Tim Connolly is a good player

[AlmosGirl]

I wonder if his recent surge has anything to do with the power of the Wendel handle bar mustache.

;D Man, some of these mustaches have got to go.  I like him.  Hoping that he can stay healthy for a bit.

 

[Champ Kind]

Not entirely true.  I can specifically recall people on this board saying that Connolly's high draft status should be qualified because he was "picked by Milbury".

If anyone said that, they have no idea what they're talking about. Despite everything else about him as a GM, Milbury was good at one thing - he drafted very well. On top of that, based on the careers of the rest of the guys drafted in the 1999 Entry Draft, Connolly was picked pretty much exactly where he should have been.

I have a few neurons that trying to tell me who it was, but it's a bit hazy.  Was likely on the old site, so finding the reference may be difficult.  I wonder if the offending party will step up.  Corn Flake, I seem to recall you being on the receiving end of that comment, any recollection?

 

[cw]

To Star link
?I mean, he?s skating really hard right now. (There?s) probably a sense of desperation or urgency in his game right now,? Wilson said of Bozak on Tuesday. ?Last year, no matter how he played he was going to be in the lineup. We weren?t very deep. And now he knows (Leafs centre Mikhail Grabovski) is only a week maybe out (from returning from injury), if that much, and he?s competing as hard as he can to stay on that line. And I mean, I?m rewarding him by continuing to play him on that line because Timmy Connolly seems to be able to play with anybody and make them better.?

That's kind of an interesting sentence in terms of triggering thought.

I don't believe for a second Bozak is a true first line center. But it seems Lupul and Kessel are ringing up points with him.

Let's assume that Grabbo can return and his line can rediscover it's chemistry of last year.

Tim is a good Pker and decent defensively. He might be the answer to get that 3rd line going better when healthy bodies return ...

 

[The Red Polar Bear]

CW, random thought:

I may be crazy, but, what if we ran four scoring lines when everyone is healthy.

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
Kulemin-Grabo-Armstrong
Brown-Connolly-MacArthur
Steckel-Colborne-Frattin

I'm probably blanking out on someone important to include that I'm missing, but the principle is there.

 

[Britishbulldog]

CW, random thought:

I may be crazy, but, what if we ran four scoring lines when everyone is healthy.

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
Kulemin-Grabo-Armstrong
Brown-Connolly-MacArthur
Steckel-Colborne-Frattin

I'm probably blanking out on someone important to include that I'm missing, but the principle is there.

Lombardi.

Put him LW, move Steckel to center and send Colborne down and I love that line up.

 

[cw]

CW, random thought:

I may be crazy, but, what if we ran four scoring lines when everyone is healthy.

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
Kulemin-Grabo-Armstrong
Brown-Connolly-MacArthur
Steckel-Colborne-Frattin

I'm probably blanking out on someone important to include that I'm missing, but the principle is there.

Lombardi.

Put him LW, move Steckel to center and send Colborne down and I love that line up.

I might do this:
Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
Kulemin-Grabo-MacArthur
Frattin-Connolly-Armstrong
Brown-Steckel-Lombardi

The first two lines have some history of producing and playing two way hockey so there's a good chance they'll work.

I realize Wilson said Connolly could make any line better but as much as I admire what Brown contributes, I think Connolly is skilled enough to deserve the best skill quality of what remains in the bottom three. Armstrong provides adequate muscle for that line. So I'd put Lombardi or Frattin with Connolly and the other of those two with Steckel & Brown.

Connolly & Armstrong are decent Pkers so they could serve as one PK pairing. Steckel with Brown or Lombardi could be a second PK pairing. Grabbo & Kulemin can provide a third paring if needed.

If the PP dries up, Connolly's line isn't such a bad option. Armstrong has considerably more finish than he's been allowed to demonstrate in that role in Toronto.

If the Leafs are down, I hope Wilson starts to use Kessel in a PK role. Phil has stated a desire to do so. One thing that would make a weakish PK easier to tolerate would be a few more shorthanded goals. The speedsters with finish should PK more than Wilson has exploited when they're behind in my opinion.

 

[Corn Flake]

It's only been 10 games, but you can certainly see the talent this dude has.

He's very slick, has great vision, great hands... he's one of those guys who can make you jump out of your seat with a play that looks like it came out of nowhere (aka the Carolina game... the falling pass against Pitts, etc.).  Surprisingly, he's also not afraid to get in front of the net (albeit, mostly on the man advantage).

The problem is, and always has been obviously his injuries and subsequently questioning his desire because of it but there is absolutely no denying his skill.  This dude can play.

No doubt.  Being available to play has been his biggest problem which is why I didn't like the signing but got the logic behind what he could bring if he actually had some good luck with injuries.

Some of his point totals in Buf don't speak to his ability, but its not like he's the only guy to get somewhat stifled in the Lindy Ruff system.  See: McArthur, Clarke. 

I think its really great news if Bozak can solidify himself in the top line role for now, putting Connolly on the 3rd line... in that role its not as big of a deal if he misses time as its easier to fill in for him there vs. the 1st line.

 

[Stronger Than All]

How 'bout keeping Connolly where he is and have Grabo centre Frattin and Coloborne?

 

[Zee]

It's only been 10 games, but you can certainly see the talent this dude has.

He's very slick, has great vision, great hands... he's one of those guys who can make you jump out of your seat with a play that looks like it came out of nowhere (aka the Carolina game... the falling pass against Pitts, etc.).  Surprisingly, he's also not afraid to get in front of the net (albeit, mostly on the man advantage).

The problem is, and always has been obviously his injuries and subsequently questioning his desire because of it but there is absolutely no denying his skill.  This dude can play.

No doubt.  Being available to play has been his biggest problem which is why I didn't like the signing but got the logic behind what he could bring if he actually had some good luck with injuries.

Some of his point totals in Buf don't speak to his ability, but its not like he's the only guy to get somewhat stifled in the Lindy Ruff system.  See: McArthur, Clarke. 

I think its really great news if Bozak can solidify himself in the top line role for now, putting Connolly on the 3rd line... in that role its not as big of a deal if he misses time as its easier to fill in for him there vs. the 1st line.

The thing is, besides Richards or Connolly, what other UFA center could the Leafs have signed?  Sure Connolly is a risk, but it's a small risk vs. high reward.  IF he stays healthy, he could be a huge factor for the Leafs.  If not, it's not that big a commitment to him.

 

[rdowdall]

Rolling three lines that could score would be awesome.  It also looks like they would have a defensive conscience. 

 

[Corn Flake]

It's only been 10 games, but you can certainly see the talent this dude has.

He's very slick, has great vision, great hands... he's one of those guys who can make you jump out of your seat with a play that looks like it came out of nowhere (aka the Carolina game... the falling pass against Pitts, etc.).  Surprisingly, he's also not afraid to get in front of the net (albeit, mostly on the man advantage).

The problem is, and always has been obviously his injuries and subsequently questioning his desire because of it but there is absolutely no denying his skill.  This dude can play.

No doubt.  Being available to play has been his biggest problem which is why I didn't like the signing but got the logic behind what he could bring if he actually had some good luck with injuries.

Some of his point totals in Buf don't speak to his ability, but its not like he's the only guy to get somewhat stifled in the Lindy Ruff system.  See: McArthur, Clarke. 

I think its really great news if Bozak can solidify himself in the top line role for now, putting Connolly on the 3rd line... in that role its not as big of a deal if he misses time as its easier to fill in for him there vs. the 1st line.

The thing is, besides Richards or Connolly, what other UFA center could the Leafs have signed?  Sure Connolly is a risk, but it's a small risk vs. high reward.  IF he stays healthy, he could be a huge factor for the Leafs.  If not, it's not that big a commitment to him.

For sure the only better UFA option was Richards. Based on the term Richards got I'm glad the Leafs didn't end up there.  I was hoping the Leafs could do better via trade but recognize that the market wasn't exactly flush with 1st line centres. 

I didn't like Connolly as an option because of the injury issues and fear the Leafs would overpay on rate and term to get him. Fortunately they only had to do one of those things, and the term and message from Burke when he signed (between the lines) was effectively that this guy was a stop gap until the kids got older and better.  From that side of it, it made a lot of sense.  If they had ended up signing him for four years or something, I would have been ill.  As for the salary, relatively speaking to the other money dolled out this summer, it wasn't really all that bad in the end, and certainly not cap crippling.

So if this guy can hold together for 60 games and have a positive influence on the young centres then I guess he is worth every penny. 

I still think he's a useful trade chip if a guy like Staal or Getzlaf does pop up as available.  His cap hit eats up a chunk of the difference, plus he can be viewed as an option to fill their shoes.  Not saying this happens, but just that he's a good enough player on a good term that would appeal to a smaller market team. 

 

[maplesyrup]

Richards has just 3 more points than Connolly.... in 8 more GP. 

 

[caver]

  that will only take Connolly 1 more game to tie.

 

[freer]

  that will only take Connolly 1 more game to tie.

Wishful thinking, but who know but he will catch him soon enough

 

[maplesyrup]

I wasn't fond of his signing (more the money aspect) based on his durability, but knew full well if he could be relatively healthy he'd reward the team with some great play.

Exactly my feeling.

Well, Peter... We were right not being fond of this signing. We were also right in thinking if healthy he'd reward us with some great play. - If by "some" we meant slightly more than "nothing."     

 

[Sudafederov]

Glad to see this thread back.

I was debating whether to start a new one, "People seem to take it easy on Tim Connolly, why, WHY?"

 

[TML fan]

A) CONNOLLY
B) NOT SO MUCH

 

[Swede]

Glad to see this thread back.

I was debating whether to start a new one, "People seem to take it easy on Tim Connolly, why, WHY?"

Burke gambled on him , but gave up next to nothing to do it. Taking the cap hit
but only for 2 years. Tim will be a sad footnote in Leafs history.

 

[McPwnage]

Connolly is going to be a problem when it comes to cap room.  His contract takes up the money we will need to resign Grabovski

 

[Tigger]

Connolly is going to be a problem when it comes to cap room.  His contract takes up the money we will need to resign Grabovski

Jeebus I hope the Leafs don't do that...