Connolly

[shrader]

Connolly needs to go regardless of salary, even if the Sabres win the Cup and he wins the Conn Smythe trophy.

 

I was going to say pretty much the same thing. But if he wants to win that Conn Smythe, I'll wish him well on his way out the door.

[kooshari]

I'm not sure what all the "Connolly should go blah blah" is. He is a precise playmaker and very hard and accurate shooter. Sure, maybe a little overpaid and rated, but there isn't anything anybody can do about it now so why doesn't everybody just root for him and hope he keeps getting better?

 

Connolly scored the GWG against the Rangers and suddenly he's worth his $4.5M salary?

 

I can't believe someone who has been paying attention to this team and Connolly over the past 5 years would actually question fans' criticism of him. He spent the first 60 games of the season playing like he didn't give a damn. Injury-prone, inconsistent, careless with the puck, unwilling to take the body, unaccountable, and overpaid.

 

And he's not going to improve -- he's almost 30 years old. He is who he is. He will never ever be worth a multi-million $ contract. In fact, I'd bet the team would perform better without his gutless talent.

 

I also can't believe this team has paid him $22M over the years for 105G, 350Pts, and a -31 +/-.

 

On the other hand, he IS effective at blocking shots on the penalty kick (with his shin pads and skates) and padding his stats with PP assists.

[Snowmobiler97]

Maybe, instead of trying to stalk me or question my posts, you should see my point. I'm NOT talking about his last 5 years, or the first half of this season. I'm talking about him as of late being productive and one of our top PK'ers. And as i've said before, let's see his playoff play.

[X. Benedict]

Connolly seems to get people's dander up.

 

He's been terrific most nights in the defensive zone.

 

Offensively his vision has been MIA most of the season.

 

I've liked the chances Vanek-Pom-Connolly have been getting.

 

He's lost that ability to put the puck any teammates stick that made him such a dangerous player, however he's still a useful player.

 

I'd be suprised and dissapointed if he was tendered an offer over 3.5.

I'd be dissapointed if he was tendered an offer over 3 and under 3.5.

I'd be fairly neutral on any offer under 3.

[shrader]

Offensively his vision has been MIA most of the season.

 

And why doesn't he unleash that absolute cannon of a slapshot more often? Once ever 3 months or so when he actually takes that shot, I find myself saying "oh yeah, he can do that".

[X. Benedict]

And why doesn't he unleash that absolute cannon of a slapshot more often? Once ever 3 months or so when he actually takes that shot, I find myself saying "oh yeah, he can do that".

I've always wondered. He has a great shot, but not a quick release. He's money on 5-3.

 

 

Well even money anyway........he hits the post often too.

[carpandean]

If we get a true #1 center via trade, Roy (or equivalent) is our #2, and they somehow find a way to keep Connolly, too, then I won't care too much that he's here. I just don't see them having the money (for once, I mean cap, not salary) to do all three unless they can trade away some cap-eating contracts.

[inkman]

Maybe, instead of trying to stalk me or question my posts, you should see my point.

I'm not sure what the stalking thing is about but I think the reason posters don't see your point is because they don't agree with it. Sure Tim has been okay for a month. Maybe his playoffs will be great. None of this info will change the majority's opinion of him.

[LGR4GM]

Maybe, instead of trying to stalk me or question my posts, you should see my point. I'm NOT talking about his last 5 years, or the first half of this season. I'm talking about him as of late being productive and one of our top PK'ers. And as i've said before, let's see his playoff play.

Stop right there. First off a good player is a consistent player and connolly has never ever ever ever ever been consistent. Second hes lazy, reports of him being last to practice and first to leave have surfaced a lot. Thirdly, we have an ok pp and an above average pk and that does not will not justify connolly on this team. Finally, lets decide based off of him actually giving a rats @ss in the playoffs is how you want to decide that... No. If I could swear on hear i would because this whole discussion about the merits of TC are stupid. The guy is lazy and plays when he feels like it. I dont really care that he scored that goal last night because 100 other players could have scored and TC is not a 2nd line center hes a 3-4th on a semi crappy team. If he plays like Wayne Gretzky in the playoffs I still do not care. Consistency is key factor in measuring a player and connolly is so inconsistent that its borderline nerve racking. So whats my conclusion? We all talk about locker room cancer and derek roy but I am sorry TC is locker room prostate cancer. Hes not a leader, he almost never shows up, and we could get a hundred guys for less money to do the same job and do it better. Worst idea ever = keeping tc after this season no matter what he does in the playoffs.

[Snowmobiler97]

Stop right there. First off a good player is a consistent player and connolly has never ever ever ever ever been consistent. Second hes lazy, reports of him being last to practice and first to leave have surfaced a lot. Thirdly, we have an ok pp and an above average pk and that does not will not justify connolly on this team. Finally, lets decide based off of him actually giving a rats @ss in the playoffs is how you want to decide that... No. If I could swear on hear i would because this whole discussion about the merits of TC are stupid. The guy is lazy and plays when he feels like it. I dont really care that he scored that goal last night because 100 other players could have scored and TC is not a 2nd line center hes a 3-4th on a semi crappy team. If he plays like Wayne Gretzky in the playoffs I still do not care. Consistency is key factor in measuring a player and connolly is so inconsistent that its borderline nerve racking. So whats my conclusion? We all talk about locker room cancer and derek roy but I am sorry TC is locker room prostate cancer. Hes not a leader, he almost never shows up, and we could get a hundred guys for less money to do the same job and do it better. Worst idea ever = keeping tc after this season no matter what he does in the playoffs.

I'm talking about THIS 2nd half of THIS year, nothing else. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

[LGR4GM]

I'm talking about THIS 2nd half of THIS year, nothing else. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

He has been good for a month not a half of year.

[LGR4GM]

I'm talking about THIS 2nd half of THIS year, nothing else. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

ok, i will be fair to you. Please explain why in detail you feel that connolly will be an asset to this team moving forward.

[Snowmobiler97]

ok, i will be fair to you. Please explain why in detail you feel that connolly will be an asset to this team moving forward.

Since he has been with Vanek and Pommer, they have each had marvelous scoring chances, he has been the best to center them, he is clearly our best penalty killer, (gaustad too). And since he has been with them (unless tag teamed) hasn't turned the puck over AS MUCH not saying at all but has gotten better. And besides, who are we going to get better than him? He already has chemistry, Buffalo finally has a good 1st line Vanek-Connolly-Pominville.

[LGR4GM]

Since he has been with Vanek and Pommer, they have each had marvelous scoring chances, he has been the best to center them, he is clearly our best penalty killer, (gaustad too). And since he has been with them (unless tag teamed) hasn't turned the puck over AS MUCH not saying at all but has gotten better. And besides, who are we going to get better than him? He already has chemistry, Buffalo finally has a good 1st line Vanek-Connolly-Pominville.

The problem is that a stanley cup contender would have a better top line. Vanek is a top line guy and pommers was. TC has never been that. He has in his best month of play 4g and 6a. If you look at the top players over the last month considering all stats TC is not in the top 25 he is just barely in the top 100. I am looking at shots, ppp, a, g, +-. So he is not worth it. Not for a 1mil not for a bag of pucks.

[beerme1]

Last years playoff performance was clearly horrible, there's no way around it.

 

 

You say horrible I say unforgivable and have no use for him or Roy. We can replace him with better for less money. Maybe not the case with Roy but dont you like what you see in this team without him?

Trust me when I say you will like this team better without Timmay too. I think the team will like the team better also. Although seeing Kassian crush Timmay into the boards in training camp would be cool too.

[Snowmobiler97]

You say horrible I say unforgivable and have no use for him or Roy. We can replace him with better for less money. Maybe not the case with Roy but dont you like what you see in this team without him?

Trust me when I say you will like this team better without Timmay too. I think the team will like the team better also. Although seeing Kassian crush Timmay into the boards in training camp would be cool too.

Roy= no use?!? wow, some people don't see good players when they are there, didn't you notice he has 35 GP 35 points? On the PP he was on the point. It was awesome. Especially with Vanek in front. Wow, player gets hurt then gets trashed, nice.

[wjag]

Roy= no use?!? wow, some people don't see good players when they are there, didn't you notice he has 35 GP 35 points? On the PP he was on the point. It was awesome. Especially with Vanek in front. Wow, player gets hurt then gets trashed, nice.

 

So my theory is on this board, someone ALWAYS needs to be the team scapegoat. People need someway to express frustration. Throughout this year it has moved between Myers (early), Miller, Roy, Connolly and Pominville. On the management side it has been Quinn, Regier, Ruff, Black and Pegula. This board would criticize Crosby if he played here. This board would find a way to criticize Perrault, Robert and Martin if they played in this era. It's human nature.

[LGR4GM]

So my theory is on this board, someone ALWAYS needs to be the team scapegoat. People need someway to express frustration. Throughout this year it has moved between Myers (early), Miller, Roy, Connolly and Pominville. On the management side it has been Quinn, Regier, Ruff, Black and Pegula. This board would criticize Crosby if he played here. This board would find a way to criticize Perrault, Robert and Martin if they played in this era. It's human nature.

well in all fairness that may be true for the board. However as for myself, Roy is good and I have been arguing against trading him. Miller has had an off year. Myers I have absolute faith in and havent lost it at all this entire year. Pommers I think is a 65pt average guy and we should all be supportive of him. TC sucks, has sucked, will continue to suck.

This board has a problem other than the one you mentioned and this isnt directed at you. They like to defend players who have sucked and will suck. Thats the problem with this team. When a player shows a hint of talent we go OMG hes the next Gilbert and then he sucks and we go give him a chance dont be mean play nice... blah blah blah... TC sucks and Gilbert never did. Thats the difference and I am sorry if I do not buy into the he will be better craze... But anyways thats just IMO.

[Eleven]

So my theory is on this board, someone ALWAYS needs to be the team scapegoat. People need someway to express frustration. Throughout this year it has moved between Myers (early), Miller, Roy, Connolly and Pominville. On the management side it has been Quinn, Regier, Ruff, Black and Pegula. This board would criticize Crosby if he played here. This board would find a way to criticize Perrault, Robert and Martin if they played in this era. It's human nature.

 

If the Sabres win the Cup in five games, there will be people here demanding explanations for why it wasn't done in four.

[Snowmobiler97]

So my theory is on this board, someone ALWAYS needs to be the team scapegoat. People need someway to express frustration. Throughout this year it has moved between Myers (early), Miller, Roy, Connolly and Pominville. On the management side it has been Quinn, Regier, Ruff, Black and Pegula. This board would criticize Crosby if he played here. This board would find a way to criticize Perrault, Robert and Martin if they played in this era. It's human nature.

Perfectly said man.

[Snowmobiler97]

well in all fairness that may be true for the board. However as for myself, Roy is good and I have been arguing against trading him. Miller has had an off year. Myers I have absolute faith in and havent lost it at all this entire year. Pommers I think is a 65pt average guy and we should all be supportive of him. TC sucks, has sucked, will continue to suck.

This board has a problem other than the one you mentioned and this isnt directed at you. They like to defend players who have sucked and will suck. Thats the problem with this team. When a player shows a hint of talent we go OMG hes the next Gilbert and then he sucks and we go give him a chance dont be mean play nice... blah blah blah... TC sucks and Gilbert never did. Thats the difference and I am sorry if I do not buy into the he will be better craze... But anyways thats just IMO.

Once again, (not to sound mean) but i'm not talking about resigning Connolly for 10 years wayyy overpriced, i'm just saying (as i did in my intial post), People still always find a way to complain about Connolly, dispite his awesome penalty killing, playmaking (sometimes) and his shot. Just telling people to watch playoffs and the next couple games and you will see improvement over his previous seasons. And besides, who else are they going to get for him? lol

[LGR4GM]

Once again, (not to sound mean) but i'm not talking about resigning Connolly for 10 years wayyy overpriced, i'm just saying (as i did in my intial post), People still always find a way to complain about Connolly, dispite his awesome penalty killing, playmaking (sometimes) and his shot. Just telling people to watch playoffs and the next couple games and you will see improvement over his previous seasons. And besides, who else are they going to get for him? lol

I will get to the bolded part in a second. So the whole argument of this thread is that he has improved in the second half of a contract year... ya that speaks volumes to him as a player. I hope he is amazing in the playoffs and wins us games. I really do mean that.

 

Now the bolded statement. That is solely the reason why Buffalo Sports fans are not the best. No faith in finding someone better. That continued and tired approach of this guy once did something good for this team so lets keep him. TC isnt Lidstrom, he is not a franchise guy. IDC if in the playoffs he wins us the cup this year. He needs to go. He needed to go 2 years ago. First it was he is injured all the time and now it is he only plays half the time. Insanity is defined by doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results... GET RID OF THE LAZY BUM.

 

You wanna talk about his shot. What shot? I havent seen TC shoot well in at least 2 years. Wow he got one good shot in at the rangers and he suddenly is shooting well, no.

 

His playmaking skills have been better but he is also on the team with the most SHG in the leauge meaning he has huge PP deficiencies. Not to mention he plays with Vanek and Pommers so shouldnt he be piling up assists and goals like its no bodies business?

 

His PK is good. Wont hear me argue against that. But there are upgrades out there.

 

Lets see, faceoffs. TC is average at best on FO and loses a good chunk of them.

 

Leadership, he has none.

 

Work ethic, none.

 

Stick handling, limited from what i have seen over the past couple years

 

Age, 30 and he had a bunch of injuries that obviously effect him.

 

I could go on and on and on about why TC is terrible. It has nothing to do with me not liking the guy. He is from Syracuse, seems to be nice. He never bashes his teammates. At one point I thought he was the future and would score 80pts a season. He has never ever done that. My Final Conclusion Idc if you wanna pay him 500k I would not keep someone so negligent of their obvious skills on a team whos sole purpose is to win the stanley cup.

[Kristian]

I will get to the bolded part in a second. So the whole argument of this thread is that he has improved in the second half of a contract year... ya that speaks volumes to him as a player. I hope he is amazing in the playoffs and wins us games. I really do mean that.

 

Now the bolded statement. That is solely the reason why Buffalo Sports fans are not the best. No faith in finding someone better. That continued and tired approach of this guy once did something good for this team so lets keep him. TC isnt Lidstrom, he is not a franchise guy. IDC if in the playoffs he wins us the cup this year. He needs to go. He needed to go 2 years ago. First it was he is injured all the time and now it is he only plays half the time. Insanity is defined by doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results... GET RID OF THE LAZY BUM.

 

You wanna talk about his shot. What shot? I havent seen TC shoot well in at least 2 years. Wow he got one good shot in at the rangers and he suddenly is shooting well, no.

 

His playmaking skills have been better but he is also on the team with the most SHG in the leauge meaning he has huge PP deficiencies. Not to mention he plays with Vanek and Pommers so shouldnt he be piling up assists and goals like its no bodies business?

 

His PK is good. Wont hear me argue against that. But there are upgrades out there.

 

Lets see, faceoffs. TC is average at best on FO and loses a good chunk of them.

 

Leadership, he has none.

 

Work ethic, none.

 

Stick handling, limited from what i have seen over the past couple years

 

Age, 30 and he had a bunch of injuries that obviously effect him.

 

I could go on and on and on about why TC is terrible. It has nothing to do with me not liking the guy. He is from Syracuse, seems to be nice. He never bashes his teammates. At one point I thought he was the future and would score 80pts a season. He has never ever done that. My Final Conclusion Idc if you wanna pay him 500k I would not keep someone so negligent of their obvious skills on a team whos sole purpose is to win the stanley cup.

 

This.

[nobody]

All I know is the only way I'll be able to stand the team next year if Connolly, Stafford and Hecht are still on the team is if they win the Cup this year.

[Stoner]

If the Sabres win the Cup in five games, there will be people here demanding explanations for why it wasn't done in four.

 

You're better than this.