NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs Linked To Unexpected Coyotes Defenceman

The Maple Leafs may have interest in a defenceman on the Arizona Coyotes, but it's not the one they have previously been linked to. Instead of committing to Jakob Chychrun for two more years, paying a ton to acquire him, and risking another defender landing on the injured reserve, the Maple Leafs could look to bring in Conor Timmins.

The 24-year-old defenceman was drafted in the second round of the 2017 draft by the Colorado Avalanche before being traded as part of the deal to acquire Darcy Kuemper before last season. On either team he has never really been given a good opportunity in the NHL and has accumulated just 41 games, averaging under 14 minutes per game.

He has seven assists but is not at all an offensively-minded defenceman, averaging fewer than one shot per game in his NHL career. What he does bring is defence in which he will block shots and hit a fair amount. He has only played two games for the Coyotes this season and is currently in the minors.

Elliotte Friedman noted that Timmins has played with Rasmus Sandin before for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in junior and may do well in the NHL beside someone he's familiar playing with. Timmins would come cheap for the Maple Leafs and not impact them cap-wise when players start to return. He would have a great chance in the lineup right now with the team's top-three highest paid defencemen injured and a prospect Mac Hollowell in the top-six. It may also be able to provide Sandin with the boost he's needed in the NHL this season.