Just lately, there’s been hypothesis that the Toronto Maple Leafs are eyeing veteran ahead Max Pacioretty as their subsequent addition. Pacioretty, a former captain of the Montreal Canadiens, continues to be thought-about a gifted scorer regardless of his latest struggles with accidents. The Maple Leafs, nonetheless, are constrained by the wage cap, which has led some, like NHL insider David Pagnotta, to recommend that Toronto may make room by buying and selling or waiving defenseman Conor Timmins.
Associated: Maple Leafs Face Problems with Potential Pacioretty Signing
Pagnotta argued that transferring Timmins’ $1.1 million cap hit may unlock the required area to herald Pacioretty, giving the Maple Leafs an skilled winger to bolster their ahead lineup. However is buying and selling Timmins a good suggestion? By no means. It’s fairly an terrible concept for a number of causes.
Why Signing Pacioretty May Be a Dangerous Transfer
Whereas Pacioretty has been a top-tier scorer up to now, his latest harm woes are arduous to disregard. Over the past two seasons, he has performed simply 47 video games, tallying 19 factors with the Washington Capitals in 2023-24. At 35, he’s not the participant he was, and the danger of one other harm is excessive. Betting on him to remain wholesome whereas giving up a promising younger defenseman like Timmins looks as if a chance the Maple Leafs don’t have to take, particularly contemplating their restricted cap area.
Accidents on the blue line have plagued the Maple Leafs, and buying and selling a defenseman like Timmins may additional expose them to defensive depth points. Final season, bringing in defenseman John Klingberg proved to be a right away error. His season-ending harm left the group shorthanded. That might occur once more in a heartbeat.
Though the group has extra defensive depth this season, there’s been speak of bringing again an older defenseman like Mark Giordano or a journeyman for insurance coverage. In that situation, would dumping Timmins be any sort of logical answer? He’s youthful and nonetheless creating. Transferring him out, when he’s proven promise, could be a short-sighted transfer, particularly for an injury-prone ahead like Pacioretty – to not point out, there are younger forwards within the American Hockey League (AHL) chomping on the bit to have an opportunity with the Maple Leafs.
Associated: Maple Leafs Conor Timmins: Odd Man Out
Timmins, at simply 25, has proven flashes of brilliance, and he could make offensive contributions from the again finish. He’s nonetheless discovering his footing within the NHL, however his potential as a point-producing defenseman is simple. Buying and selling him now may imply giving up on a participant who may grow to be a mainstay on Toronto’s blue line for years, all for a short-term repair which may not even work out as a result of Pacioretty’s harm historical past.
Why Timmins Deserves a Shot
Regardless of restricted taking part in time as a result of accidents, Timmins has proven glorious potential. His anticipated objectives share (xGF%) and high-danger probability share (HDCF%) with the Maple Leafs have been persistently spectacular. Final season, his xGF% was 56.60%, and he posted a stellar HDCF% of 59.31%. When Timmins is on the ice, the group generates extra high quality scoring probabilities whereas limiting opponents’ alternatives. This sort of manufacturing isn’t only a flash within the pan — his efficiency metrics over his historical past have additionally proven related outcomes.
Timmins’ offensive abilities from the blue line shouldn’t be neglected. In 41 video games with Toronto, he’s tallied 20 factors, averaging simply over quarter-hour per recreation. His skill to contribute offensively makes him a beneficial asset, notably for a group that has relied closely on its puck-moving defensemen. With the correct improvement and taking part in time, Timmins may slot in as a constant point-producer from the blue line.
Associated: Breaking Down the Maple Leafs’ Defence
Accidents have been a hurdle, however his junior and AHL stats trace at his potential to be a strong NHL defenseman. He scored at almost a point-per-game tempo in junior, and his AHL numbers additionally replicate a participant who can contribute offensively and probably enhance his offensive and defensive recreation. Given the proper alternative and a few stability, he may develop right into a key contributor on the Maple Leafs’ blue line for years to come back.
The Backside Line for Timmins and the Maple Leafs
Buying and selling Timmins to unlock cap area for Pacioretty would harm the Maple Leafs greater than assist them. Whereas Pacioretty’s offensive potential is tempting, his harm historical past and age make him a dangerous acquisition. In the meantime, Timmins nonetheless has untapped potential, strong underlying metrics, and the power to develop right into a strong two-way defenseman for Toronto.
Moderately than half methods with a promising younger blueliner, the group could be clever to permit Timmins to show himself this season. There’s an excessive amount of to lose to play this some other approach.
