One-time Hurricanes talisman Tim Conboy, who was sent down in November and not seen again, has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Sabres worth $550,000 in the NHL and $105,000 in the AHL.
During the remarkable but ultimately unsuccessful run for a playoff spot in the spring of 2008, Conboy's toughness and energy was an invaluable asset. A defenseman asked to play forward in the NHL, Conboy's willingness to fight helped spark the team's resurgence.
He split time between the AHL and NHL again in 2008-09 and was on a one-way contract last season but was quickly frozen out by Paul Maurice, placed on waivers and shipped to Albany.
Back in February 2009, the Hurricanes were 18-4-5 all-time with Conboy in the lineup. All told, Conboy played 59 games for Carolina, racking up one assist and 121 penalty minutes.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at 829-8947 or 
Comments
Hey imayagainknowanton...
Mon, 07/19/2010 - 07:55 — mokimanoHey imayagainknowanton...who died and made you God in here pal? Last week it was Jay Harrison suck's from your soapbox and this week it's Tim Conboy sucks...I'm starting to see a trend here...you must be afraid of the manly part of the game of hockey...you know...the big hit's, the fight's the physical aspect of the game...you must be one of those guy's that are leading the pussification of the game...if you hate all of these player's that JR sign's then how about drafting up a master plan for this team of how you think it should be? Stop complaining about everything that is wrong and every player you hate and let's hear from you on how to fix it...
No, it's that I don't like
Mon, 07/19/2010 - 16:12 — imayagainknowantonNo, it's that I don't like AHL calibre players on an NHL roster. And the rest of the league appears to have judged Tim Conboy as an AHL player, seeing as he has cleared both waivers and re-entry waivers over the past few years and was signed to a two-way deal. He possesses zero NHL skills. His fighting skills are slightly better than Tom Kostpoulos's (who is terrible at fighting). And there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for the W-L record, which is the fact that most of those games came after the team made two big trades (the Cole and Corvo) and the fact that Eric Staal generally shows up around that period. The late-season surge happened again even without Conboy on the team. Shocking.
And...the players that JR signs? Isn't this about Conboy signing with the Sabres? JR didn't re-sign him. JR, in fact, waived him after it was clear he wasn't even good enough to play for a team that had lost 14 in a row. I am AGREEING with JR.
We are talking about 28 year old who has spent his entire career in North America with not even 60 games of NHL experience, aren't we? Shame on me for judging him as lacking the talents needed to make it at this level. I also think that Keith Aucoin isn't an NHL caliber player (and he happens to be a small, soft, player). Why don't we cry about him leaving, too? I'm sure we can blame Mo for that as well even though he never coached him.
By the same logic, the
Mon, 07/19/2010 - 09:12 — ctillBy the same logic, the league should have retired the numbers of Dave Schultz or Tiger Williams instead of Wayne Gretzky. One man's' "pussification" is another man's interest in athleticism and team play instead of Friday Night at the Fights. Whether some folks like it or not, the reality is that fighting is less of a factor in the game today than it used to be -- and there is no indication that the pendulum will swing back in the other direction anytime soon.
chill out
Mon, 07/19/2010 - 08:21 — louis12580People need to take a step back and chill out. Many posters use logic and civility when posting, some choose to be nabobs of negativity. With some it's a player they don't like and with some it's always Mo's fault. We know who they are, so we don't need to print their moniker. Do I agree with every move made by Jim and company? No I don't. Would I like to see another defenseman who can help out Tim by taking some of the physical force work load? Yes, I would. This team is far from finished, so let's wait until training camp to see who's here and who's not. In closing I offer some words of wisdom, "Don't take yourself too seriously."
i hate to say this
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 07:13 — esteban1949But...bye Tim & Thanks give them hell in Portland & in Buffalo!
If It Ain't Hockey,It Ain't Nothing!! The New Checkers 3rd Jersey Rocks !!
Conboy
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 19:48 — louis12580Tim filled a roll when called upon. That role was to play the tough guy and defend his teammates if needed. He had limited skills, but was never more than a 7th. defenseman or on the 4th. line as a forward. The fans loved him because he would drop the gloves when needed. As for those who always blame Mo for all of this, please get a hold of yourselves. This is no longer the era of the Broad street Bullies (although the Flyers are doing their best to stay that way with the signings of Shelley and the guy from L.A. [whose name escapes me] and re-signing Side Show Carcillo). Teams now rely more on skill and quickness with a bit of physicality mixed in. Teams like Pittsburgh, Detroit, Washington, to name three are built on that premise which is why they are better suited for today's game. I have watched the game since the late 50's and while there have always been tough guys around, teams won on skill. Give me a smart team over a bunch of "tough" guys any day.
Tim Conboy sucks. Does
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 18:47 — imayagainknowantonTim Conboy sucks. Does everything here have to turn into a "Mo" issue here?
Conboy played 28 games under Mo in 08-09. Do you know how many games he played under Laviolette in the 25 games Lavi coached that year? Zero, because he was in the AHL the entire time...after clearing waivers.
I guess he was "frozen out" by Laviolette as well? Maybe he's just not good enough to be an NHL player.
The only reason he was on the roster to begin with last year is because he had a one-way deal that was foolishly given to him by Rutherford out of panic after his initial partial season with the team in 07-08.
Oh, and he *was* seen again after November, considering he played in the final home game against Montreal.
hahaha AMEN AMEN AMEN!!! a
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 18:18 — jgrant641hahaha
AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!
a lot of people here have a blame Mo or JR first, then hope nobody actually researches the stats and details.
I didnt like this guy at
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 17:55 — ncsurveygirlI didnt like this guy at all, so Buffalo suits him...
Anywhere...
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 17:00 — robotron2084but there!
How can I wear his jersey now knowing he's a Sabre?
He reminded me of Boulerice
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 16:21 — ctillHe reminded me of Boulerice, another fan favorite who didn't contribute much to success on ice. Conboy accounted for 4 SOG, 0 goals, 0 assists, a -4 plus/minus, and 2 minor penalties in about 40 total minutes of ice time in 2009-2010. Bye bye.
Oh Yeah?
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 16:38 — WAStoutAt least Conboy can some what play defense and win a fight....Jay Harrison? HAHAHAHA....
Another Mo buddy. When exactly is the media going to address THAT concern?
Wish I could make the Summer Fest to "address" Mo.
Good Luck to Tim...
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 14:58 — Caniac5Tim was never given a chance with Mo but Lavi gave him a try. He was definitely dealt a bad hand when Mo returned. I mean, Tim was the toughness and was a huge fan favorite.
Good Luck Tim and I hope you make it in Buffalo!! Show Mo he is still making bad decisions!!!