Tim Connolly
Tim Connolly was born in Baldwinsville, New York, and began his playing career for the Eerie Otters of the OHL. He spent two years with the Otters and was drafted in 1999, fifth overall, by the New York Islanders in the NHL Entry Draft. Connolly headed straight for the Islanders after that, making his NHL debut in the 1999-2000 season and playing the full year in Long Island. He spent the following year there too and then was sent to Buffalo to play with the Sabres in 2001-2002. Connolly missed the entire 2003-2004 NHL season with post-concussion syndrome after suffering a concussion in a pre-season game that year. He spent half of the NHL lockout season playing in the Swiss League and then returned to the Sabres when play resumed in the NHL. Connolly missed 80 games in the 2006-2007 NHL season, once again with post-concussion syndrome stemming from a concussion he suffered in the 2006 playoffs. He did return to action, however, in April of 2007. Connolly is blessed with amazing quickness. He is a creative player with great hands and can deke his way out of most situations. Connolly obviously has a history of concussion problems, however, which may get in the way of top-end offensive expectations. He needs to be stronger and more effective without the puck, too, and lacks the durability to enter high traffic areas with much success. Connolly is a career second line center on most teams in the NHL.
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