Connolly becomes expendable

[Papaduke]

Simon Says that with the deal Connolly looks to be the odd man out... so should we deal him? Should we banish him to the Amerks? I think Connolly and the Sabres need to part ways for the betterment of both parties.

[LALAFONTAINE]

Brown can always be a left winger. In my opinion, he's a much better LW than C. He might be a decent fit with Connolly to help cover up Connolly's defensive liabilities.

[Forum21]

Originally posted by Papaduke
Simon Says that with the deal Connolly looks to be the odd man out...

You think that Begin is going to start the season in Buffal? I see this guy down in Rochester.

[starfirestar]

It all depends on what Derek Roy does in training camp. My gut feeling is that Connolly stays with the Sabres at the start and Roy goes down to Rochester. Unless Roy blows scouts and coaching away at training camp, Connolly will be with the big boys for a while. If Connolly sucks again, then I can see they will trade him at next years trading deadline or sooner. He does have a lot of talent as we've seen when he scores, but he just never plays consistent and can't use his talent all the time, because he is too worried about getting hit.

[Papaduke]

Out of these 3 players who do you want on the 3rd line? Pyatt, Afinogenov or Connolly? And do you play Connolly on the 4th line? I think that the 4th line takes a certain type of player and Connolly is not it.

[LALAFONTAINE]

The way it sits now, I'm guessing Pyatt/Brown/Mair is the checking line, with Afinogenov and Connolly used on the 4th line with a double teamed Satan playing LW. That way, we dress 7 defensemen, with Delmore getting PP time and ES time when we're behind, and Patrick getting SH time and ES time when we're tied or behind.

[sfoote]

Maybe Connolly will have to earn playing time instead of just having it given to him. hopefully this will make him a better player. Watch and learn...and get better hopefully.

[sabrfan]

I thought Connolly was doing better as the season went playing on a line with Mair. he just needs to stop being a baby and get his nose dirty, He had that one game where if i recall got hit with the puck, stitched up and came back out to play.he could have easily have cried baby and sat out. i feel just as some others do that he maybe oddman out, but the difference in him or someone else with his skills, is that we are already familiar with who he is. i say we find a place for him, if its going to be a lateral trade for somone he better have and an upside.

[daryls61]

I would prefer to see Brown go. Connolly is still young and has some flashes of brilliance. It would be a shame to see him do well somewhere else. How long can we wait though??

[sabrfan]

I think under the new owners and the CBA in sight he has at least one more season to show up.

[Player6600]

I think Connolly should be sent to the east coast league.

[Snarf]

Originally posted by Player6600
I think Connolly should be sent to the east coast league.

Its no longer the East Coast Hockey League, it is just the ECHL, because they took over the WCHL and it would make no sense to call it the East Coast Hockey League with teams in Califorina.


As for Connelly, I think if he gets some confindence he could be a good player for the Sabres. The first few games last season he played well, and then it went down the tubes after that and he never recovered. The guy has skills, it is just getting the confidence to use them, and some linemates to put the puck in the net. But then if he plays bad, he is not going to get on a good line.