I was a big advocate for his signing last year due to his incredible skating ability and puck control.



We haven't seen either of these things so far this season.

Don't get me wrong, as Timmy hasn't been horrible. He's made some beauty passes and plays pretty well defensively. But where's the Tim Connolly that lead the Sabres in playoff points until he went down against Ottawa in 2006?

Is he holding back to avoid injury, or is he playing injured?

It's been a little frustrating. It's like he's not even enjoying himself. I almost wonder if there's something going on in his personal life.

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Wheelhouse

That's a good observation about how he seems like he's not even having fun. I wish he would pick up his goal scoring a little bit.

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"Ah...composite sticks...you can't beat 'em...unless you have a wooden one..."-Harry Neale

In Pegula We We Trust!

You do make a great point. I started getting a little suspicious myself after the whole faceoff controversy came about. I found it odd that he didn't really seem to care about getting better at taking faceoffs and staying after practice when Goose was helping people out.
Maybe there are some personal issues he is dealing with...because you are correct in saying his play does seem uninspired lately.

Back then the team was fast, fun and loaded up front with speed and talent. Makes for some pretty goals and a fun environment, eh? Now we're more defensely sound and rather than goals coming naturally, you have to roll up your sleeves and get dirty. That leaves Timmy "Glass Man" Connolly (just joking, he's been good this season!), in an uncomfortable position. He's a finesse guy on a slower, grittier, defensively minded team. Kind of like if Max were here, sans the turnovers.

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i always heard he had a former drug problem.. maybe he relapsed?

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I'd like to make a hookers and blow joke, but I don't think it's a good time for that. Maybe he really was a cokehead?

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mechaphil

Maybe his hunger is gone? The last couple seasons he's been injured quite a bit, so when he played, he gave his all, and he was excited. Maybe now that he's playing all the time, it's just a job again? I don't know.

Is it bad that I laughed at this

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

The game they are playing now is slowing down the top six from the run-and-gun they were playing before. That's about all it boils down too. It's no coincidence that all of the top six are producing less.

I'm not completely unhappy with their numbers being down even if it means losing a few games while scoring two or less. They are playing a style that is better for Miller (or any goalie) and is going to win more games in the long run. If scoring becomes too much of an issue than I would mix up the lines to have a gritty forechecker on every line.

Haha no

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mechaphil

Connolly has been horrible if you ask me. By far the worst of the top 6. I wouldn't mind seeing him on the 4th line.

It seems that TC is puckhandling more with his head up more than before...

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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