Brett Connolly will start dropping like a rock
- Thread starter The Pucks
- Start date
The Scouting Report
Registered User
Jared Cowen still went 9th after blowing out his ACL last year, but you're right, the hip injury is a pretty big concern. It's very unfortunate, because he's a guy with a ton of upside.
Ryan Van Horne
aka Scribe
X-SHARKIE
Registered User
It will be interesting to see how it effects his stock. I spoke with a couple of NHL scouts after the 2009 draft and they all said they were surprised that Cowen went as low as 9th even with the injury, but I suppose it's different when you're actually in the top 10 and not in the latter of the first round having to make that decision on a player.
Joe Hallenback
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- Mar 4, 2005
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DJB
Registered User
A shame really. I still think this kid is a special talent and I love what he brings to the game. Should be interesting to see how far he falls...
worstfaceoffmanever
These Snacks Are Odd
Budish and Cowen both tore an ACL and didn't really drop like rocks. Cowen only fell 4-5 spots at the most.
TheLeastOfTheBunch
Franchise Centre
Cowen was enjoying a great season before he tore his ACL (he was actually competing in the top 3 in terms of CSB, ISS, etc, rankings).
Brett Connolly on the other hand, has RE-INJURED his hip flexor muscle.
Devils1029
Registered User
- Jun 19, 2008
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A re-occurring injury is bad news and any team with a top 10 pick may not want to take the risk. I still wouldn't expect him to fall too far though and probably not past the top 12. The question will be who steps up from the pack of 10-15 players to make a team decide to not take that chance?
shouldn't drop him too much, I think every scout knows how good he is. a hip injury if it's fixed right shouldn't scare too many teams off. I think cowan dropped a bit because player around him in the rankings got better and moved up. the same may happen to connolly but I'd be shocked if he made it past 15
Leafidelity
Best Sport/Worst League
Here's an article from the Prince George Citizen about the injury. For what it's worth, Connolly said, "I think it’s time to go and see a specialist or something like that," so maybe it reoccurred because it wasn't treated/handled properly and he'll be fine going forward once it heals properly. Hopefully for him it isn't going to be something that lingers throughout his career.
Slightly off topic, with regards to him potentially dropping, when was the last time a player dropped due to injury and ended up paying dividends? I know Sykora dropped to the Devils because of shoulder issues and paid off reasonably well for them, but that will have been 15 years ago come next June. I might be wrong, but it doesn't seem like many players who drop due to injuries ever end up regaining their pre-injury lustre.
Slightly off topic, with regards to him potentially dropping, when was the last time a player dropped due to injury and ended up paying dividends? I know Sykora dropped to the Devils because of shoulder issues and paid off reasonably well for them, but that will have been 15 years ago come next June. I might be wrong, but it doesn't seem like many players who drop due to injuries ever end up regaining their pre-injury lustre.
The Pucks
Registered User
The big example from the past is Keith Tkachuk. He missed most of his draft year, fell and well, you know the rest of the story.
Connolly played last night and got 1 assist, -1. As the season is almost over I guess we'll see him at the U-18.
Would appreciate anyone who saw him or will see him soon to provide any opinion on his performance(s).
Would appreciate anyone who saw him or will see him soon to provide any opinion on his performance(s).
The Cowboy Poet
Registered User
I was there. I work for a local TV station and have been to most Cougar home games this season. I was actually doing camera tonight and got some ISO shots of him. Also talked to the coach after and we shared the same thoughts... He looked okay for his first game back after months off. His assist came on his first shift. He had a few other scoring chances. But he looked like he was doing too much out on the ice. Which is understandable, the mediabooth was filled with scouts. The only team I can tell you was there was Phoenix, but there was anywhere between 8-15 or so I heard (I'd put it closer to 8).
It was a weird game, the Cougars had five 15 year olds in the line up. Connolly played with Parker Stanfield and a midget player Troy Bourke, who had 2 goals, one of which game in his first shift in the dub.
Not a bad game from Connolly, you could tell his presence gave the team a boost... not enough to secure a win though!
I'll be at tomorrow's game and I'll report what happens (Dean said Conny felt sick at the end of game, for what it's worth.).
E-Mac
Registered User
I was there. I work for a local TV station and have been to most Cougar home games this season. I was actually doing camera tonight and got some ISO shots of him. Also talked to the coach after and we shared the same thoughts... He looked okay for his first game back after months off. His assist came on his first shift. He had a few other scoring chances. But he looked like he was doing too much out on the ice. Which is understandable, the mediabooth was filled with scouts. The only team I can tell you was there was Phoenix, but there was anywhere between 8-15 or so I heard (I'd put it closer to 8).
It was a weird game, the Cougars had five 15 year olds in the line up. Connolly played with Parker Stanfield and a midget player Troy Bourke, who had 2 goals, one of which game in his first shift in the dub.
Not a bad game from Connolly, you could tell his presence gave the team a boost... not enough to secure a win though!
That's great, thanks! I'm eagerly awaiting the next report and, if you can, I'd love to hear some details on how he's moving/if he looks hurt or just out of shape.
Somebody is going to get a gem if he can get healthy. I think he's the third best forward in the draft: I'd take him over any of the Russians, including Kabanov.
I heard his hip problem was radiating from one side to the other, though. That's a great deal more serious than Cowen's ACL injury or Kabanov's wrist problems.
I heard his hip problem was radiating from one side to the other, though. That's a great deal more serious than Cowen's ACL injury or Kabanov's wrist problems.
Hip flexors can be one of the tougher injuries to get over I believe, maybe the team docs did not heal him up properly the 1st time.
UMD05
Hobey Baker Champs
I realize these are two completely different players with different hip issues, but this makes me cringe. Could this potentially be Gaborik all over again?
The Cowboy Poet
Registered User
For the record, he hasn't yet "dropped like a rock". Last I heard he was still ranked number 4. With all the scouts there last night there's obviously still a ton of interest.
I'm hoping he goes some place after 5th, or to any team who won't burn up a year on his ELC, because I want him back in the Dub. I've been forced to cover the last place team in the country all year and I can't take another season of 50+ losses.
I'm hoping he goes some place after 5th, or to any team who won't burn up a year on his ELC, because I want him back in the Dub. I've been forced to cover the last place team in the country all year and I can't take another season of 50+ losses.
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gavinator11
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- Jun 29, 2009
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We (Penguins) would to get him if he falls. Fits a huge need for us, right handed shot, goal scorer, for sure top 6 winger when healthy. Less of a risk than Esposito.
shveik
Registered User
One of the reasons Jiri Hudler fell in his draft year was a serious neck injury.
AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
This....
Connolly is probably one of my favorites for this draft, and I have zero doubt that if this kid is healthy next year, he will be in the NHL. Way too skilled to not make it....ofcourse it also depends on who drafts him, and if he fully recovers, but if he goes top 5, I just feel he will be in the NHL.
Hope you continue to stay healthy Brett, you deserve a little bit of luck man!
Kirk- NEHJ
Registered User
For the record, he hasn't yet "dropped like a rock". Last I heard he was still ranked number 4. With all the scouts there last night there's obviously still a ton of interest.
I'm hoping he goes some place after 5th, or to any team who won't burn up a year on his ELC, because I want him back in the Dub. I've been forced to cover the last place team in the country all year and I can't take another season of 50+ losses.
Glad to hear he's back.
You're right-- the interest is still very much there and if he can at least play out the season, it will go a long way to keeping his draft position high and early. Probably not as high as he should go had he been healthy, but high enough.
Thanks for the update.
