I’ve always liked him more than maybe some others have. He just can’t make the decision to concentrate on the things he does well. Always trying to do too much. With this injury, we’ll have to see what his future holds, but it’s a sneaky signing. Not because we all didn’t know it was gonna happen, but because he can be a difference maker in a tight series, if they can get him to commit himself to play to his strengths.
The problem is, I’m not so sure the Leafs are gonna tighten things up enough under the new regime, for him to be effective. He is still in that stage Olli Maatta was in for 2-3 years. Where he hasn’t really committed to be the type of dman he can succeed being. Just zero in on the things you do well, and let his game fall into place.
He protects the puck well, he actually moves it pretty well too. His retrieval skills are about average. He has brain farts and has shown he will panic at times, if he’s not confident in how a play is developing. For example, a simple pass that’s in his feet, instead of just doing what comes natural and kicking the puck to his stick, he starts feeling the forecheck pressure too soon, and panics a little, because the pass isn’t right on his stick.
It’s stupid stuff that’s always gotten him in trouble. If they can get him to commit himself to playing a very specific defensive role, like Maatta has learned to play, he can extend his career. If he doesn’t, good bet he’s back to a healthy scratch in the playoffs.
This probably isn’t good news for Timmons. Another player who needs to commit himself to doing the things he does well, and becoming a solid 5 for the next 5-6 years, rather than trying to do too much. Unfortunately if he finally does this season, it’ll probably be somewhere else.