The Buffalo Sabres have signed defenseman Conor Timmins to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.2 million, the team announced Sunday.
Timmins, 26, joined the Sabres along with Isaac Belliveau from the Pittsburgh Penguins on June 28. In exchange, Buffalo sent a second-round draft pick and defenseman Connor Clifton to Pittsburgh. Timmins became a restricted free agent on July 1.
Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said the move was part of efforts to improve the right side of the team’s defense. “He’s a solid two-way player that is big, a right shot, and I think it just really solidifies our D corps moving forward,” Adams said.
The signing follows another offseason acquisition for Buffalo’s blue line: Michael Kesselring from Utah. Last season, Timmins played in 68 games and recorded his highest career average ice time at 18:43 per game after being traded from Toronto to Pittsburgh in March. While Timmins was on the ice at even strength, his teams had positive shares in goals (56.5%), expected goals (52.2%), shot attempts (51.6%), and scoring chances (51.9%).
With this contract completed, goaltender Devon Levi remains as Buffalo’s only restricted free agent.
