Yes. The Gulf Stream will strengthen the storm, as you stated. The presence of the other low pressure takes away the wind shear weakening and allows strengthening. So if the storm takes a 90 degree left turn, does not experience any wind shear, it will strengthen before combining with another low pressure system. At that point, if all that happens, you are not talking about Sandy anymore. You are talking about a new beast and yes, if all that occurs, it could be a serious precipitation event. But that is a lot of if’s.
Connecticut’s biggest problem will be the 3 high tides that will happen during the long duration of the storm. The water is going to get backed up in Long Island sound. We haven’t ever seen anything in CT quite like this.
The winds will not be significant in terms of a hurricane but the duration of the winds we do get will cause problems. Those of us on the shoreline still have plenty of leaves on the trees.