The Skill could be returning this week!!!!!

[LabattBlue]

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabresnh...ory/539710.html

"The Sabres are expected to get center Tim Connolly (ribs) back sometime this week, which would likely mean shuffling around their forwards.

 

If Connolly is not available next week, they could promote Mark Mancari, Tim Kennedy or Nathan Gerbe from Portland. Mancari seems the likely candidate because he plays mostly on the right side.

 

Defenseman Craig Rivet also is expected to return. He watched the game in the press box with healthy scratches Andrew Peters and Nathan Paetsch."

[deluca67]

They have put together a couple of wins. Why in the hell would the Sabres even contemplate disrupting the lineup for a game or two which is when he will get hurt again.

 

Send "The Skill" home for good and let the team move forward. Send Max with him. They can hang out and play with each others Wii.

[bob_sauve28]

Ok, let's do this! It's time for the Tim Connelly health bet. How long will he stay in the line up? You can either predict he doesn't make it through a certain number of games, or predict how many games he plays the rest of the season. Up to you. I'm going WAY out on a limb and predict he will play every game the rest of the season. Yes, I understand that the person that says he won't make it through the first game would have a better chance at winning than me, but I just want to be optimistic. :)

 

Let's have the predictions!

[deluca67]

Ok, let's do this! It's time for the Tim Connelly health bet. How long will he stay in the line up? You can either predict he doesn't make it through a certain number of games, or predict how many games he plays the rest of the season. Up to you. I'm going WAY out on a limb and predict he will play every game the rest of the season. Yes, I understand that the person that says he won't make it through the first game would have a better chance at winning than me, but I just want to be optimistic. :)

 

Let's have the predictions!

Three games and the Sabres will lose all three. This is the worst time for Tiny Timmy to decide he might want to play. The team is in a tough stretch of games and to disrupt the lineup because Timmy's yeast infection has cleared up is ridiculous.

[PASabreFan]

Three games and the Sabres will lose all three. This is the worst time for Tiny Timmy to decide he might want to play. The team is in a tough stretch of games and to disrupt the lineup because Timmy's yeast infection has cleared up is ridiculous.

 

Connolly will be the cause of the Sabres losing all three games? The Sabres have a winning record with Connolly in the lineup this season. Connolly was better than a point a game player in those games. OK, everyone hurry up and tell me he played in only six games.

 

Let's go break DeLuca's rib and see if his inability to get out of bed -- let alone play professional hockey -- can merely be attributed to his "monthly visitor." ink, you live nearby right? This seems right up your alley.

[Hawerchuk]

Me personally, I will welcome Connolly back into the lineup. When he stays healthy he is a good asset. Yeah, its a big "IF" but they guy produces points. Unlike Afino. If anyone should be dumped it should be Max.

[RR61]

Everytime I hear this I take it with a large grain of salt. And if (IF) Tim Connolly returns to the lineup, I assume it will be for a few games. And as soon as the Sabres get used to having him on the power play, he will get hurt again. That's my prediction. I will be happily surprised if he lasts more than 5 games.

[carpandean]

I'd welcome Timmy back more if I had a guarantee that he will stay healthy. A few games at a time is distracting. He fills a hole in our roster, but he also creates it every time that he goes out.

 

I predicted in another thread that he will get a season-ending injury in the March 4th game just hours after Darcy passes up on signing another center at the deadline.

[SabresFan526]

Well, as far as I can tell, the only reason Timmy may come back this week is because since Max is now hurt, Kaleta pretty seriously hurt, and Gerbe and Mancari in Portland, there is a hole in the lineup that Timmy fills that would otherwise go to Peters. However, given the two teams we play this week, I'd rather see Peters in the lineup against Ottawa and the Rangers than Timmy. Mainly because I want to see Peters or someone on Buffalo beat the living tar out of Chris Neil and or Colton Orr this week. And, also because I have zero faith that Connolly will make it past this week.

 

Either way, IF Timmy does return to the lineup, I don't think Lindy should do anything to upset the lineup. Basically, just insert Connolly in the roster spot that Max would have taken on the fourth line. For Lindy to not upset the lines with Timmy, I'd imagine the following:

 

Vanek-Roy-Stafford

Ellis-Gaustad-Pominville

Hecht-Mair-Kotalik

Paille-Connolly-MacArthur

 

I see no reason to upset the lines if Connolly returns, just insert Connolly in Max's spot and have him play on the PP and PK, and that's enough for me. No need for any more ice time than 5-6 minutes on the fourth line with time on the PP and PK, and that's enough for him to have an impact and not long enough to risk any more injury.

 

I really hope Timmy can stay healthy because he is really an effective player and an exciting player when he plays, but he's so injury prone that he can never showcase that talent. Unfortunately, my better judgment indicates that he will be gone within the next 10 games for another 25 game stretch.

[cilevel]

Well, as far as I can tell, the only reason Timmy may come back this week is because since Max is now hurt, Kaleta pretty seriously hurt, and Gerbe and Mancari in Portland, there is a hole in the lineup that Timmy fills that would otherwise go to Peters. However, given the two teams we play this week, I'd rather see Peters in the lineup against Ottawa and the Rangers than Timmy. Mainly because I want to see Peters or someone on Buffalo beat the living tar out of Chris Neil and or Colton Orr this week. And, also because I have zero faith that Connolly will make it past this week.

 

Either way, IF Timmy does return to the lineup, I don't think Lindy should do anything to upset the lineup. Basically, just insert Connolly in the roster spot that Max would have taken on the fourth line. For Lindy to not upset the lines with Timmy, I'd imagine the following:

 

Vanek-Roy-Stafford

Ellis-Gaustad-Pominville

Hecht-Mair-Kotalik

Paille-Connolly-MacArthur

 

I see no reason to upset the lines if Connolly returns, just insert Connolly in Max's spot and have him play on the PP and PK, and that's enough for me. No need for any more ice time than 5-6 minutes on the fourth line with time on the PP and PK, and that's enough for him to have an impact and not long enough to risk any more injury.

 

I really hope Timmy can stay healthy because he is really an effective player and an exciting player when he plays, but he's so injury prone that he can never showcase that talent. Unfortunately, my better judgment indicates that he will be gone within the next 10 games for another 25 game stretch.

Not to mention TC has a target on his back and players will take a run at him any chance they get. I'm not condoning that behavior or implying it is an acceptable human characteristic, but it is one he has to (unfortunately) live with. Guys will hit him as hard as they can, as often as they can, and take advantage of TC in any kind of a vulnerable position to take the skill he brings out of the game.

[nucci]

He will suffer a "setback" in practice and be out indefinitely.

[Lethbridge Broncos]

Great to have Connolly back. He is instant offense. He gets injured because he doesn't protect himself. Far too many times he watches his passes, drifts around with his head down and doesn't seem to realize that when he is along the boards, he needs to make himself small and off the boards before he gets smacked. In junior, he never got touched and danced around like the queen of sheba. He wil always get labled as he forgets to protect himself. Regardless, hopefully he can give the club some stong efforts. The PP jsut got a LOT better.

 

 

 

 

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabresnh...ory/539710.html

"The Sabres are expected to get center Tim Connolly (ribs) back sometime this week, which would likely mean shuffling around their forwards.

 

If Connolly is not available next week, they could promote Mark Mancari, Tim Kennedy or Nathan Gerbe from Portland. Mancari seems the likely candidate because he plays mostly on the right side.

 

Defenseman Craig Rivet also is expected to return. He watched the game in the press box with healthy scratches Andrew Peters and Nathan Paetsch."

[darksabre]

Better to have The Skill back than Max sitting on the bench the whole game.

[deluca67]

Connolly will be the cause of the Sabres losing all three games? The Sabres have a winning record with Connolly in the lineup this season. Connolly was better than a point a game player in those games. OK, everyone hurry up and tell me he played in only six games.

 

Let's go break DeLuca's rib and see if his inability to get out of bed -- let alone play professional hockey -- can merely be attributed to his "monthly visitor." ink, you live nearby right? This seems right up your alley.

I'm sure Timmy's "broken rib" was serious. :lol: We all have our opinions. You chose to believe that Timmy merely has bad luck and has run into a series of major injuries. I chose to question his willingness to play with discomfort or pain.

 

Will Tiny Timmy be the cause of all three loses? Probably not. I do believe the constant in and out of the lineup hurt this team last season and will be a detriment this season. When Timmy "broke his rib" or whatever it was, that should have been the end of it and he should have been put on IR. The day of Timmy being a asset to this team is long gone. The Sabres need to eat the contract and end this fiasco.

[Crestwood]

Hey, if he provides the offensive punch he's supposed to and keeps Peters watching from the press box, I'm all for it. On the other note, this team has missed the presence of a healthy Rivet for a while. I'd like to see Butler stay, but Rivet's return is a real shot in the arm for this defense.

[deluca67]

Better to have The Skill back than Max sitting on the bench the whole game.

Is it? Why? Fans wonder if Connolly will make it to the next game. I would bet the players wonder if he can make it to the next shift.

[nfreeman]

They have put together a couple of wins. Why in the hell would the Sabres even contemplate disrupting the lineup for a game or two which is when he will get hurt again.

 

Send "The Skill" home for good and let the team move forward. Send Max with him. They can hang out and play with each others Wii.

I agree with not disrupting the lineup, although removing Max from the lineup probably wouldn't be disruptive. Also, I think they want to trade at least one of them at the deadline, and that they won't be able to get anything in return without playing them between now and then.

 

Three games and the Sabres will lose all three. This is the worst time for Tiny Timmy to decide he might want to play. The team is in a tough stretch of games and to disrupt the lineup because Timmy's yeast infection has cleared up is ridiculous.

very nice.

 

Everytime I hear this I take it with a large grain of salt. And if (IF) Tim Connolly returns to the lineup, I assume it will be for a few games. And as soon as the Sabres get used to having him on the power play, he will get hurt again. That's my prediction. I will be happily surprised if he lasts more than 5 games.

that he was playing

This has the ring of truth.

 

I'd welcome Timmy back more if I had a guarantee that he will stay healthy. A few games at a time is distracting. He fills a hole in our roster, but he also creates it every time that he goes out.

Well said. This is why I'd rather just unload him now if we could get anything for him.

 

Great to have Connolly back. He is instant offense. He gets injured because he doesn't protect himself. Far too many times he watches his passes, drifts around with his head down and doesn't seem to realize that when he is along the boards, he needs to make himself small and off the boards before he gets smacked. In junior, he never got touched and danced around like the queen of sheba. He wil always get labled as he forgets to protect himself. Regardless, hopefully he can give the club some stong efforts. The PP jsut got a LOT better.

I really thought as I was watching his last game (vs CBJ) that he was playing very recklessly the entire game and it was only a matter of time before he was going to get nailed with a kill shot. It was almost like he wanted to get destroyed. I also don't think he wears a particularly well-padded helmet or uses a mouthguard. Bottom line is that I don't think he's going to change and as a result every season is going to be like this. That's why, even though I agree he is instant offense (and so great to watch), I think we have to unload him, get what we can get, and move on.

[bflobarry]

You guys are tough! Do you think Connolly wants to get hurt? Do you think he enjoys rehabing while his mates are playing w/out him? Of course he gets injured A LOT. But, he's arguably our most skilled player, and for sure our only real #1 center, skill wise. Other than he and Vanek, we have a bunch of 3rd and 4th line players. Roy and Pommer are second line guys, but that's it. Everyone else is 3rd line at best. If Connolly could stay healthy, and I know that a real big "if", he is a significant upgrade to this team, particularly on the power play. Have you been watching the suddenly feeble Hecht and the give away king Alice Kotalik manning our power play? Ouch! I look forward to Tim upgrading our team's very uneven play upon his return.

[R_Dudley]

Okay first let me say it doesn't matter what I think because DR and Lindy are going to do what it is they do and I think that means the Skill and Rivet will be in whether I like it or not.

 

That said;

 

-max is out with a groin so if the skill is ready I see him getting those minutes right off the bat. If they ease him in, use him as a powerplay and FO specialist I think it can and will be a positive once he gets into game shape.

-Rivet if ready can't hurt especially if Lindy will give Marlboro man a couple games off but it better not come at the expense of Butler's ice time because according to lindy's comments about how ice time will be handed out Butler deserves more not less.

 

Tough road stretch of games coming up including some back to backs so we need to try and get some balanced ice time across all lines and defensive pairings including lalime getting in some games, we need some bench strength because there will be injuries(not just the skill).

 

Lindy in the past seasons did juggle the line up at times like a magic man, e.g. when to sit some one, have one watch from press box, etc... so if handled correctly I am going to take this as a glass half full positive for now anyways...

[Kristian]

-Rivet if ready can't hurt especially if Lindy will give Marlboro man a couple games off but it better not come at the expense of Butler's ice time because according to lindy's comments about how ice time will be handed out Butler deserves more not less.

 

If Butler sits for anyone at this point in time, I honestly think I'll lose it completely.

 

When was the last time a call-up blueliner looked this good right off the bat?

[PASabreFan]

I'm sure Timmy's "broken rib" was serious. :lol: We all have our opinions. You chose to believe that Timmy merely has bad luck and has run into a series of major injuries. I chose to question his willingness to play with discomfort or pain.

 

You can question whatever you want, but is there any basis in reality to what you're saying? Only Tim knows the answer. How can you get in his head? The fact he's come back so many times seems to contradict your theory.

[LabattBlue]

If Butler sits for anyone at this point in time, I honestly think I'll lose it completely.

 

When was the last time a call-up blueliner looked this good right off the bat?

I agree with you, but expect Butler and not the Marlboro Man or any of the other member of the "elite defense" to come out of the lineup when Rivet laces the skates back up.

 

Get ready to lose it! ;)

[LabattBlue]

Ok, let's do this! It's time for the Tim Connelly health bet. How long will he stay in the line up? You can either predict he doesn't make it through a certain number of games, or predict how many games he plays the rest of the season. Up to you. I'm going WAY out on a limb and predict he will play every game the rest of the season. Yes, I understand that the person that says he won't make it through the first game would have a better chance at winning than me, but I just want to be optimistic. :)

 

Let's have the predictions!

I'm not willing to go as far as you with my prediction, but nobody can continue to be that fragile. I'm guessing he plays at least 30 of the remaining 43 games(assuming he is actually ready to play sometime this week).

[Lethbridge Broncos]

#19 takes a lot of nasty shots. there is no doubt that he has been injured -- and anyone would be injured if they took those shots. with that said, and like i said before, he puts himself in bad positions. on the mike fisher concussion hit, he should have known that was coming once he crossed the nuetral zone where fisher had been tagging guys along the boards all series long. fisher was marking guys and tracking them down everyshift. Connoly ignored that threeat. in the scott nichols cheap shot hit -- TIM may have been well advised to know that Nichol was a cheap shot artist --- and that he better watch after plays and passes leave his stick -- as Nichols preys on those situations. Everyone in the NHL knows that nichols is a cheap rat bastard. Connoly gets on the ice and ignores that.

 

In general, Connolly simply drifts into high traffic areas without thinking about the consequences. those types of players usually have short career. the guys who 'bow' up after every whistle and have their heads' on a shivel and fear their own shaddows' (gerrard gallant, doug gilmour, dino cicarrelli, derek roy, rick vaive, etc) usually have 15-20 year careers.

[Bmwolf21]

He will suffer a "setback" in practice and be out indefinitely.

Very possible Here's what I posted in the "Gerbe Goes Back" thread:

 

Sounds about right...we're due for another handful of games where The Skill gets everyone's hopes up by teasing us with what could be, before he takes a freak shot to the [insert new Tim Connolly injury area HERE] and misses another 20-25 games, all while we bemoan the fact that we don't have a legit no.2 center.