The Buffalo Sabres signed defenseman Conor Timmins to a two-year contract on Sunday, which carries a $2.2 million cap hit.
Timmins was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in June, as a part of a commerce that despatched Connor Clifton the opposite means. The defenseman posted 15 factors in 68 video games break up between the Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs final season, whereas averaging just below 17 minutes per sport. Timmins had filed for arbitration and had a listening to scheduled for August 2.
Timmins provides some defensive depth for Sabres
With the commerce to Buffalo, Timmins shall be suiting up for his fifth NHL staff. The defenseman is popping 27 years outdated in September and has performed 159 NHL video games throughout his profession.
The addition of Timmins marks one of many few notable modifications to the Sabres’ protection group for the approaching 12 months. Returning are Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Energy, and Mattias Samuelsson, who’re below long-term contracts, together with Bowen Byram, who not too long ago inked a two-year extension.
Nonetheless, the staff did add Michael Kesselring from the Utah Mammoth as a part of the J.J. Peterka commerce. In the meantime, the staff additionally signed Zac Jones on a one-year contract. With the additions of Kesselring and Timmins particularly, the hope is that the best aspect of Buffalo’s protection group will look slightly extra well-rounded.
Timmins is coming off one of the best season of his profession, so far. His 68 video games marked by far probably the most of his NHL tenure, along with his earlier career-high being set within the shortened 2021 season, the place he performed simply 31 video games. He additionally posted pretty sturdy outcomes, particularly in his restricted stint in Pittsburgh. Over 17 video games with the Penguins, the defenseman managed seven factors and a plus-nine score.
That stated, Timmins nonetheless should not be anticipated to tackle too massive of a task throughout the Sabres’ protection group. He might have a extra optimistic affect than Connor Clifton, however is probably going for use in a bottom-pairing position.
A two-year deal is affordable
With a two-year contract, the deal comes with restricted danger. Timmins does not have a big pattern measurement of being an on a regular basis NHL defender, so it stays to be seen whether or not he finally ends up being a notable improve.
On the similar time, there is not actually any purpose for concern with the deal. If Timmins does not find yourself understanding, the Sabres will solely be on the hook till 2027. The contract provides the staff time to take one other take a look at their protection group at that time, and both lock in Timmins as a longer-term piece or search a much bigger improve.
Then again, it leaves the chance for Timmins’ worth to rise over the course of his contract. If he had signed a one-year contract as an alternative, the deal would’ve walked Timmins proper to unrestricted free company subsequent summer season.
Contemplating Timmins is simply more likely to take a depth position with Buffalo, a two-year contract is smart.
Timmins’ cap hit is available in larger than anticipated
Whereas a two-year deal is affordable, Timmins’ cap hit does are available in a bit larger than anticipated. A $2.2M cap hit does not appear unreasonable for a bottom-pairing defender, however it’s necessary to issue within the circumstances. Although his outcomes final season had been good, Timmins is now in his mid-20s and has a really minimal pattern measurement of enjoying a excessive quantity of video games.
Based mostly on comparables with comparable age and statistics, a two-year deal for Timmins ought to are available in at a $1.4M cap hit, per HockeyComparables.com. So the $2.2M does are available in larger than it presumably ought to have.
On the similar time, the Sabres profit from cap flexibility. They did not spend massive this offseason and nonetheless have over $5 million in cap area, per PuckPedia.com. So though Timmins’ cap hit is available in a bit larger than anticipated, it is unlikely to have any adverse affect. The wage cap is predicted to rise once more subsequent 12 months as nicely, so Timmins’ cap hit remains to be low sufficient that it should not forestall any future strikes.
Timmins’ contract is a low-risk transfer for the Sabres
General, the deal appears alright for Buffalo. Timmins does not have a ton of expertise enjoying in NHL video games, however could possibly be an improve over Connor Clifton. He is proven some upside over his profession; it is only a matter of sustaining sturdy outcomes over a bigger pattern measurement.
Timmins’ cap hit does are available in larger than anticipated. On the similar time, a $2.2M cap hit remains to be low sufficient that it does not have a lot of an affect on the staff’s wage cap scenario.
The 2-year time period additionally limits any danger for the Sabres. If Timmins does not have the specified affect on the staff’s proper aspect, it is a short-term dedication. On the similar time, it is lengthy sufficient that he might enhance his worth, versus a one-year deal, which might have walked him proper to unrestricted free company. If Timmins generally is a constant member of the lineup and solidify himself as a dependable depth defender, he is also due for a much bigger deal in 2027.
Whereas the Sabres overpaid a bit by way of cap hit, it is nonetheless a superb deal at a fairly low quantity to lock up a defender who might enhance the staff’s blue line.
Timmins’ Grade: A-
Sabres’ Grade: B-