The Pittsburgh Penguins were clear sellers at the NHL trade deadline this season, as they netted a lot of picks and few rostered players.
But one of those rostered players has made an impression in that short amount of time.
Defenseman Conor Timmins has been a steady presence on Pittsburgh's third pairing since being acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs - along with forward Connor Dewar - on Mar. 7.
"I feel good," Timmins said. "I feel like the transition's been pretty smooth, and the guys have been great to me. So far, it's been good."
The smooth-skating blueliner has been contributing on both sides of the puck, registering a goal and four points in five games since joining the Penguins. In 51 games with Toronto this season, he produced just two goals and eight points total.
He is also second on the team in shots blocked per 60 at 5.28 and tied for first in shots blocked per game with 1.4. He's been mostly reliable in all zones, which is something that's a strength of his game.
And his hockey smarts have also allowed him to transition pretty quickly to Pittsburgh's system.
"I just think he's a good player," Sullivan said. "He also has a hockey IQ, and I think that's what allows him to transition is his ability to think the game. That's something that we noticed early on when we got him. He has aptitude, he has a hockey IQ, he sees it pretty well on both sides of the puck... We think he's getting better with each game he plays. We've really liked what he's brought to his team so far."
He's been seeing a lot of ice time with defense partner Ryan Graves, who he played with sporadically during their time with the Colorado Avalanche in 2020-21. Graves said he likes playing with a partner like timmins who isn't afraid to have the puck on his stick.
"He's good with the puck," Graves said. "He's a puck-mover. He's got decent size, so he can defend... he plays a two-way game. I like playing with a guy like that who likes to handle [the puck] a little bit, that wants the puck, that you can give it to him in tough spots because he's able to handle it.
He's a good player, he's got good feet, he makes good passes, he's a simple player... so, it's nice."
Beyond the transition on the ice - and the familiarity with a defense partner - Timmins's transition off the ice has been really smooth as well. He has enjoyed his time in Pittsburgh so far, and he looks forward to continue being a part of the locker room going forward.
"It's been super welcoming," Timmins said. "I talked to [former Penguin] Michael Bunting - I know him pretty well - so, before coming in, I spoke to him, and the first thing he mentioned was how great the room was here. So, I knew that I was coming into a great locker room, and the guys have been super helpful for me and Connor Dewar. It's been great."
Timmins is a pending-RFA this season, and there is no telling what the Penguins will decide to do in the offseason as far as their roster. In any case, Timmins is earning himself a new contract with each game he plays.
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