TSN: Leafs' Connolly placed on waivers - McKenzie: Cleared waivers.

[4evaBlue]

By all accounts, Connolly has a bad season, and a bad camp this year. McClement brings a totally different game. He could get 10 points on the season and still be more valuable than a 36 point Connolly because of the PK and shutdown abilities that he brings.

Right, a 4th line grinder, which should have no effect on Connolly's status. Right now, we have too many 4th liners: Brown, Komarov, Steckel, McClement, Orr, and maybe Frattin.

I don't even know if Frattin will be in the top 9 (with Komarov reportedly impressing), but he brings a better game than Connolly. He is more physical and has a much better shot.

He has the body to be more physical, but he hasn't used it much unpurpose in the NHL. Connolly is much better defensively, can play either wing, or center, has much better vision, and can be used in all special teams situations.

Basically Connolly has no niche on this team. He was brought as an experiment between Lupul and Kessel, but that didn't work, leaving him no where else on the roster that he fits in ideally.

Just because it's not an "ideal" fit doesn't mean he's not better than some players who are fitted into certain slots. Heck, half of the team plays in a position where they don't "ideally" fit.

 

[Bomber0104]

I'd imagine the Lombardi and Connolly decisions have been in the works for a while.

I bet you if Burke was still here they would be here still.

Used as pawns to try and save his job a little longer.

 

[Warrior16]

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger
For clarification, the Leafs don't intend on buying out Connolly. If he clears he will very likely be assigned to the Marlies.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

If he clears waivers and we trade him, he would be on another teams farm team, and they would have to put him on waivers again to get him back up? Am I right?

 

[JEI]

If he clears waivers and we trade him, he would be on another teams farm team, and they would have to put him on waivers again to get him back up? Am I right?

No recall waivers I don't believe. So they wouldn't have to put him on waivers and can demote him whenever (if I understand it correctly).

 

[Fenton]

On TSN radio today they were talking about Connolly's lack of effort in practice yesterday. I think it was Jamie McClennan who said it was like he had a suit on under his gear and was trying to keep it in perfect condition?

Anyways, either he knew yesterday, or he really just doesn't care to play hockey anymore. Too bad, he sometimes showed flashes of brilliance, but he never gave it his all, and constantly feigned injuries. I guess he has the last laugh though, because he is a millionaire and will live very comfortably for the rest of his life.

 

[Morbo]

I'd imagine the Lombardi and Connolly decisions have been in the works for a while.

Anything you're seeing them do, or that they will do in the near to mid term, Burke was going to do anyway. It's not like Nonis is going to be executing some dramatically different plan he just made up since Burke's firing.

 

[ULF_55]

Maybe someone can verify, but I get that the Leafs have 53 NHL contracts with 3 of them Slides.

So the Leafs are at a contract max.

 

[Bomber0104]

On TSN radio today they were talking about Connolly's lack of effort in practice yesterday. I think it was Jamie McClennan who said it was like he had a suit on under his gear and was trying to keep it in perfect condition?

Anyways, either he knew yesterday, or he really just doesn't care to play hockey anymore. Too bad, he sometimes showed flashes of brilliance, but he never gave it his all, and constantly feigned injuries. I guess he has the last laugh though, because he is a millionaire and will live very comfortably for the rest of his life.

He showed some life at the end of the year when he fought.

And he wasn't afraid of blocking a shot.

I don't mind him altogether, but there's just not enough roster spots to have a guy like him.

I like players who dont use visors.

 

[Bomber0104]

Anything you're seeing them do, or that they will do in the near to mid term, Burke was going to do anyway. It's not like Nonis is going to be executing some dramatically different plan he just made up since Burke's firing.

I disagree. I think Brian Burke would've kept the players he signed because he thinks that Kadri and Frattin won't be able to accomplish what they can.

Dave Nonis can afford to be patient because he has job security, unlike Mr. I Finish In Last Place with No First Round Pick Brian Burke.

 

[ACC1224]

Anything you're seeing them do, or that they will do in the near to mid term, Burke was going to do anyway. It's not like Nonis is going to be executing some dramatically different plan he just made up since Burke's firing.

I get that.

 

[JEI]

Maybe someone can verify, but I get that the Leafs have 53 NHL contracts with 3 of them Slides.

So the Leafs are at a contract max.

I think they have 48 contracts in total, including those who slide - according to quick cap geek count.

EDIT: Sorry, 50 contracts in total (they had Orr and Connolly out of the count) including slide deals.

 

[New Liskeard]

Sucks that after Perry and Getzlaf, there isn't much else available.
I can't see Anaheim not resigning those guys.

Must not have read the same UFA list I had seen. Plenty of players in the upcoming UFA that would help the Leafs, not to mention Backstrom, Thomas, Clowe, Morrow, Horton, Clarkson and many many others.

 

[Bomber0104]

Must not have read the same UFA list I had seen. Plenty of players in the upcoming UFA that would help the Leafs, not to mention Backstrom, Thomas, Clowe, Morrow, Horton, Clarkson and many many others.

The window to re-sign them has just opened up or is nearing there.

We might see a few names drop off, but those forwards there look awfully tempting.

Big, strong, two-way players are just what we need for our top six!!

 

[JEI]

Must not have read the same UFA list I had seen. Plenty of players in the upcoming UFA that would help the Leafs, not to mention Backstrom, Thomas, Clowe, Morrow, Horton, Clarkson and many many others.

Likely a few more added after potential buyouts this summer.

 

[ULF_55]

I think they have 48 contracts in total, including those who slide - according to quick cap geek count.

Yes, 21 and 2 isn't 25 d'ohhh. That's why a second set of eyes is important.

Forwards: 13
Defenders: 8
Goalie: 2
Buried: 1 (Orr)
Prospects: 27 (3 slide)

So they have room for 2 players, if they weren't trades/swaps.

 

[Mansfield]

i imagine he'll be claimed, but if he doesn't he'd help replace aucoin on the marlies

 

[ULF_55]

Yes, 21 and 2 isn't 25 d'ohhh. That's why a second set of eyes is important.

Forwards: 13
Defenders: 8
Goalie: 2
Buried: 1 (Orr)
Prospects: 27 (3 slide)

So they have room for 2 players, if they weren't trades/swaps.

Okay, just updated there:

Forwards: 12
Defenders: 8
Goalie: 2
Buried: 2 (Orr, Connolly)
Prospects: 26 (3 slide)

What happened to a prospect?

 

[LEAFSIN4]

Honestly? Phaneuf, Rielly, Gardiner are core pieces. Gunnar as a 5/6. We need another top dman and a better top 4 dman to really survive. A system needs to be put into place however as well. Goaltending is an issue. We won't win with Reimer/Scrivens.

Forwards are a bit more difficult. Look at the forwards from the previous cup champions.

Kopitar/Brown/Richards/Carter/Penner/Wlliams
Krecji/Lucic/Marchand/Bergeron/Peverly/Ryder
Toews/Kane/Sharp/Hossa/Bolland/Versteeg

We do need a system. Maybe a more structured game can see more results. I think if we win a cup, Lupul might be on it. Komorov/McClement as fourth line guys. Kulemin potentially as a third liner. Maybe JVR as well. But even Kessel. I don't see us ever winning a cup with Kessel as our #1 player. He's too shy physically to compete in the playoffs as the #1 guy. I know people will point out his stats in Boston but the truth is, he wasn't the main guy. The same reason he went +30 during that season. Teams didn't focus on him. We can see it when teams focus physically on him. He's not a physical guy. He gets pushed around. Maybe we win the cup with Grabovski as our third line centre, But I don't see it as our number 2. I know people like him here. I'm not. To each his own. I was never a fan of him to be honest.

Look at our team now. We aren't even close to a playoff spot, let alone a Cup. Major pieces have to be added especially in the centre position. We need a forward who's great defensively. Look at the previous cup winners. They have amazing shutdown centres. Bolland/Sharp, Staal, Datsyuk, Bergeron, Richards. Defensive minded centres that are fantastic. Grabovski doesn't really fit that profile.

I'd rather have Grabo over Penner, Williams, Bolland, Versteeg, Peverely and Ryder. The top 3 players on all those teams were all drafted and developed by their respective teams (except Richards). They were groomed in a system from the beginning of their pro hockey careers and have excelled with the same team. Building a contender takes patience, and we need players taht we have developed to play big roles towards our success.

Grabovski has done nothing but prove that he is one of the core pieces on this team and we need players that we have developed. He may have started in MTL but to me he's been a Leaf for life and I hope it stays that way. I don't know how guys like Zajac get more rep than Grabo, it's ridiculous.

 

[cyris]

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger
For clarification, the Leafs don't intend on buying out Connolly. If he clears he will very likely be assigned to the Marlies.

Its sad that had to be clarified. It seemed obvious.

 

[New Liskeard]

Likely a few more added after potential buyouts this summer.

Thats right, combine that with the ability to take on cap in trades, the potential is there for this to be one of the bussiest off-seasons in a very long time. I;m convinced Nonis will take on a contract via trade, then use the buyout exception on the player while taking on picks and or prospects.

 

[david999]

Thats right, combine that with the ability to take on cap in trades, the potential is there for this to be one of the bussiest off-seasons in a very long time. I;m convinced Nonis will take on a contract via trade, then use the buyout exception on the player while taking on picks and or prospects.

I believe this will happen. It is time for the Leafs to use what they have to improve the team, ie, their financial muscle.

 

[rumman]

I'm becoming impressed with Nonis, so far the moves Burke wouldn't make Nonis has, shedding Lombo, Connelly is a great start, finding a trade for Komi would go along way to correcting 2 of Burkes dumb signings.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

The bigger picture is what Nonis is signalling with the last 2 moves, Draft, Develop, and Promote is the new philosophy.

Who's next? Nonis is going to make room for the better Marlies, this year is looking like getting experience for guys like Kadri, Frattin, Ashton, Colborne all in good time. Like the direction Nonis is taking, it's about time someone is looking at the big picture here. Maybe Rogers/Bell knew what they were doing afterall.

 

[New Liskeard]

I'm becoming impressed with Nonis, so far the moves Burke wouldn't make Nonis has, shedding Lombo, Connelly is a great start, finding a trade for Komi would go along way to correcting 2 of Burkes dumb signings.

Not sure why the sense of urgency to trade komi. Leafs have very little in the way of right handed d, and stay at home D, not to mention he has one more year left on his deal, and the Leafs have more than enough cap space.