The Colorado Avalanche had the first pick in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft, and selected Conor Timmins. Timmins is a defenseman from Saint Catherines, Ontario. Timmins played for the Avalanche from 2019-20 to 2020-21, playing just 33 games and had seven assists (all in his second year in Colorado).
Timmins’ tenure with the Avalanche ended after just two years, setting up a trade that brought Darcy Kuemper to the Mile High City. Kuemper spent just one year with the Avalanche, but earned a contract from the Washington Capitals in free agency after he helped the Avalanche head to the Stanley Cup Final and eventually ended with a Stanley Cup trophy.
Timmins was just traded once again, this time from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo is just about 30 miles south of Saint Catherines, so I can imagine that was somewhat of a relief to Timmins. He can live in the area in which he’s from, which can be a great feeling for some players.
The 26 year old Timmins is now projected to play on the same defensive pairing as former Avalanche first-round pick, Bowen Byram. Byram was sent to Buffalo for Casey Mittelstadt just last year, but eventually fell out of favour following a stretch of underwhelming play. Mittelstadt was eventually traded to the Boston Bruins in a move for Charlie Coyle, who was just traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday, the first day of the 2025 NHL Draft.
Unfortunately, Timmins hasn’t found a steady home since his entrance into the NHL. His longest tenure was with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he spent three years. He’s now on his fifth team.
That’s just the way it goes with some players. They’re very rarely a sure thing. Even in the first round, some players are question marks and some never end up playing for the team that drafts them. Timmins hopefully will be able to fit in with the Sabres for an extended stay.