While we're on the subject of Connolly -- and is Mike Milbury about the goofiest analyst there is in the game or what? -- Sully and I had a spirited talk during his chat Wednesday and in the press box during the game about trading the Sabres' red-hot center. Sully presents his argument again in his column this morning.
His theory is that Connolly is a UFA after the season and he's playing so well that his value has never been higher so you should deal him now. I think Sully had a little too much wine and cheese at his Super Bowl party.
Connolly and Ryan Miller are reasons 1A and 1B (pick your order) the Sabres have been playing so well during 2009. What kind of message are you sending to your fans and your team trading one of your top guys now?
When Brian Campbell was dealt last year, the Sabres were going nowhere, there were other defensemen (namely Andrej Sekera) who could fill some of that role and Campbell was playing lousy anyway. There's no one ready to replace Connolly right now and if you make the playoffs, who knows what happens?
Yes, it appears the Sabres aren't equipped for a deep run right now but they should be adding parts, not subtracting. Trade Connolly now? I say no way, no how.
What do you think?
---Mike Harrington
tagged
NHL trade deadline | Sabres
