ahead of them and they wanted a better opportunity elsewhere, or were traded and now may get that role, but the point remains, Cooper rarely, if ever, gives many younger players a real chance e over one of his "boys".
Since the depth is.no longer as prominent, it seemed as though Colton amd ljmely ABB(or another Crunch F) were likely to get increased time, but prioritizing Jeannot ended any cheaper e of keeping g Cton or Killorn I guess, so ABB could definitely be in line, if he earns it. If not, there are others(Merela, Goncalves, maybe Esmunds or Fortier), but I see ABB as the frontrunner. He could go on the 3rd line if they go with a faster line that has more scoring g touch, amd I figure there will be some line.blensi g early on regardless of who gets the spot.