Keith Aulie for Carter Ashton - Page 14

#**131** 03-03-2012, 05:45 PM

He was between a rock and a hard spot on this one. Many felt that his junior team could no longer teach him anything and he was to young for the AHL. That is a rule that needs to change.

Coldrice · #**132** 03-03-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSchmitz

Connolly in the NHL right now tells me that patience with prospects isn't a steady rule that Yzerman follows.

Yzerman's not necessarily contradicting that stance by keeping Connolly here. Again, as it was stated by the Staff here, PG and the environment there was not going to further his development. In hindsight, they were correct.

At last check, the Cougars were dead last in the WHL. So the decision was made to keep him here. Then sending him to the WJC's, which was another step in his development imo.

Another thing that I dont think was touched upon, and also aided with the benefit of hindsight, is that if Connolly was sent to PG early on I don't think that Yzerman would of had too much input if (and ultimately when) PG decided to trade him. And what if that trade was to another club that this Org didn't feel best suited his development?

Keeping him here, I feel, ultimately helped to limit the options. Tri City threw a deal together... traded for him, and hoped that we would send him down. Now that's a club I could've seen him being sent to. And I won't lie, I was rooting for it to happen, but his play the last 6 games or so has almost done a complete 180... plus all the injuries meant he was going to stay.

Next season, it'll be interesting to see what happens or what decision is made at camp.

thefly · #**133** 03-04-2012, 03:53 AM

I think a summer with stammer and gary roberts, and he will be top 6 player in tampa

Goboltz56 · #**134** 03-04-2012, 12:13 PM

I'm sure this has been answered before, but is Connolly AHL eligible next year, and does he have to clear waivers? Norfolk would be his best option for development next year.