Leafs defenseman likely playing someone else off the roster

If that wasn't impressive enough, in his first game in Ottawa, Timmins assisted on the only two goals that the Maple Leafs scored in their 3-2 loss to the Senators. He finished the game as a plus-1, fired 2 shots on goal, and skated 19:09 TOI. Sheldon Keefe was so impressed by his play he thought "Timmins could've had four points if some guys finished their chances"

One of Timmins' highlight reel plays on Wednesday was his sensation saucer pass to Max Domi to spring the veteran forward on a breakaway following the expiration of his high-sticking penalty. Domi converted on his chance, scoring his first goal in a Leafs jersey, and was quick to praise Timmins for his sensational pass.

Domi: "That's an all-world pass," Domi said. "Anytime you get a penalty, you're hoping you get a breakaway when you get out, right? Unbelievable pass. Sauced right over the guy's stick. Didn't want to waste it for him."

"He's not fun to play against," Domi said. "Good skater. Big body. Strong. Boxes out pretty good. And he can make plays. Both him and Timmy Liljegren, they're underrated, right?"

Lafferty: "Unbelievable. A lot of fun to watch. You could see he was feeling it out there," beamed the speedy Sam Lafferty, who scored shorthanded. "The goal was really nice, but that assist he had was pretty spectacular. It's fun to see one of the guys feeling it like that."

Keefe: "He's worked really hard to give himself a chance to compete here in camp, and it's good to see him get rewarded on a night like tonight."

Timmins is no longer waiver-exempt, which means that the Leafs will either hold onto him or risk losing him if placed on waivers for the purpose of playing in the AHL. With Morgan Rielly, John Klingberg, Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie, Jake McCabe, and Timothy Liljegren ahead of him - so to speak - Timmins will need to continue to improve on his already strong training camp.

With the stakes as high as they are for him, you have to credit Timmins for bringing his absolute best game to training camp and making things tough on the coaching staff. At the rate he's going, it's not going to be "will he make the team out of camp?", it will be "how high up the depth chart can he ascend this season?".