Tim Connolly is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury, but coach Ron Wilson said the ailment is not serious. He was kept off the ice for practice for a second straight day on Wednesday. Connolly has struggled with injuries in the past, so this isn't going to create a positive outlook for him on draft day but it is also fairly early. Keep an eye on his status closer to the start of the regular season.

Tim Connolly is enthusiastic to start the season healthy and has even arrived ahead of training camp wanting to make an early impression in Toronto. "I think it's more important every year guys start skating earlier. The training camps are a lot shorter, you're there a few days and you're right into exhibition," said Connolly. The former Buffalo Sabre is by and large a point-per-game player who has underachieved throughout his career due to various injuries. The highly skilled playmaker should render ample results with Phil Kessel on the team's top line and will brush the 75-point mark this season barring injuries.

Tim Connolly participated in a game of shinny with some of his new Toronto teammates on Tuesday. He skated with Tyler Bozak and Colby Armstrong on the blue team, while Jonas Gustavsson and Nazem Kadri played for the white squad. There were a number of AHL players from the Marlies on the ice as well. Connolly reiterated how excited he is to be playing with the Maple Leafs and that he wants to get the 2011-12 season started.

Tim Connolly knows he will have to take on a more veteran role this season. Connolly is 30 years old, a more experienced player on the young Leafs squad. "I can bring my experience" he said in an interview. It appears he has changed his attitude since being much criticized by the Buffalo media. He will still need to improve his faceoffs, which hovered at 48% last season.

Former Buffalo Sabres teammate Clark MacArthur envisions good things for Tim Connolly this season on a line with Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. "He's a great passer. Those two are great shooters. We needed help up the middle. To get him will be great," MacArthur said. "The fans are going to appreciate what he brings to the table, and his hockey style. It's a great fit." Connolly is also projected to play in power play and penalty kill situations for the Maple Leafs in 2011-12. He could be in for a strong year if he can avoid the dreaded injury bug that has plagued him for most of his career.

The addition of Tim Connolly should provide a boost to the Maple Leafs' power play. Connolly was a power play specialist for the Sabres thanks to his slick puck skills and should be an equally productive addition for the Toronto man advantage. The rub with Connolly, of course, has to do with his ability to stay healthy, which will always be a major question mark.

It is now official: The Maple Leafs have signed Tim Connolly to a two-year, $9.5 million deal. Well the rumors turned out to be true as Connolly is on his way to Toronto. Although we have not been tremendous supporters of Connolly in the past due to his injury history and his less than all-out commitment to defensive hockey, he will be a very good set up man for sniper Phil Kessel. The Buds needed a playmaker to feed Kessel and once Brad Richards was off the board, Connolly was the next best pivot. We caution Toronto fans to keep their expectations of Connolly in check. That said, we believe he could have a very successful tenure in Hogtown from an offensive perspective.

A number of reputable hockey twitter users are reporting that the Maple Leafs are turning their attention to free agent Tim Connolly. Now that the Buds are out of the Brad Richards sweepstakes, they have gone to Plan B to solve their first-line center problem. We are not sure Connolly is the solution. We believe Jason Arnott would be a better fit. Stay tuned.

Tim Connolly has not received a contract offer from the Buffalo Sabres, according to his agent, J.P. Barry. "We haven't gotten into the stage of making offers to each other," Barry said. "We're just talking about whether or not there's a chance and whether or not it makes sense for them and for us to do something. He's been there a long time, and Tim still feels very strongly about the Sabres. We're going to keep talking here." Barry also commented that it is uncertain at this time if Connolly will re-sign with the Sabres or see what else is available on July 1 as an unrestricted free agent.

Buffalo GM Darcy Regier has spoken with Tim Connolly's agent about re-signing with the Sabres. The oft-injured forward is slated to hit unrestricted free agency later this week, but Buffalo would like to have him back. Connolly made $4.5 million this past season, while appearing in 68 games and producing 42 points.