I have found myself for years defending Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke and his unorthodox way of building teams. But today I can't find a way to defend such a horrible decision as signing the often-injured center Tim Connolly to a two-year, $4.75 million/year contract.

Connolly is a very slick forward, and possesses some shifty moves. But what Connolly is more known for is his slick moves to "injured reserve" far too often. Since the NHL lockout of 2004, Connolly has missed nearly 200 regular season games to injuries.

And the list of injuries are as crafty as his stick work: concussions, shoulder injuries, a bad groin and the best excuse ever used in professional sports, "general body soreness." When Connolly is on, he is impressive. The problem is that is when he is on.

Far too often we have seen him less than interested in playing during a game, and even less impressed with the media and fans' reactions to his play. Late in the regular season this year, Connolly expressed how he was upset with the media and fans' disapproval of his play on the ice.

Did Burke not know this? Or better yet, does Connolly realize he is going to the hockey mecca of the NHL where fans and media are going to dissect his every move on the ice. Connolly seems to like to fly under the radar of criticism by any source.

While we know Burke is desperate to find the playmaking center for superstar Phil Kessel. Paying a guy $4.75 million a year who plays just a few more games that he is sitting out is, at best, a mammoth stretch. This move may, in fact, be Burke's last effort to save his job, and I must say he mortgaged the farm on a heartless, less than caring, hockey player.

Leafs fans will certainly have a lot of quality ammunition for their constant phone calls into local sports radio shows, and writers will have refilled tank material to write about.