Another former top 10 draft pick gives up on the NHL and signs in Europe
After being drafted with such high regard it appears that Brett Connolly is taking his hockey talents to Europe. The forward has signed a one-year contract with the Swiss club HC Lugano.
Connolly spent the last season and a half in the Chicago Blackhawks organization, where he ended up playing just 19 NHL games compared to 37 AHL games for the Rockford IceHogs. Connolly had just a goal and two assists in those 19 games across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, while faring much better in the AHL with 35 points in 37 games in 2021-22 for Rockford.
Connolly hasn't been able to live up to the 4 year, $14,000,000 ($3.5 million AAV) contract that he signed with the Florida Panthers during the 2019 offseason. Since signing that deal, he was traded to the Blackhawks and has been put on waivers multiple times going unclaimed. He was bought out this summer with one season remaining on his four-year deal.
The sixth overall pick in 2010 currently has a career total of 101 goals, 94 assists, and 195 points in 536 games.
| POLL | ||
Which top 10 pick from 2010 is the best player? | ||
| Taylor Hall | 39 | 28.9 % |
| Tyler Seguin | 57 | 42.2 % |
| Jeff Skinner | 19 | 14.1 % |
| Ryan Johansen | 20 | 14.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
