Maple Leafs Sign Tim Connolly to Two-Year Deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they have signed center Tim Connolly to a two-year contract worth $9.5 million. The deal will pay him $5.5 million in the first year and $4 million in the second year. In 68 games last season with the Buffalo Sabres, he had 13 goals and 29 assists for 42 points. This is a decent signing for the Maple Leafs, as Connolly will bring lots of offensive skill and veteran depth to their forward lines. He's also an excellent stickhandler and great on the power play. However, he has a history of injury problems which often times hamper his offensive production. If he can stay healthy, Connolly should be a decent offensive contributor for the team throughout the duration of the contract.

Sabres Sign Center Connolly to 2-Year Extension

Tim Connolly is officially off the market on deadline day. The Buffalo Sabres announced that they have re-signed the center to a two-year contract extension worth $9 million. The deal averages out to $4.5 million per season. Connolly was the subject of trade rumors over the past few weeks, and at one point, it was almost a certainty that he would be traded. He has been limited to 29 games this season because of injuries, scoring 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points. Connolly has missed lots of time over the past few season due in large part to a series of concussions. This is a decent move by the Sabres despite the fact that Connolly is an injury-prone player. He has tremendous offensive skills and is excellent on the power play. If Connolly can stay healthy next season, he should be a major offensive contributor to the Sabres next season. This singing also shows the team's new policy on re-signing impending free agents before July 1, something that cost them the services of Chris Drury, Daniel Briere, Mike Grier, and Jay McKee in the past.