It was 98/99 when Boyes, Connolly, and Monty all played together on the Erie Otters.
Connolly and Boyes played on the same line together in 98/99. Lindy Ruff will play them together again Tuesday night in Manhattan. Perhaps the Sabres used Connolly's relationship with Boyes to help broker the deal. Connolly's finder's fee is the confirmation that he will not be traded today.
In 98/99, Connolly and Boyes thrived while playing together.
Connolly scored 34 goals and added 34 helpers in 46 games.
Brad Boyes scored 24 goals, and added 26 assists in 59 games.
Add Thomas Vanek to this productive duo and you've got the makings of a potentially leathal scoring line.
Kevin Snow, my friend from the Sabres shares this excellent stat on Brad Boyes:
New Sabre Brad Boyes is 3rd on NHL Ironman list with 471 games. Has never missed a game due to injury in his career.
Lindy Ruff is going to LOVE this player. he's always on the ice for practice and games, and he is eager to get better every shift.
I already love the Brad Boyes acquisition. He's young, he's scored 30+ in recent seasons, he's a plus player, he back checks like a maniac, and from all accounts, he's a good teammate.
Stitch his name on his #22 sweater (Lindy's jersey #) and meet him at Laguardia in NYC. Lindy is an iron man, and so is his new forward.
Boyes will travel to Manhattan today and will catch up with his new teammates at the hotel tonight. He'll take the game day skate Tuesday and will play inside MSG vs. the Rangers.
I don't see Lindy breaking up the 26-19-29 line, UNLESS, Connolly is moved today.
63-55-21 is going well. If Hecht is traded, then Boyes can centre 21 and 63.
The third line has been 42-28-36. 20-8-25 round out the third line.
If Lindy decides to keep and not trade 19 and 55, then, I would immediately sit Niedermayer out to create a roster spot for Boyes.
Niagara-On-The-lake boy, Zenon Konopka, is rumoured to be VAN or ANA bound. Don't rule out Buffalo for Z.
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The myth is that kaleta and Neil are goons. They both skate well and they both forecheck like dogs in heat. Opposing D will panic and turn over pucks.
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I agree. Operative word "now". Darcy will have a mitt full of real offers in the 2pm EDT hour. @Real_ESPNLeBrun
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@ Keep your head on a swivel. @BergerFAN590
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Bergfors just sounded shocked when asked by HNIC on Sirius about his trade to FLA. Duds called him and the # was a non ATL #. "I knew then"
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Can we please eliminate "kicking tires" from NHL trade discussions?
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PITT are still looking for a playmaking centre. Crosby's status quo is a concern.
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@ Attaboy, Kevin. Great stat! @kwsnow
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@ You may get both Foligno and Neil @pmebert99
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HockeybuzzGarth garth hockeybuzz.com
@ The Disney On Ice days are over boys. Mr. Pegula wants jam, sandpaper, physicality, and intimidation. Get all that with Neil. @Mikeymo06
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@ '96: Boogie Man, My Day, Rayzor, Barney, Kruser @mikejafari
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I go into NHL rooms all the time MOST PLAYER s are hurt right now. 19's bad bean is not scaring GMs. His skill outweighs concerns@RWBBobb
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@ Gonzo. Buffalo will get a nice building block for 19 @ktybor1184
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You'd embrace your nemesis if Chris Neil ended up in Buffalo, right?
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Saying no on Connolly at 10am, gets Darcy what he wants at 3pm. Its called leverage. Regier will use it to his advantage.
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Sabres let Dennis Wideman get away years ago. I hear they have inquired about him with FLA. Getting him would allow BUF to move Monty.
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Keep an eye on Chicago today. They lost top 6 D Jordan Hendry this weekend. They've been scouting Buffalo. They've looked at Montador. The Sabres want to acquire guys with the unique blend of skill, size and snarl. Blackhawks prospect Kyle Beach fits that bill to a tee. He has a mean streak a mile long and he can score. Imagine a Buffalo lineup two years from now that features bombers like Kassian, Foligno, Adam, Beach, Goose and skilled guys Ennis, Staff, Roy, Vanek, Pommer. They'll be competing nicely with the Boston Bruins with a thick lineup like this, eh?
Monty and a top 9 forward may get it done for Beach, a former first rounder.
Monty and Connolly? Both are UFA July 1 and Buffalo not likely to re-sign them.
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Weekend waivers are for 48 hours, not 24. We'll know at Noon today if Conks cleared waivers.
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I would LTIR Roy to grab Penner. The Oilers would want Luke Adam or Ennis, not Gerbe. Ennis off limits.
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I was told Friday night that BUF have already inquired about Foligno.
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Leafs will not continue to compete for Liles, they may have found their Dman elsewhere. Or, Buffalo may have stuck their fork in him first
He has 41 points in STL this season. 12 goals and 29 assists, +11. He'll thrive five on five, and, on the Buffalo PP. He's got the ability to get his hard, accurate shot off in the blink of an eye. Nasty one timer, ala Al Kotalik and Pommer. He skates well and will play all three zones very responsibly.
He is a $4 million salary cap hit for next season.
He's a Swiss Army knife of a player. He plays RW and centre. He's got an edge and plays in all facets. A Western scout that I know tells me that Boyes is a winner. This scout tells me that he feels like Boyes needed a change of scenery in STL. Boyes is six foot, 205 pounds.
He's 28, soon to be 29 in April. He has 335 points( 145 goals, 190 assists) in 472 games.
I've been telling you for a couple weeks that the Blues have been scouting Buffalo. All the work has paid off. Buffalo gladly surrenders a second rounder in this year's draft. I do know that Buffalo inquired about Backes and Boyes.
If I'm Tim Connolly, I'm nervous right now. Boyes has one year on his deal. He is not a rental.
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