Connolly placed on Waivers
- Thread starter Scrif
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moon111
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I really compare Connolly to Robert Reichel. Both had some history of offense that ended up disappointing Leaf fans when it didn't resurface in their late playing career. Connolly would need the perfect linemates to work with. Didn't work with Kessel like Bozak does. A guy like Sundin could score with Brian Curran and Bill Root as his wingers. For Connolly, there was no chemistry. He, like Reichel, ended up playing a much more defensive game. Heck Connolly lead the forwards with blocked shots. The problem with Connolly was unrealistic expectations and unrealistic salary. Other then that, he was 'okay' and maybe exactly what Kadri needed.Champ Kind said:
moon111 said:
In terms of points, a roughly similar thing happened to Reichel in Toronto that happened to Connolly to some extent. They got less quality scoring ice time (less PP time) and played with linemates who weren't as good scorers. Back when, I took a pretty close look at Reichel's ice time, etc and he was fairly productive offensively with the ice time he got in Toronto.
I think Connolly is better rounded defensively than Bozak - probably due to all the experience he's had at this level but Bozak's chemistry clicked with Kessel-Lupul better.
In the right situation, Connolly could be more productive without a massive change to the game he came to Toronto with. Stick him on a second line with guys he clicks with and give him PP ice time and his ppg would probably be fairly respectable.
With such a short preseason, it's pretty tough to overcome last season for all the vets. I expect before the season is out, we'll see a few posts on Lombardi: "the one Nonis let get away" because he'll probably do much better with the Coyotes - a year further from his injury and probably playing some better quality scoring minutes. But again, he had little chance to show that over the last couple of days.
OldTimeHockey
Active member
Justin said:
How would you of gotten rid of Lombardi and Connolly in the offseason. To smash Burke and pat Nonis on the back for moves that Burke himself could of made seems shortsighted no?
I cannot recall where I read or heard this today but there was some speculation from credible media (as I recall) that the waiver effort was an attempt to see if anyone would take the entire $4.75 mil off their hands. And that it's still possible that Nonis would consider trading Connolly at a contract discount if he clears.
I still suspect with Aucoin taken by the Isles, that they'd keep Connolly around for injury insurance. And they may delay moving him until they see how Kadri works out.
By the deadline, with a bunch of his salary paid, I think Connolly could easily be moved for playoff depth to help them acquire a pick if they're out of the playoff picture.
I still suspect with Aucoin taken by the Isles, that they'd keep Connolly around for injury insurance. And they may delay moving him until they see how Kadri works out.
By the deadline, with a bunch of his salary paid, I think Connolly could easily be moved for playoff depth to help them acquire a pick if they're out of the playoff picture.
Corn Flake
New member
Peter D. said:
The Islanders are apparently conducting some sort of experiment on building an entire team via waivers.
Zee
Active member
nutman said:RedLeaf said:Zee said:
Nothing like seeing the worst team picking up the droppings of the 2nd worst team.
Were not that bad, you just listen to the press too much. there wrong by the way.
No offense nutman, but you say this every year. I'm sure if I go back 1 year ago they'll be posts of you predicting the Leafs in the playoffs. Let's see the team PROVE it before we go saying they're not that bad.
BlueWhiteBlood
New member
Zee said:
Well, if they put Aucoin on waivers again, I think we have first dibs, unless that rule has changed also. I think we could also send him to the Marlies then too. I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong though.