Leafs vs. Sabres: Tim Connolly Makes His Return To Buffalo

by Zachary Zielonka on Dec 16, 2011 10:01 AM EST

A player that was one of the key pieces of the Michael Peca trade back in 2001, Tim Connolly has been one of the most divisive players in the last few years of his Sabres career. A player that was oft injured and even more criticized about his play, it was time for a change of scenery for Connolly and change happened in the offseason. Friday night is Connolly's first return back to the unfriendly confines of the First Niagara Center with the hated rivals, Toronto Maple Leafs.

No matter what Tim Connolly did on the ice, it wasn't enough for Sabres fans as his play was consistently nitpicked by fans and the media alike. Connolly's best career was during the 2009-10 season where he had 65 points and 48 assists in 73 games, but most Sabres fans mainly remember Connolly's career for all of the concussions he had. Connolly suffered his first concussion in 2003 where he missed the rest of that season after suffering the concussion during the preseason. Connolly's second concussion, and probably most severe, occurred in 2006 during the playoffs against the Ottawa Senators. Connolly missed most of the 2006-07 season due to that concussion and never looked quite the same when he returned.

Connolly has had a good season this year with 15 points, six goals and nine assists, in 18 games with the Maple Leafs. While he isn't the leading scorer for the Leafs, he also isn't expected to be as he is playing on a line with Clarke MacArthur and Colby Armstrong. As long as Connolly contributes on offense and stay healthy, Leafs fans have to be happy with the deal.

It will be interesting to see how Connolly will be received by Sabres fans tonight. Many fans and pundits expect boos, which is the standard response for returning players. Hearing some Bronx cheers though wouldn't be surprising with how Connolly was received during his time here and how many Sabres fans are ambivalent about Connolly now that he is gone. Besides, after Joffrey Lupul's tweet last night, he may not even be enemy number one on the ice.

The Leafs and Sabres take the ice at 7:30 pm.

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Comments

I thought Lupul’s trolling of Buffalo was pretty funny, I wish more players did stuff like that. With that said I hope Kaleta trucks him.

by Frank Reich Revolution on Dec 16, 2011 10:12 AM EST reply actions

The view is a lot better than some of the views I’ve personally had in other NHL Cities. Phoenix/Glendale comes to mind.

"If we needed any more motivation to win a Cup sooner than later, we've got one now," Black said. "I really want to listen to the game that RJ calls when he finally gets to shout out, 'Buffalo wins the Stanley Cup.'"
"Do it or Die Trying."

by FloridaBuffalo on Dec 16, 2011 10:35 AM EST up reply actions

This is downtown Phoenix across from the Convention Center, Chase Field, and the US Airways Center

I’d much rather look at Buffalo from my window. lol

by FloridaBuffalo on Dec 16, 2011 12:29 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t know, you’ve got some nice mountains in the background, it looks warm…

by Frank Reich Revolution on Dec 16, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

I went there in the winter once….It was in the 30’s. Stupid desert….

"Thank you very much fans and let’s go for the next game together!"

— Lubomir Visnovsky

I rec’d that shit.

by Steven Hida on Dec 16, 2011 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

Pheonix’s arena overlooks some farmland.

Mike Weber Pressbox Incarceration Status: Free to roam the blueline.
"I know its a viable strategy and all, but i’d prefer the Flyers not try to take off Miller’s head with every shot."

by Ubiquitous on Dec 16, 2011 1:40 PM EST up reply actions

Good ole Glendale.

by FloridaBuffalo on Dec 16, 2011 3:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Agreed,

although when he can’t use the most basic grammar (are vs. is), it is difficult to take his insult seriously.

by lassathrax on Dec 16, 2011 11:13 AM EST up reply actions

How awesome would it be if Keleta (if he's back) or Kassian

broke that out while chirping?

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Dec 16, 2011 3:05 PM EST up reply actions

The best part is it's not just Buffalo - he's been trolling Habs fans since he arrived too.

The replies to that tweet were hilarious (other than the Grammar police ones)

No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Dec 16, 2011 12:28 PM EST up reply actions

I thought 3MI had a good take on this

What he said isn’t even that harsh. Why not get upset about the actual state of the city and do something to improve it? Why not get mad at the politicians who are preventing that from happening (and have been for years with their greed and desire to pay off their stupid constituencies) and throw them out of office? I love Buffalo because it’s where I’m from, but I don’t expect others to see past its obvious flaws.

by Philaster on Dec 16, 2011 11:45 AM EST reply actions

I wish people would just have fun with it and not get upset one way or the other.

by Frank Reich Revolution on Dec 16, 2011 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

What’d he say anyway? Big brother has us blocked from certain social media at my office.

by VFN FTW on Dec 16, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

He posted the view from his hotel and said “Is there any windowless rooms?”

by Frank Reich Revolution on Dec 16, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions

That’s just good clean fun, I like it.

by VFN FTW on Dec 16, 2011 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

What he said isn’t even that harsh. Why not get upset about the actual state of the city and do something to improve it?

It’s one thing when people who are from there, live there, and struggle there to improve it say it.

It’s another when a pampered pro athlete who cares nothing about the area says it.

I realize it’s Lupul’s opinion — but opinions are like assholes: everybody has one, and some are better kept to themselves . . . Lupul only shows up in Buffalo what, five or six times a year? Him having to look out the window for a couple of hours at downtown shouldn’t kill him . . .

"If You Ain't a Bill I Don't Give a Fxck Bout Ya!! Most Disrespected Team in NFL! I Always feel Disrespected! I'm All In!" -- Steve Johnson

by go_buff on Dec 16, 2011 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

Uh... it was a joke, dude.

Also, I believe that everybody (not just “some”) should keep his asshole to himself.

by chin8tao on Dec 17, 2011 9:47 AM EST up reply actions

No matter what Tim Connolly did on the ice, it wasn’t enough for Sabres fans as his play was consistently nitpicked by fans and the media alike.

It wasn’t what he did on the ice — it was the fact HE SPENT MORE TIME OFF OF IT with injuries.

As for Lupul’s tweet: Joffrey, if it’s a windowless room you desire, I’m sure a nice padded cell can be arranged for you at the State Hospital . . .

"If You Ain't a Bill I Don't Give a Fxck Bout Ya!! Most Disrespected Team in NFL! I Always feel Disrespected! I'm All In!" -- Steve Johnson

by go_buff on Dec 16, 2011 2:18 PM EST reply actions

I mean, it's obviously his fault that he got injured all the time, right?

Right?…

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Dec 16, 2011 3:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

RIGHT, SIR!

Fans criticize him for playing an injury prone game and then criticize him more when he tried to stop playing along the boards in the corners. I guess the only injury he could’ve prevented was his Shaq-robot-dance-practice eye injury before that charity event.

by lassathrax on Dec 16, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

“I mean, it’s obviously his fault that he got injured all the time, right?”

Well, unless that was an avatar, and not actually him on the ice . . .

But you’re right; I suppose other people can be blamed.

Like LIndy — who’s shown his willingness to make people who play poorly watch a game or two from the press box, but for some reason was unable to do so for his son Tim.

Or Darcy — apparently determined to prove that it was he who got the better end of the Peca trade, resigned him for two years {a little more than two years after he had missed almost the entire season.}

"If You Ain't a Bill I Don't Give a Fxck Bout Ya!! Most Disrespected Team in NFL! I Always feel Disrespected! I'm All In!" -- Steve Johnson

by go_buff on Dec 16, 2011 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

Fun info I lifted from Sabres Pregame Notes

Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy will both be playing in their 500th NHL games tonight. The pair will become just the 25th and 26th players to suit up for 500 or more games with the Sabres in franchise history, and join Jochen Hecht as the only other active SabreS on the list. Vanek (415 pts) and Roy (403 pts) are 12th and 13th respectively in all-time franchise scoring.

by VFN FTW on Dec 16, 2011 2:23 PM EST reply actions

If I still lived anywhere near Buffalo I would show up with my Connolly jersey on and give him a standing ovation.

by JSCoope on Dec 16, 2011 4:24 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

He’s a hardworking kid from upstate who made it to the show and never says anything bad about the fans no matter what they said about him.

He deserves some respect for the blood sweat and tears.

If he scores the gamewinner though I’ll swear at him, but will still think highly of him.

by VFN FTW on Dec 16, 2011 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I can hear the panting

The Leaf’s players and fans have been waiting all season for tonight’s game. They anticipate a big win over my Sabres tonight. It’s a four-point night for the team that wins it all in regulation, and they expect to get that win. Toronto’s management out did themselves this year in making prudent moves to improve the team. Those moves have paid off, the Leafs are actually competative this year. The Sabres, on the other hand, improved the defense but did nothing substantial to improve the offense, and their unimaginative coaching staff has fielded a predictable, boring hockey team.

If we Sabres fans are dejected and disappoint today, I expect we will feel even worse tomorrow. Miller has to steal this one; it’s the only chance we have. Otherwise we lose 5 to 1.

by Geolover on Dec 16, 2011 6:09 PM EST reply actions