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After eight seasons in Buffalo, Tim Connolly was ready for just about any refreshing start. The Toronto Maple Leafs supplied him using just one on Saturday.

Only a amount of several hours shortly after Brad Richards signed a nine-year offer using the brand ny Rangers, Connolly arrived to conditions over a two-year contract using the Leafs, who have been in phone for of the talented, offensive centerman. The past first-round choose (New York Islanders, 1999) has 395 factors (118 goals, 277 assists) in 627 NHL games.

"There have been a amount of other clubs interested," Connolly mentioned through a conference phone not lengthy shortly after signing the reported $9.5 million deal. "I think (the Leafs) showed attention past to the Brad Richards signing. We have been in a location to take place to some deal. I think we determined how the Maple Leafs can be probably the most effective match up for me using the set they have in add-on to the gamers they have. I think it'll be considered a wonderful match up for myself."

Injuries -- generally concussions -- are actually a create a difference for Connolly through his career, as he hasn't arrived out in additional than 73 film games since the 2002-03 season. But he has managed to stay pretty wholesome over the previous two seasons and arranged up a career-best 65 factors in 2009-10. He went 13-29-42 in 68 film games last period of your time and tallied a pair of assists in 6 playoff matches.

"I'm wholesome perfect now," Connolly said. "I was instruction in Buffalo all the way in which up until the 30th (of June). I experienced no believed what was steering to take place until essentially the morning of unrestricted cost-free agency. But I think the way in which I hold out now, it's a additional complete gaming -- a additional defensive and offensive gaming precisely where I could possibly be around from the last instant of the gaming when you're up with a goal or right down with a goal. I think just one of my perfect assets getting a participant is penalty killing.

"But the way in which I really feel now, I really feel great. I've been in a location to educate pretty hard. This could possibly be probably the most excited I've been for just about any period of your time in the lengthy time. I'm ready to go."

Connolly is excited concerning the believed of skating alongside Phil Kessel, who has scored 62 aims in two seasons using the Maple Leafs. supplied Connolly's skills getting a playmaking center, individuals quantities could undoubtedly increase.

"I've carried out versus him really a touch and I've observed him hold out really a bit," Connolly mentioned of Kessel. "He's obtained tremendous percentage and tremendous expertise and he can shoot the puck and he can score. My occupation -- if I'm actively playing with him -- is steering for getting to acquire him the puck and get it to him typically and make an effort to acquire it to him in the scoring position."

It's precisely the sort of alter Connolly was aiming for once the cost-free company period of your time started out on Friday afternoon. while he's sad to leave the place he's carried out his NHL house film games to the last decade, the probability to hold out for an genuine 6 company has him wishing instruction camp would start tomorrow.

"I experienced a exceptional time in Buffalo," Connolly said. "It's a exceptional place to live. The fans are tremendous. They need to begin refreshing and using the guys they've got, they're steering for getting a challenging team. I think this was an probability for me to possess a refreshing start as well. It's time to proceed on now. I'm unbelievably excited about it.

"I'm an enormous ny Yankees fan. this could be what I would assess it to -- finding a probability to hold out to the Maple Leafs. Just from actively playing versus the Leafs last year, we're steering to possess a superb team. I think there's tremendous upside to this team."