Insider says Maple Leafs interested in acquiring 24-year-old defenseman
The Leafs are preparing to play their 20th game of the season tonight against the New York Islanders. Typically, this is the point in the season where teams begin to get a pretty good grasp on what their lineup lacks and begin to formulate plans to address their roster needs through the trade market.
The Leafs, already down a pair of NHL regulars in Jake Muzzin and T.J. Brodie, may be looking to bring in another defenseman to help out at the position and according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman during his most recent 32 Thoughts Podcast, the Buds are interested in potentially bringing in 24-year-old Conor Timmins.
Timmins, a St. Catherines, Ontario native, was a former 2nd round pick of the Colorado Avalanche and was very highly touted prior to his draft year. While he went 32nd overall, many scouts had Timmins ranked as a first round caliber prospect, with NHL Central Scouting ranking him #18 back in 2017. He was also a member of the Soo Greyhounds, which means both Sheldon Keefe and Kyle Dubas will already be familiar with him. He also played with Leafs defenseman Rasmus Sandin.
Timmins was traded by Colorado to the Arizona Coyotes in the Darcy Kuemper deal and is on an expiring deal - the final year of his entry-level contract. He'll be a restricted free agent at season's end.
In terms of what it might cost to acquire the 24-year-old blueliner, that's really anyone's guess. Timmins has just 44 games of NHL experience and is currently playing with the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners and has just 7 NHL points in his brief career - all assists. He has good size, standing 6'2, 202 lbs. The Leafs seem to like their mobile puck-moving defenders, so if they do indeed land Timmins, he should fit right in. He's also a right-shot, which helps.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 21 | 319 ANSWERS Insider says Maple Leafs interested in acquiring 24-year-old defenseman Should the Leafs trade for former Soo Greyhounds defenseman Conor Timmins? | ||
| Yes | 210 | 65.8 % |
| No | 109 | 34.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
