Toronto Maple Leafs Need to Stick With Conor Timmins Amid Max Pacioretty Rumors – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

Recently, there has been speculation that the Toronto Maple Leafs are eyeing veteran forward Max Pacioretty as their next addition. Pacioretty, the former captain of the Montreal Canadiens, is still considered a talented scorer despite his recent struggles with injuries. The Maple Leafs, however, are restricted by the salary cap, which has led some, like NHL insider David Pagnotta, to suggest that Toronto could make room by trading or waiving defenseman Conor Timmins.

Related: Maple Leafs Face Trouble With Potential Pacioretty Signing

Pagnotta argued that moving Timmins' $1.1 million cap hit would free up the cap space needed for Pacioretty to come in, giving the Maple Leafs an experienced winger to bolster their forward line. But is trading Timmins a good idea? Not at all. It is a very bad idea for several reasons.

Why Signing Pacioretty Would Be A Bad Move

While Pacioretty has been a prolific scorer in the past, his recent injury woes are hard to ignore. Over the past two seasons, he has played in just 47 games, including 19 points with the Washington Capitals in 2023-24. At 35, he is not the player he used to be, and the risk of injury is high. Betting on him to stay healthy while giving up a promising young defenseman like Timmins seems like a gamble the Maple Leafs don't need to take, especially considering their limited cap space.

Injuries on the blue line have plagued the Maple Leafs, and trading a defenseman like Timmins could further expose them to deep defensive issues. Last season, bringing in defenseman John Klingberg was a quick mistake. His season-ending injury left the team short. That could happen again in a heartbeat.

Although the team has a deep defense this season, there has been talk of bringing back a veteran defenseman like Mark Giordano or a walk-on insurance. In that case, would abandoning Timmins be any kind of sensible solution? He is young and still developing. Taking him out, when he showed promise, would be short-sighted, especially for an injury-prone forward like Pacioretty – not to mention there are young players playing in the American Hockey League (AHL) who are fighting for a title. opportunity with the Maple Leafs.

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Timmins, just 25 years old, has shown flashes of brilliance, and can make offensive contributions from the end. He's still finding his footing in the NHL, but his potential as a point-producing defenseman is undeniable. Trading him now would mean giving up a player who could be a cornerstone of Toronto's blue line for years, all for a short-term fix that may not work given Pacioretty's injury history.

Why Timmins deserves to be shot

Despite limited playing time due to injury, Timmins has shown great potential. His expected goals share (xGF%) and high-danger percentage (HDCF%) with the Maple Leafs have been impressive. Last season, his xGF% was 56.60%, and he posted a stellar HDCF% of 59.31%. When Timmins is on the ice, the team creates more scoring opportunities while limiting the chances of the opposition. This kind of production isn't just a flash in the pan — his performance metrics over his history have shown similar results.

Timmins' offensive abilities from the blue line should not be underestimated. In 41 games with Toronto, he scored 20 points, averaging just over 15 minutes per game. His ability to contribute offensively makes him a valuable asset, especially for a team that relies heavily on its puck-moving defensemen. With the right development and playing time, Timmins could step in as a consistent point producer from the blue line.

Related: Breaking Down the Maple Leaf Defense

Injuries have been a hindrance, but his minor and AHL stats point to his potential as a solid NHL defenseman. He scored at nearly a goal-per-game pace in the minors, and his AHL numbers again show a player who can contribute offensively and potentially improve his offensive and defensive game. Given the right opportunity and some stability, he could develop into a valuable contributor on the Maple Leafs blue line for years to come.

Timmins Bottom Line and Maple Leafs

Trading Timmins to free up space for Pacioretty will hurt the Maple Leafs more than it will help them. While Pacioretty's offensive potential is tempting, his injury history and age make him a dangerous prospect. Meanwhile, Timmins still has untapped potential, solid fundamental metrics, and the ability to develop into a strong two-way defender for Toronto.

Rather than part with a promising young blueliner, the organization would be wise to let Timmins prove himself this season. You have too much to lose playing this any other way.