Yeah he had a longish run with us.. But thats all tim was.. a kinda good player when he wanted to be.. or if he was healthy he was always just there and showed up when he wanted.. Now going to a team where he will be a first line center maybe he'll show up but most likely will be the same ol tim.. because thats what he has been for the last 10 years.. he had the chance to be great.. but just really didn't give a fuck.

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The Board Drunk.

Great video, but I'm more sad that he didn't really turn into the All-Star he should've been. 2006 playoffs he was AMAZING...until he got layed out

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

i think injuries took their toll on timmy, mentally. i believe he is still world class talent, but hes not what he used to be, mentally. not that he was ever all there, mentally.

i dunno, i was always a huge timmy fan. i hope he does well. he doesnt deserve the scrutiny he got in terms of him being injured. luck of the draw, i guess.

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His talent is out the door. He is missing talent now, because his coordination was fucked after those concussions.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

Tough players like Leino do well in the playoffs because the physicality goes up a ton.. The softest players(Connolly) suck in the playoffs..

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Miller, Myers and Greir are sick, but not Jesus Christ..

KILL OTTAWA

Burke is no dummy. He must see a good fit for Tim with the Leafs. Good luck to him, but not against the Sabres.

Burke is a straight up dummy. There's a reason the Laffs haven't been able to make the playoffs with him, or even climb out of the basement. He just signed Connolly to a 2 year 4.75 mill/year deal, that's retarded.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

At least Connolly won't have to deal with media criticism for not scoring in the playoffs anymore.

It's not retarded if A) you lack a scoring line center and B) if you don't get one, another team will pay stupid money to get Connolly.

Burke had the cap room after losing out on Richards, so either he gets a center or he doesn't. The money is really not the issue, as we already know about every UFA is getting over paid right now.

That said, I see a lot of criticism for Connolly based on his injury history. I'm reading Leafs fans talk about, "If only he stays healthy...". The bigger problem is that, most likely due to that history, he doesn't get low and into the dirty areas of the slot and crease where you pay a price but get ugly points. He seems content to be a perimeter player, but these days teams are happy to keep the chances to the outside beyond their shell. With the newfound defensive commitment since the 06-07 season, Connolly's game just doesn't work anymore, and he refuses to adapt and still make the most of his talent.

All this other talk about injuries and wimpy attitude pales in comparison to the fact that his game just isn't going to work as effectively anymore. Make him a checking line center and his defense alone would make him a great option in that role. Scoring center...not anymore.

hehehe

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

I also agree about Burke being no dummy but he did overpay for Connolly's services. Connolly was a player to be reckon with until he got blasted by Mike Fisher.
I like the deal he deal for Matthew Lombardi. Lombardi is a very good player when he's in the lineup.

Now that's funny!!!!

He got a modified NTC too.

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mechaphil

Burke isn't as good as you give him credit for.. He's been in Toronto how long? and they've improved how much? I don't see Connolly being a good fit in Toronto.. He's just not a good fit in the NHL.. I was surprised to see him sign a contract for 2 years for $4.75 mill total.. Thought he wasn't worth it.. Then I realized I read it wrong and it said $4.75 mill per year.. What a joke..

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Miller, Myers and Greir are sick, but not Jesus Christ..

KILL OTTAWA

the leafs are putting together a good team. like buffalo, they put it together in the second half last year, and they didnt miss the post season by much. i have felt they have gotten better, and they may FINALLY be ready to make the jump this year. (ive said this for a few years now though)

they really lacked goaltending, and they found a good one in riemer.

the cupboard was bare when he got to toronto, and its getting restocked.

they arnt even CLOSE to being a good team come april and may, but i feel they could make the playoffs this year. thats just me though.

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Toronto misses the playoffs this year. They're relying on a freaking goalie that hasn't even played a full season yet to carry their team. Their division has the Habs, Sabres, Bruins, and Ottawa. Only team they can beat really is Ottawa.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

I know this thread has been dead for over a week. But I just found this article from the Toronto Sun.


When you ask hockey people questions about Connolly the first thing they ask in return is: “Can we go off the record?” They want to tell you the story or at least their version of the story. They just don’t want their names attached to the Maple Leafs’ $9.5 million signing. Among the terms used to describe Connolly are: Soft. Sullen.

Difficult. Loner. Spoiled brat. Silver spoon kid. Entitled. Not a team player. Almost the opposite of what you expect most hockey players to be.

And one more thing: Supremely skilled.


http://www.torontosun.com/2011/07/12/wi ... ways-a-but

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--Scott

I appreciate the good read. I've always rooted for Connolly, but always wanted to know more about him and what his teammates thought of him. If he wasn't a team player he isn't my kind of guy, but with all the injuries and criticism I can see how he might go into a shell and stop being very friendly. The one comment in that article, about skating off the ice and telling the commentator (Ray maybe?) he looks unhappy because the whole arena hates him, says a lot. After a certain point anybody is going to stop trying to feel good about their situation and that can't be good for on-ice performance.

Until I hear 1st or 2nd hand accounts that he's actually a big asshole, I'll still root for him. I just wish he was in Columbus instead.

lol Connolly? Talent? Talent is over 42 points playing top line minutes.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

I think you mean the peter schaefer hit.