After the Leafs were unsuccessful in the chase for Brad Richards (signed with the Rangers for a ridiculous 9 year, $60 million), their apparent next target was the savvy playmaker Tim Connolly. Despite injury problems, Connolly was without a doubt the next best available playmaker via free agency. On Saturday, Burke signed Connolly to a 2 year $9.5 million contract, hours after the announcement of the Rangers signing of Richards was made.
Connolly's low risk two year deal is ideal as it will buy time for the organization to asses the likes of Nazem Kadri and Joe Colborne (potential top six centres) as their contracts will also expire in two years.
He's no Richards but who else but the Rangers would want him for $6.5 million a year until he's 40 years old... Connolly's a great signing by Burke.
