"A fresh start. It's what Tim Connolly wants. It's what the Maple Leafs need.

Connolly, the centrepiece of GM Brian Burke's summertime acquisitions, seemed a tad nervous talking to the assembled media before he and his teammates ventured out for a day of golf.

"It definitely is a fresh start," said Connolly. "It was a roller-coaster ride (in Buffalo). Had some highs and lows. I'm excited to be here. Talking to my agent, we decided this was the best place for me.

"I like the fact this is a hockey town and (there's) a lot of excitement surrounding the game."

Connolly, a 10-year veteran, wasn't welcome back in Buffalo, where injuries plagued him. Fans had soured on him, in large part because he hasn't played a full season since before the lockout.

But he has the ability to be a point-a-game player — and carry the load as a playmaking centre. That is exactly what the Leafs lacked last year and why they're paying him $9.5 million (U.S.) over the next two years.

"The injury issues he's had have not been repetitive," said Burke. "It's not like he's had a bad knee or a bad shoulder. Kind of flukes the last couple of years.

"One was from blocking a shot. We can always live with an injury where a player blocks a shot. We're confident he will get new legs and new life here.""