Different thoughts on Connolly?

Everybody's taken their shots at Tim Connolly's toughness through years. It's usually warranted because there have been a history of injuries that were supposed to sideline him for a day or two that turn into monthlong ordeals.

But not this time. The center told The News on Saturday he broke his rib Nov. 12 when Keith Tkachuk blasted him. Despite that injury, Connolly actually suited up two nights later and played a team-high 21:06.

"I've never played through that much pain in my life," he said.

He knew something was wrong even though a first examination revealed little. X-rays the second time showed a clean break. It hurt to breathe, yet he sucked in more air than anyone else against Columbus on Nov. 14.

"I give him a lot of credit for muscling his way through one game," coach Lindy Ruff said last week.

No argument here.

---John Vogl

Comments

[Buffalo Excuses]

tim,

I understand what you are saying and I only partially agree with Jerry.

I think Ruff has to be struggling more than we are. Sort of feel sorry for him cause I like and respect the guy.

I will let this die cause I don't really want to keep adding to the criticism of Ruff. Fearful of the outcome.

[PGR88]

Tim Connolly is a highly skilled player, but he just isn't healthy enough, often enough to be worth it.

it's sad really.

[ol'Mace]

Ok, so we are supposed to cheer because he made it through a game ?

Yes yes, toughness and grit.

Kick him to the curb please.

[tim]

How can anyone who is not in the room possibly know he is not tearing them a new @$$hole after the games or before/after practice. If he is calling them out in the media can't we give him the benefit of the doubt that he has given them a stern talkin-to or do we just automatically assume he is a jerk?

[Buffalo Excuses]

tim,

Go scratch. That was a fairly legit comment. No need to belittle.

I am a Ruff fan, but so far he has escaped scrutiny.

Please, share your wisdom with us all. What would you do?

[tim]

yeah Jerry, you're right. I am surprised he would be so cordial to some of those guys the way he was after game in the room on saturday night. I missed the team meeting but since you were there can you give me your notes?

[Jerry]

Completely different direction. Can anyone at the Buffalo News tell me why Lindy's leadership and coaching direction has not been brought into question in this newspaper yet?
It always seems to the players or we did not work hard enough. When does it come out.......the plan is bad and we need to take advantage of the players we have?
I believe that the players are done with Lindy's approach, his failure to take advantage of their skills and also they are very tired of Lindy's use of the media to call out players. If you are a man do it in the dressing room and not in the media. How many coaches in many sports have worn out their welcome with this approach?
I am sorry, but Lindy is equally responsible or more so for this team's performance and the media is failing to pick up on it.

[Bster]

We miss Connolly. More so, because his replacement(s) are in Portland for some reason (see Kennedy and Gerbe)

Regardless, this kid is a special player. He comes from long stretches off and makes playing in the NHL seem like a ride on a bike. He is suddenly on top again...right away.

Unfortunately, it never lasts very long. Save him for the playoffs and always remember the first year after the strike, in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs, when he was the very best player in the NHL.......and then he had his head down, coming through the middle....ouch.

Folks, it really is easy to be negative. Stray far from my lawn, though, I appreciate creators and seekers of the positive. Still, despite those longings, I'd still bite you right on through, on your own turf....in your own game...

Go Sabres......Time to make a comeback....

B

[rusty]

Maple Leafs just traded Steen and Colaiacova for Lee Stempniak. Here is a team and management who try and rebuild from scratch to get competitive. So far they are still struggling, but I bet they will get better in long run than our tired timid team. While Darcy sits comfortably on his behind people from this league make trades, hire players and coaches ...not in Buffalo.

[Tim]

TPack:

1) Yes, they go down early. Their mentality is something along the lines of "They have to be able to get the puck up to score on us.

2) As a player, you go where the puck goes. If it goes behind the net, you go behind the net. Sometimes it's about possession, not shooting from the front of the net.

3) It would be a monumental mistake to shoot the puck all of the time on the power play. Yes, a few might get through. But the overwhelming majority will get blocked and could even lead to multiple short-handed breakaways for the other team. You can't always shoot, because it could be really bad, not really good.

As a fan, I'm really concerned about the type of goals the Sabres have been giving up recently. They seem to be deflections that could be controlled. They always seem to give those up, especially the ones that go in off of our own players. It never seems to be the Sabres scoring those goals.

[TPack]

Let's just pose three questions here and see if I'm alone in my thoughts.
1) Does it seem like 75% of the goals scored ON the Sabres goalies are over the goalies shoulders or high in the net? It seems like our goalies will fall quickly to the ice and not protect the upper corners. Maybe some coaching is needed to prevent them from hitting the ice so quickly, thus leaving the upper parts unprotected. You know the opposition scouts those types of things.
2) Why are there more Sabres players behind the opposition's net than in front of it when they're on the attack? I am but a meager fan, but it seems more goals are scored from the front than back.
3) How many more YEARS, not games, are the Sabres going to play "pass the puck" on the power play than "shoot the puck" each time? We get it; you can all pass the pack back-and-forth...you made the NHL, after all. Now, show us the shots on goal...who knows, one or two might go in.
Have a great day, y'all.

[Burgandy]

For me it is not all winning and losing. I like watching exciting flashy players play. This is even true with Max. Why not let Connelly play out this year, hoping his luck will change. Hockey is getting too defensive - dull. I miss the flair.

[Tim]

Unfortunately TJ, they can't just put him on long-term IR. He has to have a medical reason for that. And by medical, I mean he's got to have a reason to be out more than 60 days in a row. A broken rib is not a reason and he won't be on long-term IR. The team and league doctors won't allow that.

What's sad with Connolly is his injuries seem to mount on top of his other injuries. After the Schaefer concussion, he missed more time because he was misdiagnosed (he really had a neck problem and could have played a few months into the season if he had the proper diagnosis in time) then he got hurt again with the stress fracture trying to rush back from the neck and concussion thing. Then last year, he gets the bone spurs after the torn labrum. This year, he gets back from a broken back and he's got a broken rib. He needs a full-body cast...or a bubble while he's playing.

[TJ]

I agree - the Connolly pipe dream and wishes for recovery need to have a reality check. Put him on long-term IR and either call up Gerbe or trade for a proven #2 center to give some depth behind Roy. Connolly can't be relied on.

[bean]

The last guy I saw in this league who had his head down as much as Connolly was Lindros. Even at his size, Lindros was knocked into oblivion by several concussions because he often put himself in a position to get hurt. Connolly doesn't have the body to absorb these hits, and while I think that it is right to give him credit for playing with a broken rib, I fear that the next time he won't be so lucky. He's one good head shot away from being done.

[Mark]

Place him on IR and bring up some of the kids. When he is healthy bring him back. The contract is done after the season, either the Sabres or another team can decide if he is worth the risk to sign at the league minimum for one year.

[michael]

Chad,

I wasn't ripping Roy/Pomer, I just said the were NOT 1st line guys. Try reading, instead of reacting. I think Buffalo fans and Buffalo management has them over rated. Thats all. You can throw Miller and Gausted into that mix as well. I think you'll be hard pressed to find many objective fans that disagree. Connolly is the second most talented player on the team, out side of Vanek. That is a fact, he is just hurt all the time. I'm not advacating he stay with the team next year, I'm simpling stating facts.

[Mac]

I'm with Excuses on this one. Connolly is the most fragile player I've ever seen. Toughness? Puhlease...

[Jon]

Tim's got a lot of talent, but he doesn't seem to have the physical make-up for pro hockey. (Is that an understatement?) That's too bad for him. And the Sabres and us.

I don't think he's faking or mentally soft. He just gets hurt often and heals slowly. It's got to be incredibly frustrating for him. Despite that, when he plays, it's like he's missed only a game or two, not weeks. I feel bad for the guy.

[Cari]

Connolly is an extremely gifted player, and he's definitely tough if he's willing to play through bone spurs and broken ribs. But he is a liability to the team's chemistry, because he is so detrimental to our lineup. He's one of those players that, if healthy, is going to play. But when he's not, lines are shuffled, and everything starts from square one. I'm a big Connolly supporter, but even I say it's time to let him go. We need reliability and stability, and they're not coming from Tim.

[Chad]

Michael, you're spending all your time ripping Roy and Pominville, but defending Connolly. That sums it up quite nicely right there.

[abdul]

I respect that Tim came back to play the following game, but his inability to stay on the ice is maddening. I believe that he has played less than half the games the Sabres have played since he signed his 3-year deal.

[Don H]

Don Cherry,someone who usually turns me off on a regular basis, did make an accurate prediction a few seasons ago when he warned that Connolly would not survive long in the NHL unless he started playing with his head up.

[Buffalo Excuses]

Constantlyhurtelly will go down as The Greatest Sabre Who Never Played The Game. We should name an award after him, The TGSWNPTG Award...pronounced TuhGuSWiNPoTtaGe Award. The tropy will be a bronzed hospital bed pan. Also, an Excuses Ticket Season Holder will be randomly drawn and receive and warm enema bag to be personally presented by the annual winner. (This is The Excuses best attempt to steal a marketing idea from Pittsburgh). Sorry though, this trophy will not be bronzed as The Excuses can't afford such luxuries.

Couldn't agree more on his raw talent and they are a much better team with him. Fact is, he aint here. Facts were, we pretty much knew that going into this season.

Is that a ground hog? Nope it's Timballina on the "week to week, maybe he will be ready for the playoffs/LAST FREAKING GAME OF THE NON PLAYOFF SEASON" list.

[Derek]

Sorry, Tim. Maybe if you kept your head up EVER that i'd feel a bit bad, or a bit sympathetic.

[michael]

Back in 2005 before Connelly got his head ripped off by Scheubet in the playoffs, he was showing signs that he could be an elite player. After the Sabres signed him I thought it was a great move and would prove to be worth their money. I was definatly wrong, however I probably still would have signed him to that deal. He is by far the most creative gifted player the Sabres have, outside of Vanek. It is scary to think what he could have been if he just stayed healthy. I think he is just as gifted as some of the superstars in this league.

I'm not so sure I would question his toughness. Concusions are not to be taken lightly, after all that is what finally ending Pat Lafontains career. I don't know enough about his hip injury last year, and a broken rib is extremely painfull. Bottom line, great player when he is healthy just hurt more than he is healthy. It will be a sad day when he leaves next year. What a gifted player.

[BigDMavs]

Like it or not the Sabres are a much better team with Connolly in the lineup. He adds a creative spark that they do not have without him. We need to hope he can squeeze enough games out of his body to allow us to make the playoffs. At the end of the year, we can cut him loose, but we will need to have someone to backfill him that is creative ...Gerbe?

[Buffalo Excuses]

Please.