Toronto Maple Leafs Interested in Signing Conor Timmins Long-Term

Conor Timmins has been a pleasant surprise for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Timmins was acquired via trade with the Arizona Coyotes on November 23rd, 2022. Looking back, the Toronto Maple Leafs  gave up practically nothing for what has turned out to be a great addition.

At the time of the trade, it seemed like a minor AHL acquisition. Now, according to TSN, the Leafs want to extend him.

The deal saw the Toronto Maple Leafs trading Curtis Douglas from the Toronto Marlies to Arizona for Timmins. Douglas had one point in 13 games for the Marlies at the time of the trade, while Timmins had three points in six games for the Tucson Roadrunners. (Stats from eliteprospects.com)

Toronto Maple Leafs and Conor Timmins

Since joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, Timmins has recorded one goal and 11 assists for 12 points in 17 games.

Due to the Leafs incredible depth on the blue-line, Timmins doesn’t play in every game. When he does get in the lineup, he averages over 16 minutes a game. Not bad for a player many thought was just an AHL defenseman at the time of the trade.

Conor Timmins has let his play do the talking.

It’s no surprise that the Toronto Maple Leafs would like to sign him to a contract extension. He is a pending restricted free agent (RFA) this summer.

His current contract has an $850,000 cap hit. Toronto has six NHL-caliber defensemen signed for next season, but the health status of Jake Muzzin for next season is unknown. Locking Timmins up now to a long-term deal would allow Toronto GM Kyle Dubas to focus on other areas of Toronto’s lineup in the off-season. (Salary cap information from capfriendly.com)

With Timmins being a right-shooting defenseman and Justin Holl becoming an unrestricted free agent (UFA) this summer, there is a good chance that Timmins will take over Holl’s spot in the lineup.

He seems to have found a comfort level in Toronto. Timmins is starting to live up to his being selected 32nd overall in the 2017 NHL draft. The same draft where the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Timothy Liljegren 17th overall.

Depending on the length of the term, Toronto should be able to sign Timmins for under $1.5 million.

Doing so will give them four defensemen making less than that amount. Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren are both signed for $1.4 million next season, and Mark Giordano is signed for $800,000 next season.

Hopefully, Toronto can get Timmins signed to a long-term deal and give Dubas one less thing to worry about.