Timmins was a standout defenseman with the OHL's Soo Greyhounds, recording 61 points in 67 games in 2016-17 and 41 points in 36 games as an alternate captain in 2017-18. He followed that performance up with three goals and 24 assists with the AHL's Colorado Eagles in 2020-21.
The former second-round draft pick (No, 32, 2017) has a high ceiling, but Coyotes head coach André Tourigny said the club is taking its time with him this preseason considering the injury that he had to work through.
"We trust the process with him; We want him to play every game and have the opportunity to have touches, read the play, get more and more confident, and get his legs under himself," Tourigny said. "We're trying to lay back on the evaluation. It's more for him, it's a process. He's a good kid, he works hard, and he's fun to work with."
Tourigny has seen the toll that injuries can take on players - not just physically, but also mentally. Timmins has played just 85 combined AHL and NHL games since the 2018-19 season, and the Coyotes' coaching staff wants to ensure he's comfortable heading into the upcoming year.
Spending so much time away from the game can be trying for even the most seasoned players.
"If that doesn't affect him, he's not human," Tourigny said. "It's impossible."
His injury occurred after he was checked by Florida Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas while corralling a puck near the blue line on Oct. 25, 2021. Though it would be easy to let that impact the way he plays moving forward, Timmins said he's completely moved past it.
He's just ready to get back into regular season games.