Maple Leafs place Connolly on waivers

Tim Connolly’s time with the Toronto Maple Leafs could be coming to an end, as the team placed him on waivers Thursday afternoon.

Connolly was not on the ice at Leafs practice Thursday and his play has not received rave reviews from head coach Randy Carlyle.

Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston expects Connolly to be sent to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League if he clears waivers. Since re-entry waivers were eliminated in the new collective bargaining agreement, Connolly could be recalled at any time.

Connolly signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the Leafs as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2011. The 31-year-old has one year left on his deal with a salary cap hit is $4.75 million.

The Syracuse, N.Y., native was thought to be a possible No. 1 centre to play alongside star winger Phil Kessel, but that never panned out. In 70 games with the Leafs last season Connolly recorded 13 goals and 36 points, while having a plus/minus rating of minus-14.

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