Conor Timmins

Conor Timmins Bio

Conor Timmins is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a defenceman for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on September 18, 1998, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Timmins was selected 32nd overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He developed his skills through the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds before launching his professional career in 2019. Over his NHL journey, Timmins has demonstrated offensive ability from the blue line while overcoming significant injury setbacks. His career has taken him through multiple organizations, including the Colorado Avalanche, Arizona Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Pittsburgh Penguins before arriving in Buffalo in 2025.

Early Life and Background

Conor Timmins grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario, where he began his hockey journey playing minor midget with the Southern Tier Admirals of the South-Central Triple A Hockey League. His exceptional talent became evident early, and he was selected in the fourth round, 79th overall, by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection. Before joining the Greyhounds full-time, Timmins gained valuable experience playing with the Thorold Blackhawks of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League and later the St. Catharines Falcons.

Timmins officially debuted for the Greyhounds during the 2015-16 season, appearing in 60 games and recording 13 points. His development continued steadily through the junior ranks, showcasing the offensive instincts and hockey sense that would define his professional career.

Path to Hockey

The 2016-17 season marked Timmins’ breakthrough year in junior hockey. He exploded for 61 points, including 7 goals and 54 assists, in what became his most productive OHL campaign. His stellar performance earned him a selection to the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, where he competed against the best young players in Canadian junior hockey. Leading up to the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, NHL Central Scouting ranked Timmins as the 18th best North American skater, validating his status as a legitimate NHL prospect.

The Colorado Avalanche recognized his potential and selected Timmins with the first pick of the second round, 32nd overall, in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He returned to the Greyhounds for one more season following his draft, recording 41 points in 36 games during the 2017-18 campaign. Timmins signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the Avalanche on March 2, 2018, officially beginning his professional journey.

Conor Timmins Career

Colorado Avalanche (2019-2021)

Timmins faced significant challenges early in his professional career. He suffered a concussion at the end of his final junior season that caused symptoms preventing him from playing any games during the 2018-19 season with either the Avalanche or their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. This setback delayed his anticipated NHL debut.

Upon returning to health, Timmins made Colorado’s opening-night roster for the 2019-20 season. He made his NHL debut on October 3, 2019, in a 5-3 season-opening victory over the Calgary Flames, playing on the Avalanche’s third defensive pairing. After just two games with Colorado, Timmins was reassigned to the AHL to continue his development with the Colorado Eagles.

Arizona Coyotes (2021-2022)

Following the conclusion of his entry-level contract, Timmins became a restricted free agent. On July 28, 2021, the Avalanche traded him to the Arizona Coyotes along with first and third-round draft picks in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Timmins quickly signed a two-year, $1.7 million contract extension with Arizona on August 6, 2021. Unfortunately, his tenure with the Coyotes began with another injury setback when he suffered a knee injury requiring season-ending surgery after just six games.

Toronto Maple Leafs (2022-2025)

Timmins returned to action for the 2022-23 season with Arizona but suffered another injury after only two games. He was assigned to the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, for a conditioning stint where he recorded three assists in six games. On November 23, 2022, Timmins was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Curtis Douglas.

He made his Maple Leafs debut on December 6, 2022, against the Dallas Stars. Timmins made an immediate impact, recording eight assists in his first ten games with Toronto. He scored his first career NHL goal on January 8, 2023, in a 6-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. His strong play earned him a two-year contract extension on February 9, 2023. During the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Maple Leafs acquired veteran defencemen, which pushed Timmins out of the regular lineup.

The 2023 training camp saw Timmins in excellent form, leading the league in pre-season scoring. However, he suffered an undisclosed injury in a pre-season game against Montreal on September 29, 2023, and was placed on injured reserve until November 24. Moving into the 2024-25 season, Timmins assumed third-pairing duties while experiencing his first injury-free professional season. He established a season high with 51 appearances before salary cap roster implications prompted the Maple Leafs to trade him.

Pittsburgh Penguins (2025)

On March 7, 2025, Timmins was traded by Toronto to the Pittsburgh Penguins alongside Connor Dewar in exchange for a fifth-round draft selection. In an increased offensive role with the Penguins, Timmins posted 1 goal and 7 points through 17 games to finish the season, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively when given opportunity.

Buffalo Sabres (2025-Present)

As a pending restricted free agent following the 2024-25 season, Timmins was again on the move at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The Penguins traded him to the Buffalo Sabres alongside Isaac Belliveau in exchange for Connor Clifton and a second-round selection. On July 27, 2025, Timmins signed a two-year, $4.4 million contract extension with the Sabres, securing his place with his fifth NHL organization.

Defensive Style and Strengths

Timmins plays a right-shot defenceman who brings offensive instincts to the blue line. His strengths include strong puck-moving ability, vision for creating transitions, and an active stick in the defensive zone. He has demonstrated the capacity to quarterback a power play unit and contribute meaningfully on the scoresheet while maintaining responsible defensive positioning. His development has been hampered by injuries throughout his career, but when healthy, he has shown the ability to elevate his game in increased offensive roles.

Notable Events and Milestones

Timmins achieved a significant international milestone when he represented Canada at the 2018 World Junior Championships in Buffalo, New York. He contributed to the team’s gold medal victory, recording 5 points in the tournament including an assist on the game-winning goal in the championship game. Notably, he led the tournament in plus/minus with an impressive +15 rating, showcasing his two-way capability at the highest level of junior international hockey.

Conor Timmins Career Statistics

Throughout his NHL career spanning multiple organizations, Timmins has demonstrated consistent offensive ability from the defensive position despite injury interruptions. His first career NHL goal came with the Toronto Maple Leafs against Philadelphia in January 2023, marking a significant milestone in his professional development.

NHL Highlights

Timmins has accumulated his most productive offensive statistics during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he recorded 8 assists in his first 10 games following his acquisition. His 2024-25 season with Pittsburgh showed his ability to adapt to a new team, contributing 7 points in 17 games. The Buffalo Sabres signed him to a $4.4 million extension, indicating their confidence in his potential contribution to their blue line.

International Achievement

His most decorated achievement remains the 2018 World Junior Championship gold medal with Canada, where his +15 rating led all players in the tournament. This performance established him as one of the top defensive prospects in his draft class and validated his two-way playing style at the international level.

Conor Timmins Family

Family Background and Hockey Lineage

Public information regarding Conor Timmins’ family background, including his parents or any hockey lineage within his family, is not extensively documented in available sources. He grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario, which provided him access to strong minor hockey programs in the Niagara region.

Personal Life

Timmins has maintained a relatively private personal life away from the public spotlight. As a professional athlete, he has focused on overcoming the various injury challenges that have punctuated his career. His resilience in returning from multiple injury setbacks demonstrates his dedication to the sport and professional mindset.

2025-26 Season Performance

Conor Timmins enters the 2025-26 season with the Buffalo Sabres following his mid-June trade from Pittsburgh and subsequent contract extension. The two-year, $4.4 million deal represents a significant commitment from the Sabres organization, signaling their belief in his ability to contribute to their defensive corps. This move marks Timmins’ fifth NHL team in just six professional seasons, reflecting both his talent and the competitive nature of roster decisions in the league.

The Sabres are counting on Timmins to provide offensive production from the right side of their blue line while maintaining responsible defensive play. His career trajectory suggests he performs best when given consistent opportunity and a defined role within a team’s system. The coaching staff will likely look to integrate him gradually while managing any lingering effects from his previous injury history.

Timmins brings valuable experience from his time with Toronto, where he demonstrated chemistry with the Maple Leafs’ system and showed he could handle significant ice time when called upon. His successful navigation of multiple team transitions throughout his career speaks to his adaptability and professional approach. The 2025-26 season represents an opportunity for Timmins to establish himself as a reliable contributor with the Sabres while helping Buffalo pursue their competitive goals in the Eastern Conference.