The Buffalo Sabres avoided salary arbitration with defenseman Conor Timmins. The two sides agreed to a two-year, $4.4 million dollar contract. The deal carries a $2.2 million cap hit.
The 2025-26 season will be Timmins’ first with Buffalo. Back on June 28, the Sabres acquired Timmons from the Pittsburgh Penguins along with minor league defensemen Isaac Belliveau. The trade sent defenseman Connor Clifton and a 2025 second-round pick (Peyton Kettles) the other way.
The trade continues the reshaping of the Buffalo blueline this offseason. The Sabres also added rearguard Michael Kesselring in the deal which sent winger JJ Peterka to Utah.
Sabres strive to lower team GAA
Sabres’ general manager Kevyn Adams and head coach Lindy Ruff have set a goal: make the 2025-26 edition of the team more defensively responsible. The two blueline additions are one aspect. Meanwhile, the organization will rely heavily on new goaltender Alex Lyon. The entire group is commitment to keeping pucks out of their own net.
Timmins, 26, is a solid two-way bottom pairing defenseman who will bring depth to the revamped backline. Moreover, it became clear last season that Clifton was not a Ruff favorite. Adding Timmins and Kesselring points to Ruff’s influence on roster decisions. Timmins had a plus minus total of plus nine last season for Pittsburgh. He’s not a star but Timmins is a valuable upgrade for a Sabres team looking to emphasize team defense.
However, Peterka’s departure carries with it the loss of his sixty-eight primarily even strength points from last season. With no Peterka replacement present, the path to staying in the Eastern Conference playoff chase will rely on a defense first philosophy in Buffalo.
Improvement in the crease will also be essential to this game plan if the Sabres are to be competitive. In addition to Lyon, incumbent netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukonen must return to the level he exhibited in 23-24. Meanwhile, Devon Levi must continue to develop and be ready when called upon in Buffalo.
Improved team defense and goaltending: the Sabres’ best hope for icing a competitive squad next season.
Follow Dave on X: @DaveNHL
On Facebook: dave.reichert.98
