Conor Timmins Bio
Conor Timmins is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays 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 by the Colorado Avalanche with the 32nd overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He debuted in the NHL in 2019 after a productive junior career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds, Timmins is recognized for his right-handed shot, offensive instincts from the back end, and his ability to contribute on the power play.
Across his professional career, Timmins has suited up for the Colorado Avalanche, Arizona Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Pittsburgh Penguins before joining the Buffalo Sabres. He has endured multiple injuries early in his career but has built a reputation for resilience, gradually emerging as a dependable two-way defenceman.
Early Life and Background
Conor Timmins was born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario, a city in the Niagara region known for its deep hockey tradition. He grew up playing minor hockey in the area, including a stint with the Southern Tier Admirals of the South-Central Triple A Hockey League during his minor midget years. His development in this competitive environment helped shape his skills as a puck-moving defenceman with strong hockey sense.
Before committing fully to major junior hockey, Timmins began his junior career with the Thorold Blackhawks of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. He was later traded to the St. Catharines Falcons, where his performances drew attention from OHL scouts. His steady progression through these local programs laid the foundation for his selection in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.
Path to Hockey
Timmins was chosen in the fourth round, 79th overall, by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection. He debuted for the Greyhounds in the 2015–16 season, registering 13 points in 60 games while adjusting to the higher pace of the OHL. The following season, 2016–17, marked a significant leap forward as he tallied 61 points, including 7 goals and 54 assists, and earned an invitation to the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
Heading into the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, NHL Central Scouting ranked Timmins as the 18th best North American skater. The Colorado Avalanche selected him with the first pick of the second round, 32nd overall. He returned to the Greyhounds for the 2017–18 season and produced 41 points in 36 games before signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Avalanche on March 2, 2018.
Conor Timmins Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Shortly after signing his entry-level contract with Colorado, Timmins suffered a concussion at the end of his final junior season. Lingering symptoms prevented him from playing any games for the Avalanche or their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, during the 2018–19 season. The setback delayed his professional debut but did not diminish his long-term potential.
On October 1, 2019, the Avalanche announced that Timmins had made their opening-night roster. He made his NHL debut two days later on October 3, 2019, skating on the Avalanche’s third defensive pairing in a 5–3 victory over the Calgary Flames. After just two NHL appearances, he was reassigned to the Colorado Eagles on October 7, 2019, to continue his development at the AHL level.
Arizona Coyotes Era (2021–2022)
Following the conclusion of his entry-level contract, Timmins was traded by the Avalanche, along with a first-round pick in 2022 and a conditional third-round pick in 2024, to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper on July 28, 2021. The Coyotes signed him to a two-year, $1.7 million contract extension on August 6, 2021. His time in Arizona was disrupted almost immediately, as a knee injury just six games into the season required surgery and ended his year.
After recovering in time for the 2022–23 season, Timmins appeared in two games for the Coyotes before another injury on October 15, 2022, sent him to the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners on a conditioning assignment, where he recorded three assists in six games. On November 23, 2022, he was traded by Arizona to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Curtis Douglas.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2022–2025)
Timmins made his Maple Leafs debut on December 6, 2022, against the Dallas Stars after spending time with Toronto’s development team. He quickly made an impact, picking up eight assists in his first ten games with the club. On January 8, 2023, he scored his first career NHL goal in a 6–2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. His strong play led the Maple Leafs to sign him to a two-year contract on February 9, 2023, ahead of restricted free agency.
After the 2023 trade deadline, the acquisition of veteran defencemen pushed Timmins out of the lineup heading into the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He opened the 2023–24 season on injured reserve after an undisclosed pre-season injury and did not debut until November 24 against the Chicago Blackhawks. In 2024–25, his first fully injury-free professional season, Timmins held down third-pairing duties and set a season high with 51 appearances before salary cap implications led to a March 7, 2025 trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins, alongside Connor Dewar, in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres Era (2025–Present)
With the Penguins, Timmins was given an expanded offensive role on the blue line and produced 1 goal and 7 points in 17 games to close out the 2024–25 season. As a pending restricted free agent, he was traded again on June 28, 2025, at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The Penguins sent him and Isaac Belliveau to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Connor Clifton and a second-round pick. On July 27, 2025, Timmins signed a two-year, $4.4 million contract extension with the Sabres.
Driving Style and Strengths
Timmins is valued as a right-shot defenceman with smooth skating, strong transitional play, and a reliable first pass out of the defensive zone. His offensive instincts allow him to quarterback the power play, while his continued improvement in his own end has helped him earn steady third-pairing and power-play minutes at the NHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Timmins won a gold medal with Canada at the 2018 World Junior Championships in Buffalo, New York, leading the tournament in plus-minus at +15 and recording an assist on the gold-medal-winning goal. His first NHL goal, scored on January 8, 2023, against the Philadelphia Flyers, and his first full injury-free NHL season in 2024–25 stand as defining personal milestones.
Conor Timmins Career Wins
While individual game totals for every stop are not fully detailed in available records, Timmins has accumulated notable achievements across junior, international, and professional levels, including a gold medal at the 2018 World Junior Championships and steady contributions at the NHL level with multiple franchises.
OHL and Junior Highlights
During his time with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Timmins posted 61 points in 2016–17 and 41 points in 2017–18, earning an invitation to the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game along the way. His performances were central to the Greyhounds’ competitive stretch in those seasons.
Other Wins and Performances
Internationally, Timmins was a key piece of Canada’s gold-medal-winning squad at the 2018 World Junior Championships, finishing with 5 points and a tournament-best +15 rating. At the NHL level, his strongest offensive stretch came during his early games with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022–23, when he tallied eight assists in his first ten contests.
Conor Timmins Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Conor Timmins’ immediate family are limited. He grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario, and developed his hockey skills in the local minor hockey system, including time with the Southern Tier Admirals, Thorold Blackhawks, and St. Catharines Falcons.
Personal Life
Conor Timmins keeps his personal life largely private. No public information regarding a spouse, partner, or children has been confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season represented a breakthrough for Timmins, as he played his first fully healthy NHL campaign with the Toronto Maple Leafs and recorded a career-high 51 appearances. His steady two-way play on the third pairing provided value for a contending Maple Leafs roster before cap-driven roster moves led to his March 2025 trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In Pittsburgh, Timmins stepped into a more offensive-minded role and delivered 1 goal and 7 points in 17 games, showing he could produce when given power-play opportunities. His summer trade to the Buffalo Sabres and subsequent two-year, $4.4 million contract extension reflected the organization’s confidence in his upside.
Heading into the 2025–26 NHL season, Timmins is expected to compete for a top-four or power-play role on the Sabres’ blue line. With health finally on his side and a stable contract in place, he is well-positioned to deliver his most consistent NHL season yet.
