Maple Leafs Defenseman Likely To Make Season Debut

His camp started out like gangbusters, with six points in two exhibition games to lead the entire NHL in preseason scoring. Small sample size, for sure, but defenseman Conor Timmins seemed to be paving the way for a role with the Toronto Maple Leafs once the regular season began. That is, until he suffered a "significant" lower-body injury just a few days later, and has been on the shelf since then.

Now, however, it appears that Timmins is ready to make his season debut.

The #Leafs are preparing for Conor Timmins to play tomorrow, Sheldon Keefe says. Cautions they will make that final decision up until the last minute. @BodogCA
— David Alter (@dalter) November 23, 2023

As noted by Leas beat writer David Alter, head coach Sheldon Keefe says they are "preparing for Timmins to play tomorrow," but cautions that they're reserving the right to make the final decision right up until the "last minute."

Timmins has skated with William Lagesson on the third defense pairing in practice both Wednesday and Thursday, and Keefe called the first one "a real fast and competitive practice for him. It was at a much higher pace than anything we had when we were over in Sweden. That was a good test for him." All a good sign that Timmins will be the sixth defenseman for Friday's afternoon game in Chicago against the Blackhawks.

"He'll be a welcome addition... an upgrade on the bottom pair defense," said Leafs analyst Mike Johnson. The news is especially big, given the uncertain future of John Klingberg, who, Johnson posited, may never play for the Leafs again.

Timmins joined the Leafs from the Arizona Coyotes last December, and had a pretty nice run in his 25 games, posting 14 points in 15:37 time on ice per game, along with a plus 1.

Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports