Trade Rumors and Free Agent TalkTrade rumors, transactions, and free agent talk. Rumors must contain the word RUMOR in post title. Proposals must contain the word PROPOSAL in post title.
News: Buffalo general manager Darcy Regier plans to speak with Connolly's agent this weekend, Buffalo's WGR Radio reports.
Spin: The Sabres would like to re-sign Connolly -- who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season -- before Wednesday's trade deadline. However, it doesn't sound like negotiations have progressed very far to date. If an agreement is not reached before Wednesday, the Sabres might try to trade Connolly while they can still obtain something in return. It's hard to get a good handle on his market value because he is a talented player that is often injured.
From the Sabres perspective unless Connolly signs an extension before the deadline can the organization risk losing another talented player to unrestricted free agency as previously happenend with Briere, Drury and Campbell?
Granted they did aquire a player and draft pick for Campbell while the other two (Briere and Drury) were free agents following the year Buffalo finished first overall so it was never in the cards that both or either would have been dealt at that year's deadline. Obviously the teams circumstances dictate whether a player is likely to be moved or not.
So Sabres fans would you move Connolly?
For other fans what team might be interested in Connolly?
I don't think the jackets would try to match that offer... As with the Jason Williams trade (Minor League defenseman Clay Wilson and San Jose's 6th rounder this draft) Howson's not going to mortage moving an important piece for an important piece... If he can get connolly on the cheap, he'll do it, if not, he'll land another interchangeable part for cheap that in a move that might look real good at the end of the jackets season.
on a side note, why the hell would anybody trust any hockey rumors fom ESPN?
both connolly and stafford are better players than staal at this point, IMO, so outside of name recognition, this deal doesn't really work.
edit: i also don't know if the sabres are going to trade him. i want them to. i'm not a connolly fan. but there is no way he goes without darcy acquiring either a center in return, or in a different trade. this trade would seriously leave us with derek roy, jochen hecht, adam mair, and paul gaustad down the middle. that would be ****ing atrocious.
If I'm the Sabres I try to get Connolly signed this weekend. Tim has recently said he would like to stay here. But, so did Campbell, so did Briere. So, if his agent is telling him you can make 4+ on the open market and the Sabres are offering 2.5, then it's up to Timmy to think he can make it through a playoff run without getting injured (most likely after being traded).
I am hoping he takes the risk free money and signs this weekend.
If not, the Sabres better get Something in return, and if it is not a roster player, then we better turn right around and trade that prospect/pick for a new center of our own. I don't want to see TIMMAH! go.
FFIW I don't consider the Sabres as losing Campbel as much as I consider they chose not to resign him as it was expected he would be seeking a large, long term contract. He got it, and as good as he is I think his contract is overvalued.
Just my opinion as a Sabres fan but I would try to keep Tim. He is a high risk / high reward. But I think he is worth more to the Sabres than what they would likely get for him in a trade. Sabres are short on high end talent, especially up the middle. They have very little to no depth at the center position, including down on the farm. They need him more than they need a 2nd round pick, or something in that range IMO.
Yes, Stafford and Connolly for Staal is not a good deal for the Sabres
How exactly is this a problem? Any of these guys can be moved to the wing at any time. Having all of these 'center's' isn't a problem whatsoever.
He said none of them are playmakers, which they really aren't. None of those guys have the hands to make Rick Nash the goal scorer he should be. (Not saying Nash isn't good, but if he had a skilled passer for a centre he would be laughing)
NOt sure what we'd have to give up. But I sure hope columbus gets in the mix or is already in there if he doesnt re-sign. Time to get connolly on the beleive train!
He said none of them are playmakers, which they really aren't. None of those guys have the hands to make Rick Nash the goal scorer he should be. (Not saying Nash isn't good, but if he had a skilled passer for a centre he would be laughing)
Connolly would look very good as Nash's center. He is an exceptional
stickhandler / passer.
He said none of them are playmakers, which they really aren't. None of those guys have the hands to make Rick Nash the goal scorer he should be. (Not saying Nash isn't good, but if he had a skilled passer for a centre he would be laughing)
If Nash were a pure goal scorer he would have scored 60+ like the pure goal scorer that Ovechkin was last year without a talented playmaking center
NOt sure what we'd have to give up. But I sure hope columbus gets in the mix or is already in there if he doesnt re-sign. Time to get connolly on the beleive train!
What would you be OK with giving up realistically?
He said none of them are playmakers, which they really aren't. None of those guys have the hands to make Rick Nash the goal scorer he should be. (Not saying Nash isn't good, but if he had a skilled passer for a centre he would be laughing)
Got it. Must have misread it. Thanks.
I think it was his use of the word 'girth' that threw me.
