NHL insider reveals Toronto Maple Leafs are secretly shopping young defenseman

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Graham Montgomery
September 5, 2024 (9:40)

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NHL insider David Pagnotta recently revealed that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in Max Pacioretty, and they move a young defenseman Connor Timmins to get the deal done.

That defenseman would be Connor Timmins. Timmons, 25, played in just 25 games for the Leafs last season as he dealt with injuries and illness that kept him out for most of the season. When he did get into the lineup his performance was rather inconsistent, but overall about average for a bottom pair defender. He does have an offensive flare to his game, as he scored a goal and had 10 points in those 25 games. In 91 career NHL games, he has 3 goals and 31 points.

Timmins is making just over a million dollars against the cap next season, so he is an easy target for cap savings as he can be easily traded or sent to the AHL as NHL insider David Pagnotta points out.

"The Maple Leafs currently have slightly over $1.275 million in salary cap space but could free up an additional $1.1 million by trading defenceman Conor Timmins, or the team could place him on waivers and if he clears then send him down to the AHL."

Pagnotta seems to believe that Timmins could be involved in Brad Treliving's plans as a way to create the cap room he needs to sign free agent forward Max Pacioretty. Whether that means waiving him to the AHL or trading him, either move would likely create all the room they need as Pacioretty is coming off a season where he played just 47 games and scored 19 points. Furthermore, the 35-year-old has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, and stands to be a liability in terms of his health for whichever team signs him.

"The Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings are among the teams that have expressed varying degrees of interest in Pacioretty."

Toronto Maple Leafs reporter Nick Alberga has also reported that the Leafs are one of the final teams involved in the Max Pacioretty sweepstakes.

All of this would seem to point to the possibility that Brad Treliving does indeed make a move in regards to Timmins in order to bolster his forward group with Pacioretty. Will he actually make the move though? Be sure to stay tuned to find out for yourself.

Source: MapleLeafsDaily
Insider reports Maple Leafs quietly shopping 25-year-old defenseman