Connolly MIA with sore groin

The Sabres are back on the ice after a day off, with one notable -- and usual -- exception. Tim Connolly is the only player absent. They're practicing now, so we'll have to wait until Lindy Ruff's post-practice chat to find out where his oft-injured center is.

Forward lines at the moment:

Thomas Vanek-Derek Roy-Ales Kotalik

Clarke MacArthur-Jochen Hecht-Jason Pominville

Maxim Afinogenov-Adam Mair-Drew Stafford

Daniel Paille-Paul Gaustad-Patrick Kaleta

Spares: Andrew Peters, Matt Ellis

POST-PRACTICE UPDATE

Ruff says Connolly has a sore groin. The coach is hoping that with a day or two of rest, Connolly will be able to play Friday.

---John Vogl

Comments

[pjm]

It's amazing to me that Regier hasn't taken any heat for resigning the guy a few years back. We all knew what would happen. Timmy's great when he's not hurt, but he's never not been hurt.

[Joe Biondo]

oooooooooo, big suprise, he's like made of paper. I got it!!!! lets just put in a freakin bubble. Bubble boy connolly. he won't be hit, he'll bounce of the boards nicely, he can't trip off the curb, He certainly would be safe from any unidentified flying objects.....Oh, I forgot one thing "the skates" that might be a problem, for sure he'd be off until they could patch up the bubble.....
hahahhaa

[jan]

Connolly "rested" instead of precticing before -- I thought he wouldn't be back until he could practice hard and play in games as well. It's looking like Connolly will finish out his contract with Buffalo, and then probably end up retiring (or taking a pay cut and play somewhere else) I doubt he'll be given another contract with the Sabres, and he'll have trouble finding another NHL team who's willing to gamble on him staying healthy long enough.

[b]

This guy is the new grant hill. Tons of talent, but is ALWAYS hurt.

[SabresFan in DC]

This guy just can't catch a break. Well, unless the break involves a body part.

[greg]

when is his contract up? i dont think teams want such a liability so a trade is out of the question.

[dan]

who didn't expect this?

[P.E. Carr in Calgary]

LaFontaine and Connolly are Exhibits A and B why the NHL should ban checks to the head. Do fans want to watch talent and skill, or just thugs knocking people out? If you check Connolly's stats, he did not miss a single game in his first 3 or 4 years until the hits to the head and concussions started. But he is still a skilled and courageous competitor - did you see him go end to end in NJ even though he had lost his helmet? I hope this is just a precautionary rest for Tim.

[PJ]

Let me guess. Connolly has a bruised/hairline fractured/sprained/torn knee/back/hip/neck and will be day-to-day.