Thoughts on a Connolly re-signing?

[hydro]

Darcy was talking on WGR this morning and they are definitely trying to bring Connolly back for a more of a PK/Defensive role. Thoughts?

I am OK with it as long as it doesn't stop us from getting better at Center. If we get a clear #1 and Connolly is a 3rd or 4th liner that is fine with me.

[THATHURMANATOR]

For a cheap cost sure.

[OpIv37]

don't make me bust out the quote about doing the same thing and expecting different results.

Connolly needs to go.

[hydro]

don't make me bust out the quote about doing the same thing and expecting different results.

Connolly needs to go.

If he was brought back as a #2 or even a #1 I could see your point. They aren't doing the same thing but expecting different results if he comes back cheaper and with a different role.

[OpIv37]

If he was brought back as a #2 or even a #1 I could see your point. They aren't doing the same thing but expecting different results if he comes back cheaper and with a different role.

why would he come back cheaper? And how much cheaper is "cheaper"? This team needs some major pieces still. Getting Regher helps but we definitely need 1 top center and more scoring still, and spending cap money/roster spots on Connolly will not get us there.

[hydro]

why would he come back cheaper? And how much cheaper is "cheaper"? This team needs some major pieces still. Getting Regher helps but we definitely need 1 top center and more scoring still, and spending cap money/roster spots on Connolly will not get us there.

I would say less than 2mil. And like I said before if signing him DOESN'T stop us from getting a top line Center I would be ok with it.

[trapezeus]

connolly's best days are behind him. even as a PK specialist and limited time he will either get injured or go away when you need him most.

he is a mental hurdle for this team. as long as he is on the team, they will not get better. pass on connolly. make him some other team's headache.

[Michael82]

Connolly is a good penalty killer, but I'm sick of him getting hurt, turning over the puck or taking himself out of the play. He needs to leave or things will never change.

[OpIv37]

Connolly is a good penalty killer, but I'm sick of him getting hurt, turning over the puck or taking himself out of the play. He needs to leave or things will never change.

oh come on. We need a guy who can skate the puck into the zone then send a weak blind back-hand pass to two waiting defenders in front of the goal. It's classic hockey strategy.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

I say let it go, there are other centers available that can do what you want and do it better.

[THATHURMANATOR]

If he was brought back as a #2 or even a #1 I could see your point. They aren't doing the same thing but expecting different results if he comes back cheaper and with a different role.
Yeah OP. THINK MAN.

[THATHURMANATOR]

why would he come back cheaper? And how much cheaper is "cheaper"? This team needs some major pieces still. Getting Regher helps but we definitely need 1 top center and more scoring still, and spending cap money/roster spots on Connolly will not get us there.
Do we have to explain this to you?

Because he can't command the same type of money because he is a shell of that former player.

As a # 3 center I am ok with it. I wouldn't mind getting rid of him though.

[OpIv37]

Do we have to explain this to you?

Because he can't command the same type of money because he is a shell of that former player.

As a # 3 center I am ok with it. I wouldn't mind getting rid of him though.

yeah well just because he shouldn't command that type of money doesn't mean he won't. If an agent finds a team that's desperate enough, it'll happen.

If he comes back cheap and is content to be a 3rd line center/ ST guy, then I guess it's not the worst thing that could happen, but a) we better not end up paying $4 mil a year for a 3rd line center and b) my honest opinion is that the team is going to have to move past guys like Connolly if they are ever going to be a legit Cup contender instead of a borderline playoff team.

[SabreEleven]

He'll sign a $1.5 mil contract and Ruff will still put him on the PP because Ruff doesn't know what he is doing when it comes to the PP.

[Philagape]

There must not be one cent of salary cap space used on the tin man.

[Michael82]

I say let it go, there are other centers available that can do what you want and do it better.
Exactly! Hell, I'd rather see the rookies get a chance at his spot than keeping him.

[hydro]

I guess I am just trying to mentally physic myself into it prior to the signing so it will sting less :ill:

[Ebenezer]

I'd bring him back for the vet minimum with the chance of only playing on the PK and checking line - then stash him in Rochester if there are better centers. Until this team signs/trades for other centers he is still better than not having centers on the team. Even if the centers were to be Roy, Adam and Gaustad you need another.

[trapezeus]

i'm going to hold a "why are they still here" bowling tourney with my special guests Tim Connolly and Chris Kelsay.

Thurm who is in support of bringing him back even said, "he's a shell of his former self". That description should never bring you back. Especially when your former self was an underperforming, often injured player. There was one season where connolly was magical, and like a complete baffoon, he put his head down through the center ice area.

If at his best he was still capable of being knocked out, don't you think we should pass on a guy who got injured on a freaking fashion runway? Now we think he'll survive a second season of blocking shots?

I'd rather bring up adam and trust that our deeper defense can help on the PK. and to be honest, lindy has always had a decent PK going in his tenure. TC doesn't make it that much better.

[ddaryl]

naw let him go... bring us someone new and younger

[chernobylwraiths]

Darcy was talking on WGR this morning and they are definitely trying to bring Connolly back for a more of a PK/Defensive role. Thoughts?

I am OK with it as long as it doesn't stop us from getting better at Center. If we get a clear #1 and Connolly is a 3rd or 4th liner that is fine with me.

He should be allowed to go. Someone will pay him some money. Hell, the Rangers signed Kotalik and then Calgary traded for him.

[THATHURMANATOR]

yeah well just because he shouldn't command that type of money doesn't mean he won't. If an agent finds a team that's desperate enough, it'll happen.

If he comes back cheap and is content to be a 3rd line center/ ST guy, then I guess it's not the worst thing that could happen, but a) we better not end up paying $4 mil a year for a 3rd line center and b) my honest opinion is that the team is going to have to move past guys like Connolly if they are ever going to be a legit Cup contender instead of a borderline playoff team.
Fair enough and in that scenario ADIOS SENOR glass jaw.

[Ebenezer]

yeah well just because he shouldn't command that type of money doesn't mean he won't. If an agent finds a team that's desperate enough, it'll happen.

If he comes back cheap and is content to be a 3rd line center/ ST guy, then I guess it's not the worst thing that could happen, but a) we better not end up paying $4 mil a year for a 3rd line center and b) my honest opinion is that the team is going to have to move past guys like Connolly if they are ever going to be a legit Cup contender instead of a borderline playoff team.

I don't see anybody posting that he is the next coming of Perreault.

[Mski]

he was our best center in the playoffs this year... but didnt he get another concussion?

[SkateZilla]

well, this just ruined my day, thanks,

[Ebenezer]

he was our best center in the playoffs this year... but didnt he get another concussion?

I think it was Bucky Gleason in the news that mentioned a separated sternum.

[kelly2reed4six]

He'll sign a $1.5 mil contract and Ruff will still put him on the PP because Ruff doesn't know what he is doing when it comes to the PP.



Agreed! The biggest complaint I have about Ruff! If he understood the PP better we would have been hoisting the stanley cup in B-LO in '07. 12.5% just doesn't cut it.

[JD]

No more than $2 million

[snow1989]

I'd lean towards letting him go...unless, is it possible they resign him for a cheaper salary AND then turn-around and package him into a trade deal??

He's just too often hurt, or disappears IMHO to justify him on this team as a #1, #2 line center...but several teams are looking for centers and perhaps packing him up correctly could get us a piece we need.

[bigbub2352]

pegula said he wants to change the make-up of the sabres

it starts with saying bye bye to timmy

[elltrain22]

Connolly gets hurt way too much, he is also gets worse as the season progresses, especially in the playoffs. I just want him gone. Period.

[Mski]

Connolly gets hurt way too much, he is also gets worse as the season progresses, especially in the playoffs. I just want him gone. Period.i'm not saying that i want them to resign him, but he was our best center in the playoffs

[Ebenezer]

i'm not saying that i want them to resign him, but he was our best center in the playoffs


...and that is the commentary of being the tallest dwarf...

[tampabay25690]

If we are looking for a good penalty killer I would rather have Mike Grier back.....

NO to Connolly......Why bother having him on the team.....

[Ebenezer]

If we are looking for a good penalty killer I would rather have Mike Grier back.....

NO to Connolly......Why bother having him on the team.....

assuming you can't get a center through FA or a trade then who will play center?

http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php?t=203492

[tampabay25690]

assuming you can't get a center through FA or a trade then who will play center?

http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php?t=203492

Yea but why sign Tim Connolly??????
The guy sucked last year........
We will get someone, or I hope so....

[don137]

If Kotalik and Morrison are sent to Rochester that would free up 5M. That opens some room.

[SABURZFAN]

F THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SkateZilla]

Articles are stating that regier and timmy's agent have barely talked.