Fans Erupt After Former Maple Leafs Defenseman Signs Surprising Deal With Division Rival
Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Buffalo Sabres have signed free agent defenseman Conor Timmins to a two-year deal, keeping him in the Atlantic as a rival to the Maple Leafs.
On Sunday afternoon, the Buffalo Sabres announced they had signed restricted free agent defenseman Conor Timmins to a two-year, $2.2-million deal.
Timmins was acquired by the Sabres on June 28th in a trade with Pittsburgh that also brought Isaac Belliveau for a second-round pick and Connor Clifton.
It's the second time Timmins has been dealt in a few months, being traded along with Connor Dewar to the Penguins in order to clear roster and cap space at the trade deadline.
Timmins, 26, had 7 points in 17 games (1 goal, 6 assists) with Pittsburgh after being traded, and put up 15 points in 68 games split with the Leafs and Penguins (3 goals, 12 assists).
Sabres GM Kevyn Adams targeted Timmins in order to shore up his blueline by adding a solid d-man on his right side as part of a new look Buffalo defense:
He's a solid two-way player that is big, a right shot, and I think it just really solidifies our D corps moving forward.
Leafs Fans React to Unexpected Signing With Division Rival
Although Adams may think that adding Timmins was a shrewd move, fans of his old team and Buffalo's biggest rival, Toronto, have a different take on the matter.
Suffice to say, the general sentiment around the Timmins signing is that he's nothing more than depth and to pay him that much money is an overpayment to say the least.
Why This Move Has Sparked Outrage and What It Means for Toronto
The outrage comes again, not from the player (who fans really seem to care less about) but the actual contract. $1.1-million doesn't seem like a lot and is exactly the same amount he made last season.
It's the fact that Timmins never really got to showcase himself, and Buffalo is buying on potential as opposed to a sure thing; and for their fans that is both a blessing and a curse.
Toronto can get a general idea now of what a potential RFA deal will be for someone like Henry Thrun, who is needing a new deal next summer, is young and has great upside.
Paying him what Timmins makes or slightly above is an increase in his previous deal, and will keep him around to develop in Toronto with the chance to play regularly if things go well enough.
So while it won't look like anything much from the outside, this does set a precedent for Toronto in the future.
Let's just hope in the present Timmins doesn't make them regret trading him.
More details to come.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 27 | 1057 ANSWERS Fans Erupt After Former Maple Leafs Defenseman Signs Surprising Deal With Division Rival Will Conor Timmins have a good or bad year in Buffalo in 2025-26? | ||
| Good | 681 | 64.4 % |
| Bad | 376 | 35.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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