Connolly and Sabres close to deal

[BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan]

Sources told TSN's Darren Dreger that the Sabres and Connolly are making progress on a new deal, but that the discussions are "at a delicate stage."

Meanwhile, The Buffalo News' Bucky Gleason writes that Connolly has "almost no intention" of re-signing with Buffalo, "regardless of what he has told the organization, or relayed to the media." Several NHL sources are cited by Gleason.

www.wgr55.com

I'm going with Dreger he seems to know more about the NHL and he knows his :hockey: :sorry: ****y Gleason.

[Dr. Lecter]

Here is the actual story by Dreger. They are not close, but are still talking.

Although sources say progress was made during discussions on Tuesday, the two sides still haven't agreed on the term of the extension with options, including both a two and three year term between $4 and 5 million per year.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=269702&lid=sublink01&lpos=headlines_main

[Dr. Lecter]

• Several NHL sources in recent days have suggested that center Tim Connolly has almost no intention of re-signing with the Sabres, regardless of what he has told the organization or relayed to the media. It appears the Sabres have almost no choice but to trade him before 3 p. m. today.
The Sabres are hesitant to get locked into a long-term deal with Connolly for big money based on injury problems, and you can’t blame them. His history of concussions, not to mention various other ailments, is a concern for all teams. He has missed about two-thirds of his games during a three-year, $8.7 million deal.

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/596688.html

[clumping platelets]

:dizzy:

[RockStar36]

Holy ****.

If he turns down something in the neighborhood of 4mil a year, trade him.

[trapezeus]

trading connolly for some good future talent isn't the worst idea. think of mogilny leaving for Peca. We were enraged, but it lead us to the first stanley cup since 75. So as much as i love connolly's hands and power play contributions, if there is a team willing to overspend and get us all the tools we need for next yer and beyond, i'm all for moving the guy.

[Philagape]

TSN says Connolly has left the arena, whatever that means

[clumping platelets]

http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=615611


Connolly left HSBC arena

[clumping platelets]

:mad:

[Dr. Lecter]

If they offerred a 2 year deal at over 4 million per, I see nothing they did wrong.

Now trade him, unless they use him as a rental.

[User Manuel]

Good.

[clumping platelets]

I like the deal that was rumored in TBN......Connolly to Chicago for Wisniewski

[Dr. Lecter]

Unconfirmed rumor - Timmy signed an extension before he left. From the 4th period. Not always an accurate source.

[Philagape]

Maybe he injured himself signing the contract

[chernobylwraiths]

If they resigned him, I think it is a bad move at that much money.

[THATHURMANATOR]

If they resigned him, I think it is a bad move at that much money.
Wait they now have kept a player for good money and we aren't happy with that?

Not sure he has signed though.

[clumping platelets]

Maybe he injured himself signing the contract


:doh:

[RockStar36]

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/buf090304.html

[Philagape]

Optional practice, several players not there

[hydro]

Optional practice, several players not there

So why go to the Arena and leave without going to practice? :scratch:

[Michael82]

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/buf090304.html
Interesting. If they keep Timmy, then I don't see them moving many other guys. I think it'll be like last year where Darcy only made a couple small moves and one of them will probably involve getting a backup goalie. The other one should definitely be trading Max for a bag of pucks. :up:

[Michael82]

So why go to the Arena and leave without going to practice? :scratch:
To sign the new deal? :idunno:

[Michael82]

Here's the latest from TSN....



Sources tell TSN the Buffalo Sabres have tabled a two-year contract extension at better than $4 million per season to keep forward Tim Connolly (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/?name=tim+connolly) in Buffalo.
Although the offer is considered to be strong, it may not be quite good enough to get the deal done without further negotiations.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=269702&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl

[RockStar36]

WGR said that stuff from TSN before thefourthperiod reported the extension, although I guess now reports are that he didn't sign. This is a headache.

[Dr. Lecter]

There is also a rumor that Stafford was pulled off the ice.

If they trade Stafford I will want to murder Darcy.

[chernobylwraiths]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=269702&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl

says the offer has been tabled

But might not be good enough for Connolly. 2 yrs. 4 mil apiece

[chernobylwraiths]

damn too late sorry for the duplicate

[chernobylwraiths]

Wait they now have kept a player for good money and we aren't happy with that?

Not sure he has signed though.

They kept a good/often injured player for a lot of money.

No, I would not be happy with that.

[Philagape]

TSN says he's agreed to a contract 2 years, 4.5 per

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

deal done

[Dr. Lecter]

2 years, 9 million deal

According to TSN. No link yet.

[Dr. Lecter]

Too much money, imo.

[Michael82]

There is also a rumor that Stafford was pulled off the ice.

If they trade Stafford I will want to murder Darcy.
why the hell would he trade Stafford?!?! WTF! :mad:

[SabreEleven]

There is also a rumor that Stafford was pulled off the ice.

If they trade Stafford I will want to murder Darcy.

Depends on who they get back.

[Dr. Lecter]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=269702&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl

Well, they are trying and are keeping the talented players.

[Michael82]

Too much money, imo.

That is definitely too much money for a guy that hasn't done **** in the last 10 games and missed more time in the last two seasons that he played. :ill:

[SabreEleven]

What if they get Sidney Crosby back for him? then you won't be so mad...Come on Darch, pull the trigger, he would be a perfect fit.

[Michael82]

What if they get Sidney Crosby back for him? then you won't be so mad...Come on Darch, pull the trigger, he would be a perfect fit.
:rofl: :lmao: :roflmao:

Pass some of that weed over here....

[SabreEleven]

Connolly is only 27? He seems older than that.

[Michael82]

Connolly is only 27? He seems older than that.
Maybe it's because the 1 and half seasons that he missed feels more like 5. :up:

[Dr. Lecter]

Again, the Stafford thing is a RUMOR . No confirmation and he could have left the ice on his own, as it is optional.

[RockStar36]

Eklund rambled on about Stafford being traded back in January. He has been a popular topic among rumors, but it wouldn't make much sense to trade him. He is only a RFA at the end of the year.

[RockStar36]

I do like how the Sabres wrap up Connolly and people don't like it, but if they let him go people wouldn't like it. It's the perfect example of the Sabres never pleasing everyone.

[Michael82]

Eklund rambled on about Stafford being traded back in January. He has been a popular topic among rumors, but it wouldn't make much sense to trade him. He is only a RFA at the end of the year.
unless he is part of a bigger trade package.... :idunno:

[chernobylwraiths]

Connolly two years $9 million!? :ill:

[Michael82]

I do like how the Sabres wrap up Connolly and people don't like it, but if they let him go people wouldn't like it. It's the perfect example of the Sabres never pleasing everyone.
I think that they overpaid a bit, but I'm glad he's back. I am also happy that it's a short term deal in case he gets hurt again....

[RockStar36]

As long as he stays healthy, which can be a big if, they got a good deal. The guy is practically a point a game player.

[OpIv37]

Eklund rambled on about Stafford being traded back in January. He has been a popular topic among rumors, but it wouldn't make much sense to trade him. He is only a RFA at the end of the year.

well it depends on the compensation. For the right price, anyone on this team except Miller, Vanek and maybe Roy is expendable. However, if the Sabres trade him for prospects, it means we're sellers and the management has given up on this season.

[OpIv37]

I do like how the Sabres wrap up Connolly and people don't like it, but if they let him go people wouldn't like it. It's the perfect example of the Sabres never pleasing everyone.

Sorry but this is a gross oversimplification.

First, this is a no-win situation for the Sabres. If they keep him, they take a gamble on a guy who hasn't proven that he can stay healthy. If they trade him, they risk giving up on a very good player. There is no way the Sabres can make a good decision on this one.

Second, there are other reasons for people to like or dislike the decision, like the cost. Is $4.5 million a season too high? I think it is. If it were $3.5m or even $4m, it would be harder to criticize. What if they traded him to a team that turned around and signed him for $5m? It's too simplistic to say "Keeping him was the right move" or "Trading him was the right move." There are other factors at play.

And finally, this FO hasn't exactly earned the benefit of the doubt. What was the last move they made that worked out?