Conor Timmins played in his first game in over five weeks on Sunday. But with term and money beyond this season, he has no problem following the Maple Leafs’ “developmental path”.
Conor Timmins played in his first game in over five weeks on Sunday. But with term and money beyond this season, he has no problem following the Maple Leafs’ “developmental path”.
Before the Toronto Maple Leafs went on a trading spree in February with the acquisition of forwards Ryan O'Reilly, Noel Acciari, Sam Lafferty, defensemen Jake McCabe, Erik Gustafsson and Luke Schenn, their biggest get was 24-year-old Conor Timmins.
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Toronto picked up the offensive-minded defenseman from the Arizona Coyotes for forward prospect Curtis Douglas on Nov. 23. After a couple of weeks of working with the skills and development staff, Timmins finally made his Maple Leafs debut in December and picked up eight assists in his first 10 games.
He fit in well, but it was clear the Maple Leafs were in need of more experienced help on the back end. By March, Timmins found himself as the ninth defenseman on the roster.
But that's totally ok for the St. Catharines, Ontario native, who played his first game in 38 days on Sunday in a 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
"It’s obviously no secret this team that we have, we’re all in. I’m fine with my role. I think everyone’s got to buy into that if we want to have a chance to win."
Weeks before Timmins was pushed down the roster, the Maple Leafs locked him up to a two-year, $2.2 million extension. That has certainly helped knowing he has a future beyond this season.
"Just controlling what I can control, just working each day," Timmins said of the long wait between games.
Why not send him to the Toronto Marlies?
Timmins requires waivers if he were to be sent down to the American Hockey League. According to Craig Morgan of PHXNSports.com, the Coyotes figured the high second-round pick (32nd overall from the 2017 NHL Draft) would be claimed had he undergone that process, and elected to trade him to Toronto for a prospect that has a lower upside in Douglas.
Toronto has the salary cap space. And when the trade deadline passed on Mar. 3, there were no longer any roster number limitations.
As of Apr. 3, Timmins has since moved up to the No. 8 spot on defense with Gustafsson away from the club to tend to a family matter. Timmins picked up an assist on Sunday against the Red Wings, while quarterbacking the second power-play unit. Technically, the assist was recorded at even strength as Calle Jarnkrok's goal was scored a second after the power-play had expired.
A 6-foot-2, right-handed defenseman who is young, Timmins will be happy to be along for the ride. With six games to in the regular season, he might get into some more action before the playoffs begin.
"He's on the developmental path," Keefe said of Timmins last month. "But we're going to need everybody."
Timmins has two goals and 12 assists in 23 games with the Maple Leafs. But unlike players before him who had been stuck on an active roster merely for asset protection, the Leafs have provided the player with security. And that goes a long way to buying in.
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