Sure, but still, out of all the guys, he was the one he let go. It might be nothing, but I worry it's something.
Again, I am giving Connelly a clean slate to start the season. I hope he ends up being a real good player. But I am a little worried.
Yep, I think this is clearly relevant context.
Other important context: Chiarelli acquired Connolly knowing his back was against the wall. That is, the B's were borderline playoffs and he failed to pull off bigger moves (or was blocked from doing so on Vermette by Neely?), so Connolly might be seen as a panic buy-- just so Chiarelli could say he did "something" at the deadline, knowing fans would be pissed.
Moreover, the fact that Yzerman was willing to make the move without shopping Connolly more widely suggests the bounty he got from Boston was better than (or no worse than) he predicted get would from anyone, if he shopped Connolly around at the deadline.
I'm willing to be patient, but from what I've seen so far, I'm not convinced Connolly has the hockey IQ to be a top 6 forward for the B's. I'm not sure another third liner is a great return on two 2nd rounders, given we seem to have a logjam of bottom 6 forwards right now.