Confirmed with Link: Bruins 2015 & 2016 2nd Round Picks to the Lightning for Brett Connolly

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Now they have to fix the defense, but I want a clear upgrade on Bart or Seids, otherwise, I'll keep them.

You could pull in Michalek now and a lot of the blueline is fixed.

Getting Connolly probably precludes it, but I'm still in on a Kassian like pickup as well.

 

[Coach Parker]

So Connolly is a significant upgrade over Reilly Smith ?

Skill, speed and sizewise yeah. 12 goals this year on the third line in Tampa. I'd put him there to give him the perfect chance to fulfill his potential.

Same amount of goals this year as Smith but Smith has been with Bergeron and Marchand and Connolly was with Filpulla and Paquette recently.

 

[World of Wardlow]

I like it.

And I can see this:

Marchand-Bergeron-Smith
Lucic-Spooner-Pastrnak
Connolly-Soderberg-Eriksson
Paille-Campbell-Kelly
Ferlin/Caron

I think the writing is on the wall for Soderberg. In my opinion, they'll either keep Soderberg and trade Spooner, or vice versa. Likely in offseason.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

I'll probably be in the minority here but my take is that I won't declare it a win or loss until we get a good look at him.

I'll give Chia credit for thinking outside the box on this one. didn't see this coming at all, and I appreciate his apparent logic that if you're going to spend multiple picks on a player then you might as well be getting one with that kind of upside instead of doing it for a guy who is in his late 30's or early 40's.

 

[Era of Sanity]

http://hockey.dobbersports.com/froz...15:R:99&Submit=Show+Line+Combinations&sent=go

Brian Boyle and Brenden Morrow the most.

Thanks. Not exactly high end running mates, he'll probably get a chance with better players in Bosotn. Like this deal.

 

[Rocko604]

So, basically, we traded Johnny Boychuk for Brett Connolly. Sort of.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

So Connolly is a significant upgrade over Reilly Smith ?

I don't know how big of an upgrade he is talent wise, although I'd say Connolly could be considered as such.

Big thing to me? He's a better FIT for that line.

Good size. Good speed. Dangerous shot. Good along the walls. He provides some attributes that Smith didn't and that the line sorely needs.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

Skill, speed and sizewise yeah. 12 goals this year on the third line in Tampa. I'd put him there to give him the perfect chance to fulfill his potential.

he's not an upgrade over Smith in the way that matters most which is results. At this point in time Smith is a much better hockey player than Brett Connolly. Like the upside here, but let's not get carried away calling this an "upgrade". They are likely banking heavily on the "Bergeron effect" if the plan is to replace Smith with Connolly.

 

[Lord Ahriman]

You could pull in Michalek now and a lot of the blueline is fixed.

Getting Connolly probably precludes it, but I'm still in on a Kassian like pickup as well.

Not sure if makes sense, but you could trade Loui for a top 4 dman and then adding Kassian.

 

[World of Wardlow]

This.

He could end up being exactly as projected; a top six RW power-forward.

Chiarelli didn't waste assets on a rental and has him here for the future with him on a cheap bridge contract to prove his potential.

Lucic - Krejci - Pastrnak
Marchand - Bergeron - Connolly
Smith - Soderberg - Eriksson
Paille - Kelly - Ferlin
Campbell

so far...

I don't know about Connolly with Bergy yet. They'll be playing opponent's number 1 lines … don't think it would be smart to put Connolly there right now.

 

[Ten Thousand Hours]

I'll probably be in the minority here but my take is that I won't declare it a win or loss until we get a good look at him.

I'll give Chia credit for thinking outside the box on this one. didn't see this coming at all, and I appreciate his apparent logic that if you're going to spend multiple picks on a player then you might as well be getting one with that kind of upside instead of doing it for a guy who is in his late 30's or early 40's.

I'm definitely with you here. Initial instinct is that 2 2nd round picks is a little rich, but you can't compare the price of rentals to the price of a guy like Connolly. Hopefully we'll still have this guy even when (if) either of those second round picks cracks Tampa Bay's lineup.

Plus, we really don't know what to expect from him. Certainly not ready to call it a win, but I like the creativity.

 

[Mpasta]

he's not an upgrade over Smith in the way that matters most which is results. At this point in time Smith is a much better hockey player than Brett Connolly. Like the upside here, but let's not get carried away calling this an "upgrade". They are likely banking heavily on the "Bergeron effect" if the plan is to replace Smith with Connolly.

No, Smith is not a much better hockey player than Connolly. Have you been giving Smith the eye test this season? He has been set up for success and has failed. Connolly has not been set up for success. The whole point of the offense is to score goals. That's what he can bring to a team with his shot if he is put in the right position.

I am pretty certain that people will be much happier with Connolly over Smith once he starts playing. He will actually put the puck in the net when giving the chance.

 

[Ten Thousand Hours]

Also, in terms of lines, I wouldn't be surprised to see him start on the 4th. Especially if there's another forward to be added.

 

[Pia8988]

Like this move significantly more than getting either Vermette or Cole. Also gives Boston another person who can put the puck in the net and save some money while doing it. Pretty good move imo.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

Also, in terms of lines, I wouldn't be surprised to see him start on the 4th. Especially if there's another forward to be added.

I don't see them giving up two 2nds for this guy just to put him on the 4th line.

 

[TimThomas24]

It makes me wonder if this is part 1 with all our RW's. Loui or Smith maybe on the way out?

 

[PatriceBergeron]

So Connolly is a significant upgrade over Reilly Smith ?

Maybe not but Smith is a significant upgrade over Daniel Paille.

Makes our top 9 better.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

he's not an upgrade over Smith in the way that matters most which is results. At this point in time Smith is a much better hockey player than Brett Connolly. Like the upside here, but let's not get carried away calling this an "upgrade". They are likely banking heavily on the "Bergeron effect" if the plan is to replace Smith with Connolly.

If Connolly plays with Bergeron, it will be interesting to see how his stats look vs. what Smith's were. Overall, I think Connolly might be more skilled; so perhaps he fits that line better.

Can't say I hate the move, so I'm willing to give it a shot. Really glad those picks weren't used on rentals.

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

Over last 100 NHL games...

Current Bruins forwards that have had higher goals per 60 minutes production:
Bergeron = 1.2
Pastrnak = 1.1
Lucic = 0.9
Marchand = 0.9
Connolly = 0.7


Better On-Ice Fenwick Differential:
Smith = +530
Bergeron = + 501
Soderberg = +394
Eriksson = +334
Marchand = +274
Lucic = +213
Krejci = +138
Connolly = +122


Better Scoring Chance Differential
Smith = +421
Bergeron = +410
Soderberg = +291
Marchand = +248
Eriksson = +232
Lucic = +117
Krejci = +99
Connolly = +83

 

[Blitzkrug]

Deal can't be judged until we know the full scope of things.

Have to wait past 2 tomorrow to see.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I don't know about Connolly with Bergy yet. They'll be playing opponent's number 1 lines … don't think it would be smart to put Connolly there right now.

I understand what you're saying, but you know what? I try it first thing.

Let's see if he swims.

 

[2020 Cup Champions]

Skill, speed and sizewise yeah. 12 goals this year on the third line in Tampa. I'd put him there to give him the perfect chance to fulfill his potential.

Same amount of goals this year as Smith but Smith has been with Bergeron and Marchand and Connolly was with Filpulla and Paquette recently.

4th line mostly. He's really been enjoying throwing the body around lately. He has a great shot, but doesn't have the hockey IQ that Yzerman and his scouts like (Yzerman actually let the scouting staff that was in place already in 2010 make the picks that year, and he didn't bring in Al Murray until something like August 2010?).

 

[GloveSave1]

Dougie is a defenseman. He putting up the points he is is impressive.

Brett Connolly has put up like 38 points in 130+ games in the NHL. Nothing impressive about that.

Dougie gets a long leash for figuring out how to play defense in the NHL from a lot of people, maybe this kid gets the same consideration on offense.

The numbers aren't bad for a kid his age on the 3rd/4th line. They're there.

 

[Lobster57]

If nothing else i think this keeps Kelly on the 4th, which is a big plus.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Also, in terms of lines, I wouldn't be surprised to see him start on the 4th. Especially if there's another forward to be added.

Two seconds for a fourth line player? What a waste.

I highly doubt that's where Chiarelli was going with this trade.

I actually believe he thinks Connolly will be the new Nathan Horton.