At 1-6 the Chrome are trying to find an edge anywhere they can. This week's roster sees first round draft pick Sam Handley scratched, the return of Connor Farrell at the stripe, and our first glimpse of Cole Williams. The question remains, will it be enough?

Connor Farrell Returns

Connor Farrell is excellent at winning clamps but all too often those clamp wins have turned into turnovers. He ranks third in faceoff win percentage (70.9%) and is in the top ten for turnovers (13), signaling the highs and lows of his performance this season. Farrell came into the league with a chip on his shoulder. The former DII standout has come into his own as a pro but with two weeks out of the lineup I’d bet that chip is back and bigger than ever. I don’t expect Farrell to waste the opportunity to show the Chrome and the rest of the league that he’s capable of winning a faceoff and taking care of the ball. With the 32-second shot clock that not only means keeping possession, but also moving the ball forward and saving those vital seconds for the offense. 

Sam Handley Scratched

It’s normal for a rookie to go through an adjustment period at the pro level. However, being the first round pick means that you’re expected to find your groove and make an impact sooner than later. We’ve seen glimpses of greatness this season but with only 11 points through seven games, Handley’s been a tad underwhelming. There’s no doubt that we’ll see him on the roster again someday, I see this as a coach giving a player an opportunity for rest and mental reset. Until now his mediocre play was tolerated because of the potential we know he has, but if he wants his spot back it’s time to deliver with consistency.