Trade: Brooks Laich for Tim Connolly?

by JSCoope on Feb 23, 2011 3:56 PM EST

I've always loved Laich and Mike Knuble (although at this point Knuble might turn out into another Grier/Nieds over the hill situation, so let's focus on Laich) and feel like they would be perfect fits for Buffalo. Washington is having a tough time living up to expectations and are in need of a 2nd line Centers. Laich is having a down year like the rest of the Caps, but he is still a gritty forward with scoring punch who gets in the dirty areas around the net and plays a defensively responsible game. If he stepped in this season he could also step into the Captain role by next season.

I'm not sure exactly how it works but Laich's hit is about 550,000 and Tim's is around 1.1 mil.... If we could just make the switch it would be my preference, otherwise maybe we could get Knuble to make the deal work (about 600,000 cap hit) and give up a roster space (Nieds?) so and fit Knuble in the 3rd or 4th line.

Why would the Caps do it? They need a #2 Center and Connolly has the skill to fit the role perfectly, with a change of scenery he could excel with the personnel the Caps have.

Why the Caps don't do it? They are weak at Center as it is, and this trade is simply a Center for Center swap. Yes they gain their 2nd line C, but they lose one of their leaders and a gritty third line C. Who fills that role? Also, Connolly's deal expires at the end of the year so they would have to resign him (this could also be a reason FOR this trade though, give him a tryout, if it doesn't work then he's off the books at seasons end).

Why the Sabres do it? Everything points to Connolly being gone at the end of the year, this just speeds up the process and also brings in a replacement that can step into the 2nd line between Ennis and Stafford, providing some defensive awareness, toughness and net presence to that line. It gives us a guy that is perfect for Lindy's system that would become a fan favourite pretty quickly in my opinion. He comes from a winning organization, has playoff experience, has some scoring touch. Laich is also at a very friendly cap hit and his numbers are down, meaning his value has likely dropped (I'm not worried about numbers due to the fact that ALL of the Caps numbers are down).

Why the Sabres don't do it? Laich may be a borderline 2nd line C, he is a PERFECT 3rd liner but putting him on the 2nd line may be a bit of stretch, or it could turn out perfectly. A straight up Connolly-Laich deal may be under selling Connolly, especially with the lack of quality Centers on the market (like I said I'm not sure how exactly the numbers would work, i'm just proposing the Connolly and Laich be the centerpieces of the deal, I'm sure there would be more parts to it.)

thoughts?

This is a fanpost written by a member of the community, it doesn't necessarily express the views or opinions of Die by the Blade

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Comments

Brooks Liach, is very intriguing!

I really like your idea, he would be a really good fit. He’s a really hard worker, which I hope could rub off on the guys. The thought of Tim Connolly with the skilled guys on the caps is pretty scary, that’s if he doesn’t get injured or decides to play.

"If anyone epitomized Cougar grit and courage, Jason Gesser did that." - Bob Robertson

by Cougz4Life509 on Feb 23, 2011 5:27 PM EST reply actions

Laich and a 3rd round pick sounds more reasonable (for us anyway).

If Chris Kelly can get a 2nd rounder, Connolly should be able to fetch more than a borderline 2nd line center.

I’m thinking LA is his more likely destination anyway.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Feb 23, 2011 7:40 PM EST reply actions

I’d be pretty happy with that deal if the contracts worked.

by JSCoope on Feb 23, 2011 9:36 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, please.

Laich is a hard working, does-what-it-takes, shows up every night type of player. He can get you 20-25 and 50-60 points if put in theright situations (i.e. NOT playing with all plumbers). If you could get him re-signed, he would be a good, veteran leader. One who can still PLAY the game, unlike Grier, Nieds and Rivet.

Exactly why Washington WOULDN’T do this trade.

But I’d sure love to see it.

by powerslave on Feb 24, 2011 9:43 AM EST reply actions

Love it

But it’s never gonna happen. The Caps love Brooks Laich, and he loves them. They aren’t gonna trade this guy for Tim Connolly. Powerslave pretty much described the kind of player he is, and he would be great for this team, it’s just never gonna happen.

"I don’t understand why so many actually do believe in [Fitz]. Because he had a surprising season, threw a handful of TD’s and was better than the previous pile of manure the Bills put in at QB? That’s not good enough" - K

by willgarr15 on Feb 24, 2011 12:07 PM EST reply actions

I think its a ppossibility. It’s an ideal situation but the fact that the Caps have been “struggling” may open up an oppurtunity.

by JSCoope on Feb 24, 2011 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

It’s possible I guess in the sense that anything is possible. This guy would be their Captain if it weren’t for Ovie, and quite honestly is more deserving, they just gave it to Ovie cause they didn’t have a C and Pittsburgh gave theirs to Sid.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Feb 24, 2011 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

No

Don’t want anything to do with this trade. Don’t like it. Granted Tim hasn’t been every thing we’ve wanted, but I think this would be an extreme fleecing on Washington’s part.

by danabob on Feb 26, 2011 1:21 PM EST reply actions