The Toronto Maple Leafs made a trade for an elusive right-handed defenseman today, acquiring Conor Timmins from the Arizona Coyotes.
Toronto Maple Leafs fans will of course make plenty of the fact he’s another Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds alumni, given Kyle Dubas’ connection with the team.
However, this deal is actually a really smart one in terms of adding a right-shot defenseman cheap while not really losing any depth.
Curtis Douglas was the forward headed the other way, and in all fairness to him, wasn’t looking likely to crack the Toronto Maple Leafs roster anytime soon, with his size really his only calling card.
Toronto Maple Leafs May Have A Steal On Their Hands
This deal actually could prove to be a steal, with Timmins earning just over league-minimum at $850,000 (CapFriendly) and still having plenty of potential.
At the absolute minimum, it gives them further assurances especially on the blue-line while Morgan Rielly and T.J. Brodie recover from their respective injuries.
In terms of what he could be; there’s no reason that with a clean bill of health and a decent run in the line-up, Timmins might emerge as a viable top-four defenseman in the NHL.
To this point, he’s been limited to 41 NHL games, but certainly Colorado Avalanche fans once regarded him highly.
This year, he’s spent more time playing in the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners than in the NHL, but has 3 assists in 6 games there (EliteProspects).
His results in the AHL back in the 2019-20 season attest to a player that can get the job done; 27 points in 40 games – he is a relatively risk-free addition to an already ailing blue-line.
This feels like a very smart piece of business by Kyle Dubas – he’s addressed an immediate organizational need without giving up anyone significant.
What’s more, he’s added a player that could very well emerge as a very useful performer long-term; it’s not even just a short-term fix.
Of course, all of this depends on whether Timmins stays fit; a real challenge for Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen right about now.