@mirtle: There are rumours out there Connolly will be claimed by the Islanders... nothing official coming until noon.” Cue outrage in 3,2..
We will know around 12:30/1pm. That is when Staple tweeted the others. In this shorted season, depth will be paramount as the condesed schedule is going to bread injuries with little recovery time. Being out 2 weeks last season will have a player miss 4-6 games. This season being out 2 weeks will make them miss 6-8 games.
Those lines look pretty good, admittedly, but....this is not the same Connolly you remember though. He was awful in Toronto and they desperately need a #1 C, not even a #2. They chose Bozak, Steckel, McClement and Grabovski instead.
Granted, Boyes was also terrible in BUF, a $1MM risk is not the same as a $4MM risk.
I'm amazed how the same fans who dismiss Frans 47 pts on the 2nd line, are getting excited about adding Connolly's 30 pts to the 2nd line.
I'm amazed how the same fans who dismiss Frans 47 pts on the 2nd line, are getting excited about adding Connolly's 30 pts to the 2nd line.
I'm not really for or against Connolly, I'm just pointing out that there is not need to get a bent out of shape over it. This is a special case season. WIth some many games being played in so little time injuries are going to happen and be frequent. I expect to see Nino, Nelson and maybe Kabanov play games here this season in some capacity.
It is funny how you focus on one "bad" season, rather than the four previous seasons where Tim averaged over 60 points for each 82 games played. When has Franz ever done that?
It is funny how you focus on one "bad" season, rather than the four previous seasons where Tim averaged over 60 points for each 82 games played. When has Franz ever done that?
He's had 1 really impressive season in his last 5 seasons. The last two, he's made $4.5m per, while being outscored by Frans Nielsen. NYI fans would have ripped Frans a new one, putting up those type of pts and making that kind of salary.
40 pts in 2007-2008
47 pts in 2008-2009
65 pts in 2009-2010
42 pts in 2010-2011
36 pts in 2011-2012
I'm amazed how the same fans who dismiss Frans 47 pts on the 2nd line, are getting excited about adding Connolly's 30 pts to the 2nd line.
Very true. And in a few minutes, we'll see if we're getting another reclamation project.
Connolly does carry the pre-requisite of higher cap hit than salary and he DOES help us get above the floor (in case Visnovsky doesn't show up, we'll be close to the floor though not a huge concern)
There's always a chance Connolly could be a good addition, as was true with Schremp, Grabner, Aucoin and many many others....but the Leafs picked right after the NYI in last year's draft. They aren't a good team, they desperately need a centre, they put Connolly on waivers, they don't have cap/salary issues, they chose Bozak, McClement, Steckel and maybe Kadri over Connolly.....so let's not start the parade just yet.
All that said, Connolly is a much better choice for THIS YEAR than Strome or Nelson or Sundstrom.
....but the Leafs picked right after the NYI in last year's draft. They aren't a good team, they desperately need a centre, they put Connolly on waivers, they don't have cap/salary issues, they chose Bozak, McClement, Steckel and maybe Kadri over Connolly.....so let's not start the parade just yet.
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That's my concern. The Leafs are team that is desperate for a quality, first line center.
Yet, they are waiving Connolly, thinking their chances to improve and make a playoff sprint are improved without Connolly.
Connolly is an underachieving disappointment.
Some foretelling?... How would you guys feel about signing Redden if it's a cheap, 1 year type contract?
Mods, don't know if this is the right place but I figure it's discussion worthy so do what you have to do.
I am all for it personally. I feel like he was a Victim of contract he was not worth of. I think he will come with a Fairly lowish Deal. Around the 1.5 to 2.5 Range. 1 year or two years LOW rish but high Reward if you ask me. I think he could still be decent second pairing guy still.
I just noticed that as well. Similar to the Connolly page and why people were using that as the reason we claimed him.
I knew we drafted Connolly, however, was not aware we drafted Redden.
With that being said though, I wouldn't mind Redden on a 1-2 yr deal as well. The guy was a decent player (better than a lot of what we have now) and you never know how he might play coming off of the garbage that has happened to him the last two years. It could easily not pan out, but it could also turn into a situation with a player desperate to prove he still belongs, and helping us in the process.
This is like that Slapshot scene..
"Every piece of garbage that comes by you gotta buy"
"The scouts said those boys showed a lot of promise"
Mark Streit ... Come get the Stanley Cup!
Lolololololol
Strait is a good defensive defenseman. Very defensive. If you were gonna make the 10 yr old "come get the cup" lame joke, it was after the finley pick up.
I don't think Connolly will make it to the AHL, I don't think he's ever played in the minors. I expect the Leafs to make a deal where they pick-up some of the salary, like they did with Lombardi.
If the Isles are interested, as the rumours suggest, they'll be much more interested in a half price sale. But I don't expect them to add Connolly.
I don't think Connolly will make it to the AHL, I don't think he's ever played in the minors. I expect the Leafs to make a deal where they pick-up some of the salary, like they did with Lombardi.
If the Isles are interested, as the rumours suggest, they'll be much more interested in a half price sale. But I don't expect them to add Connolly.
We have a lot more options up front than we did on the blue line. The claims of Hickey, Finley, and Strait do make sense considering the state of our blue line on LI and in Bridgeport.
If I remember correctly, Redden was drafted as a sound defensive defenseman with a scoring upside. Kinda like Reinhart...scoring upside. Redden got that upside, but then after 10 years with Ottawa, it started to fall.
I equate Redden to that of Yashin. Still good, but soooo not worth what he was getting paid.
Actually, i would prefer Yashin NOW instead of Connolly.
With all these players we are getting, we are gonna have to get an ECHL team too so BP can send overflow there 8-)
I also have a theory as to why Nino and Donovan were not brought up. In the offchance they just don't make the cut, they would have to waive them back down or be forced to keep them up. Other than not getting enough minutes with the big club, the isles would be forced to expose them to waiver by sending them down. It's better to call them up when someone is injured to protect their assets.
