nfreeman Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Because you have nothing. Saying Connolly "played in all three zones" is like saying Briere "played in the defensive zone." We all watched Tim Connolly play, it wasn't until recently when he realized that he may have to show something to other teams if he wanted another payday did he decide to play in the defensive zone. Offensively he was a perimeter player best on the rush. One on one is where he excelled. He wasn't much of a fore-checker and had very little physicality to his game. The Legend of Tim Connolly was spawned based on games he didn't play and it now appears his signing with the Leafs has accelerated it's growth. :doh: I think in general most of us felt that it was time for TC to move on, but the bolded part is nonsense. TC has been a mainstay on the PK for the Sabres since the lockout. TC wasn't good enough or reliable enough to be a #1 or #2 center -- and it was management's fault for constructing a team that relied on him to fill that role. But we shouldn't pretend that he didn't contribute a lot of things for this team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MillerLight30 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 The way I view this is he can start off fresh in Toronto and we can start off fresh too knowing that Pegula will get what he, Darcy and Lindy think will be assets on this young team which I think will win the cup within Terry's 3-year plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MillerLight30 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 I also have to agree with XBenedict, Connolly played a bigger role than many of us feel he did on the P.K. During his the last few seasons, Connolly played more of a defensive-minded game and played a huge role in Buffalo being the 2nd-best PK team in the NHL during the 09/10' season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RazielSabre Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 I also have to agree with XBenedict, Connolly played a bigger role than many of us feel he did on the P.K. During his the last few seasons, Connolly played more of a defensive-minded game and played a huge role in Buffalo being the 2nd-best PK team in the NHL during the 09/10' season. Fair play, I can totally accept the point (and agree). He was brought in for offense though so I can understand why so many see him as a disappointment. I have a feeling thats not going to change with Toronto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 I don't think anyone is really hard on Connolly because of his PK game. He was a good PK'er on a good PK team. But he was deficient where we needed him most (and where he had the most promise), on offence. Sometimes his zone entries were beautiful. But all too frequently his zone entries resulted in turnovers. We all griped and bitched about his penchant on the PP for turning over the puck. He was bound and determined to carry the puck into the O zone even when faced with 4 guys lined up at the blue line to repel him. And he had a real talent for giving the puck away along the blue line. And he was famous (infamous?) for one too many passes instead of shooting. Was he poor in all 3 zones as Deluca mentions? I don't recall him as being terribly strong in the D zone. At least not at even strength. Maybe it was a case of when you aren't noticed you are doing well? Certainly possible. His neutral zone play was hit or miss IMO. He was skilled enough to impress in open ice but I really don't recall him causing opponents to turn the puck over. I think he played well when he wasn't challenged. But if you put a body on him to pressure him he was prone to turnovers. And that effects all three zones of play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROC Sabres Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 And now the debate begins - Who do we hate more, Drury or Connolly? Connolly, hands down for me. Drury was more of a let down cuz he didn't stay with the team. Connolly was a let down because he got a huge raise after playing just over a seasons worth of games in the 3 year contract he had(and I've always questioned his connection to Quinn). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 I don't think anyone is really hard on Connolly because of his PK game. He was a good PK'er on a good PK team. But he was deficient where we needed him most (and where he had the most promise), on offence. Sometimes his zone entries were beautiful. But all too frequently his zone entries resulted in turnovers. We all griped and bitched about his penchant on the PP for turning over the puck. He was bound and determined to carry the puck into the O zone even when faced with 4 guys lined up at the blue line to repel him. And he had a real talent for giving the puck away along the blue line. And he was famous (infamous?) for one too many passes instead of shooting. Was he poor in all 3 zones as Deluca mentions? I don't recall him as being terribly strong in the D zone. At least not at even strength. Maybe it was a case of when you aren't noticed you are doing well? Certainly possible. His neutral zone play was hit or miss IMO. He was skilled enough to impress in open ice but I really don't recall him causing opponents to turn the puck over. I think he played well when he wasn't challenged. But if you put a body on him to pressure him he was prone to turnovers. And that effects all three zones of play. Thanks for restoring some balance here. Now that he's not a Sabre, I think it will be somewhat easier to look at him objectively, provided his play doesn't decline further. Provided there is no dropoff: He becomes the Leafs best PK forward. (not hard - Bozack is probably their best), he becomes a first line center (which makes the Kessle line less of a liability defensively), and he'll probably help them establish possession and offensive zone time. And he'll continue to be on the PP units. Now - he was as much of a booby prize as a consolation prize for the Leafs offseason...but it probably buys them enough time for Kadri to develop more. Additional reflection: Having lots of cap room doesn't mean much, unless A) there is a willingness to spend it. B) There is a deep UFA class (which there wasn't.) There is no way Connolly will be able to play up to his contract. But - it really doesn't matter either, at least not for the Buds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of Dwight Drane Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 I love reading this stuff.... Connolly was given $4.5 million to be a playmaking center. Praising him for some penalty killing at this point after the amount of money he has raked in is like saying, "Well, you know the fat girl is probably good for a BJ." If you want a defensive specialist, you can go get one for $800K who will hit and be a presence on and off the ice. Connolly is a junk bond in default. Burke needed to park his cash into something, and lucky for Tim there really wasn't much out there to compete for the cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dEnnis the Menace Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 I love reading this stuff.... Connolly was given $4.5 million to be a playmaking center. Praising him for some penalty killing at this point after the amount of money he has raked in is like saying, "Well, you know the fat girl is probably good for a BJ." If you want a defensive specialist, you can go get one for $800K who will hit and be a presence on and off the ice. Connolly is a junk bond in default. Burke needed to park his cash into something, and lucky for Tim there really wasn't much out there to compete for the cash. Well that's one of looking at it :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 I love reading this stuff.... Connolly was given $4.5 million to be a playmaking center. Not exclusively, I think Dudley knows what they are getting. Praising him for some penalty killing at this point after the amount of money he has raked in is like saying, "Well, you know the fat girl is probably good for a BJ." If you want a defensive specialist, you can go get one for $800K who will hit and be a presence on and off the ice. Not one that will get 40 to 50 points. Connolly is a junk bond in default. Burke needed to park his cash into something, and lucky for Tim there really wasn't much out there to compete for the cash. More like the purchase of a used Honda. However, what I really wonder about is if his noggin is insurable. Connolly's contract with Buffalo wasn't insurable because of past concussions. Not that it matters much to Toronto, but I really am curious if they found an underwriter for his Toronto contract. If the contract is un-insurable, then the 4.5 is presumably a discounted price. Which would make it even more bizarre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of Dwight Drane Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Not exclusively, I think Dudley knows what they are getting. Not one that will get 40 to 50 points. More like the purchase of a used Honda. However, what I really wonder about is if his noggin is insurable. Connolly's contract with Buffalo wasn't insurable because of past concussions. Not that it matters much to Toronto, but I really am curious if they found an underwriter for his Toronto contract. If the contract is un-insurable, then the 4.5 is presumably a discounted price. Which would make it even more bizarre. I meant his time in Buffalo. Sure, he isn't a disaster for an NHL player, but he was for what he was brought in here for...and kept for. You can say Tim Connolly was the single biggest reason for the disaster this team became after July 1st. If he wasn't around and so beloved by management....maybe they would have been more proactive in keeping Briere. By counting on him, it softened the pressure in management's own head to keep a real difference maker. Not only did they let them walk, but Connolly came nowhere close to being a 1a/1b type of player he was pretty close to being paid like. He just represents an era of failed promises and failed production on so many fronts. Sometimes ridding yourself of an object like that can do wonders. Heck...we debate if Roy being gone was a godsend last year, and he was playing the best and most responsible hockey he has since being a rookie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 I meant his time in Buffalo. Sure, he isn't a disaster for an NHL player, but he was for what he was brought in here for...and kept for. You can say Tim Connolly was the single biggest reason for the disaster this team became after July 1st. 2007? I don't tend to invest players with that kind of meaning. It's hard to predict health in this game. If ever a player needed a change of scenery it was probably him. The Sabres re-signed him before the 2009 UFA Market.....the only other UFA option was Sundin IIRC. ( Montreal traded for Gomez...) He's had the benifit of some real sellers markets. Connolly and Buffalo have moved on. I was hoping he'd end up in Minnesota or the KHL frankly. He'll be on Hockey Night in Canada more than ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleven Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 2007? I don't tend to invest players with that kind of meaning. It's hard to predict health in this game. If ever a player needed a change of scenery it was probably him. The Sabres re-signed him before the 2009 UFA Market.....the only other UFA option was Sundin IIRC. ( Montreal traded for Gomez...) He's had the benifit of some real sellers markets. Connolly and Buffalo have moved on. I was hoping he'd end up in Minnesota or the KHL frankly. He'll be on Hockey Night in Canada more than ever. As a guest in the press box? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 As a guest in the press box? Donate $1 to charity every time Don Cherry says his name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braedon Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 2007? I don't tend to invest players with that kind of meaning. It's hard to predict health in this game. If ever a player needed a change of scenery it was probably him. The Sabres re-signed him before the 2009 UFA Market.....the only other UFA option was Sundin IIRC. ( Montreal traded for Gomez...) He's had the benifit of some real sellers markets. Connolly and Buffalo have moved on. I was hoping he'd end up in Minnesota or the KHL frankly. He'll be on Hockey Night in Canada more than ever. Sigh...I fear you may be right. This guy will continue to piss me off even though he's sans Buffalo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Sigh...I fear you may be right. This guy will continue to piss me off even though he's sans Buffalo. usually HNIC shows the Leafs about 20 times a year. Tim and Clarkey will be on more than the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RazielSabre Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Poll on TSN.ca says people think he will make almost as big an impact as Eric Cole. Well we'll just see lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Poll on TSN.ca says people think he will make almost as big an impact as Eric Cole. Well we'll just see lol. I'm curious what Cole will look like without Staal. He should be mailing Staal 10% of that contract. :beer: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RazielSabre Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 I'm curious what Cole will look like without Staal. He should be mailing Staal 10% of that contract. :beer: Historically his not put up bad numbers, I don't think this'll improve Montreals chances much though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Historically his not put up bad numbers, I don't think this'll improve Montreals chances much though. He has a reputation for struggling when not on Staal's line. They just seem to click. It'll be interesting to see how it works. Generally I don't like the deal from the Habs perspective. But they did need a little more grit, they'll get that. I'm just not convinced the scoring will follow him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerme1 Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Connolly and Buffalo have moved on. Can this be the end of this thread? He's a freaking Leaf now. It will give me greater satisfaction cheering when he coughs up a puck :unsure: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RazielSabre Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Can this be the end of this thread? He's a freaking Leaf now. It will give me greater satisfaction cheering when he coughs up a puck :unsure: You used to enjoy him coughing up the puck as a Sabre? ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spndnchz Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 He's all "I loved b-lo". Only burning candle at one end Timmay? http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=374374 I hope Kassian is up for a Toronto game and crushes him. May seem harsh, but too little too late Timmay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesportsbuff Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 He's all "I loved b-lo". Only burning candle at one end Timmay? http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=374374 I hope Kassian is up for a Toronto game and crushes him. May seem harsh, but too little too late Timmay. what's wrong with him saying good things about Buffalo? he never said he hated it here. i for one can't wait to see him flourish in toronto. hope he doesn't beat the Sabres but i won't be shocked if he has a good year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RazielSabre Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 He's all "I loved b-lo". Only burning candle at one end Timmay? http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=374374 I hope Kassian is up for a Toronto game and crushes him. May seem harsh, but too little too late Timmay. No I gotta say I'm with sportsbuff on this one, nothing wrong with him being nice about Buffalo, makes perfect sense. I'm sure there is a little PR there but I'd rather he say positive rather than negative things, especially if we want a better rep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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