"Here in Philly, I think my role was so good and playing for the Flyers in front of these fans, it was something I'll remember for the rest of my life. We like the area here, we like to live here, and that's why we're back here. My kids like it here and they like the school. I think the Flyers are my No. 1 team," Timonen said on Oct. 12, 2015.
Acquired by the Flyers on June 18, 2007 from Nashville and immediately signed to a six-year contract along with close friend Scott Hartnell in exchange for returning the Predators' 2007 first-round pick acquired in the Peter Forsberg trade a few months earlier, Timonen immediately stepped in and became one of the best all-around defensemen in franchise history. His impact was felt right away as the Flyers reached the Eastern Conference Final just one season after posting the worst record in franchise history. Timonen led the team with 24:19 of ice time per game in the regular season and 24:41 in the 2008 playoffs.
Although short (listed at 5-foot-10) and lacking blazing speed, Timonen's powerful lower body, puck skills, ability to make smart plays away from the puck, heart, desire and two-way hockey sense more than made up for anything he lacked.
Over the course of the next seven season, Timonen posted 232 points in 519 regular season games, a cumulative plus-44 rating at even strength and dressed in 76 to 82 games annually while logging a lot of tough ice time and playing through an array of accumulated injuries.
In 71 games of playoff action, Timonen chipped in 29 points and was plus-eight. Timonen won the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers top defenseman of 2007-08, 2008-09, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14. He also participated in the 2007-08 and 2011-12 NHL All-Star Game as well as the 2010 and 2014 Olympics while a member of the Flyers.
Contemplating retirement after the 2013-14 season, Timonen elected instead to return for one final season and took a paycut from the Flyers in order to make things work out on the salary cap. Unfortunately, in August 2014, Timonen was diagnosed with blood clots in his lung and right calf. He missed all of training camp and the first five months of the 2014-15 season.
Timonen battled the odds and, after meeting with a battery of doctors, announced his intention to play again. In order to alleviate roster overcrowding and give Timonen a chance to chase the Stanley Cup one final time with a top contender, the Flyers traded their longtime blueline leader to the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 27, 2015. He fulfilled his goal and lifted the Cup at the end of his final game before retirement.
"You put so many hours into your career and so many games and practices," Timonen said in 2015. "Whenever it comes to hockey, you try to get your name on the Cup. I know it was a tough year last year - playing wise, it didn't go the way I wanted it to go. But at the end of the day, I was with the team that won and I was able to get my name on the Cup."
Timonen's younger brother, Jussi, briefly played for the Flyers during the 2006-07 season but primarily played in the AHL during his stint in the organization. Jussi Timonen was still a member of the organization when the Flyers first acquired Kimmo from Nashville but was traded to Dallas during the 2007-08 season.
