Tim Connolly Interview today on the FAN590

[Bullfrog]

He is on a short term deal so I think it was worth it, I mean he can't possibly be worse than bozak right?  And if he faulters colbourne or lombardi if he is healthy can replace him.

If Colborne could replace him so easily, he'd be on the team playing a top 6 role. He's most likely Marlies bound with a chance at a few games with the Leafs.

I'm optimistic about the Leafs prospects, but they're just that, prospects. They're not ready to replace bonafide top 6 NHL forwards. kadri is close hopefully.

 

[maplesyrup]

?He?s misunderstood by the media and the fans.? - Ryan Miller.

I certainly hope that proves to be the case with me. 

 

[L K]

?He?s misunderstood by the media and the fans.? - Ryan Miller.

I certainly hope that proves to be the case with me.

I hope not to be honest because I don't have enough faith in the Toronto media to leave well enough alone.  If he struggles in any way, I feel like they will just carry over whatever stuff Buffalo was doing, except it would be 20 writers/radio hosts instead of the 4 from Buffalo.

 

[maplesyrup]

?He?s misunderstood by the media and the fans.? - Ryan Miller.

I certainly hope that proves to be the case with me.

I hope not to be honest because I don't have enough faith in the Toronto media to leave well enough alone.  If he struggles in any way, I feel like they will just carry over whatever stuff Buffalo was doing, except it would be 20 writers/radio hosts instead of the 4 from Buffalo.

Yeah, for that reason, Toronto strikes me as on odd place to try to put the pieces of a broken career back together.

 

[slapshot]

Let Miller said, he's a battler, who doesn't care what the media thinks. If the fans like him, that will be enough. Hopefully, they give some lattitude to get adjusted. From what I've seen of him, he's got a ton of talent. Wicked move to the backhand.

 

[cw]

If the fans like him, that will be enough.

In this town, there's always been so many fans to go around, even the worst slugs they ever dressed seemed to have plenty of fans.

A lot of fans know about Simmons. For those who don't, Connolly's rope with them will be a little shorter. But the vast majority of fans are going to give the guy a chance. If he stays healthy, he'll put up the points and that will keep the media wolves away who will be distracted going after someone floundering worse.

 

[cw]

NHL Connolly Highlights
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlp=8467878&fr=false
(brace yourself for 'scoooooooooooooooooooooorrrrrreeeeesssss')

Youtube Career Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIauE5XrMsk&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVCyHDISpb0&feature=fvst

Against Leafs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTVeFlubmDw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyzLsbMnd6E&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P_N78TmTHM

 

[Bullfrog]

I was pleasantly surprised by how many of those goals were scored by him within a couple meters of the net.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I remember watching that game where he made Alfredsson look ridiculous.

Also, Ken Klee. 

 

[Tigger]

That's a pretty serious back hand he has not to mention some zing on his slapshot.

 

[pnjunction]

No kidding he could have the best backhand on the team since Sundin if he can bring it

Anybody know how to dig up his record in the shootout?

 

[Stumpy]

No kidding he could have the best backhand on the team since Sundin if he can bring it

Anybody know how to dig up his record in the shootout?

If I'm interpreting NHL.com's statistics correctly, he's a disappointing 4/23 overall.

 

[armche123]

http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=587246&navid=DL|TOR|home

Nice read

 

[leafsjunkie]

If this guy can stay healthy, bag 15 - 20 goals and put up 40 -  50 assists, that would be absolutely huge. I don't know if he can, it's a big if, but if he plays with Kessel and Lupul for the full year and neither of those guys regress (which I don't see happening), those point totals could be plausable. If that happens and the Grabo line plays like they can, I'd say we have 2 half decent scoring lines and would be the best top 6 we've had in a while.

 

[Tigger]

Health for Lupul and Connolly are a question but if they can play the lions share of the season I think they could be successful with Kessel. I'm a little worried about that lines ability to play a two way game but the offensive threat should help with that some.

It'll be nice to see the Leafs make opposing teams have to make a choice about where their top defensive assignments go given the threat from Grabbo's line.

 

[Frank E]

So the writer certainly wasn't a math major, given his table.

 

[Tigger]

So the writer certainly wasn't a math major, given his table.

He did warn you...

 

[Tigger]

Looking back at my post I wonder if Kulemin might be a better fit with Connolly and Kessel than Lupul? His two way game might solidify the line and I don't think Lupul would be too hurt playing with Grabbo and The General.

 

[Kin]

So the writer certainly wasn't a math major, given his table.

I'm pretty sure the difference between .08 and .8 is covered well before you have to declare.

 

[bustaheims]

Looking back at my post I wonder if Kulemin might be a better fit with Connolly and Kessel than Lupul? His two way game might solidify the line and I don't think Lupul would be too hurt playing with Grabbo and The General.

I don't know. I mean, the chemistry between Kulemin, Grabovski and MacArthur is well documented, but, there was also a fair amount of chemistry between Lupul and Kessel - I mean, after Lupul joined the team, Kessel put up 13 goals and 29 points in 28 games post trade, which was well above his pace before the trade. I'd lean towards keeping them together.