Colorado Avalanche: Top 10 prospects entering the 2018 season

2. Conor Timmins, D [19 years old]

Stats (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL): 36 gp, 8 g, 33 a, 41 p, 4 PPG (11 A), 2 SHA, 1 GWG, 93 SOG, 1.14 pts/g (23 gp, 5 g, 13 a, 18 p, 2 PPG (9 A), 1 SHG, 2 GWG, 62 SOG, .78 pts/g).

Conor Timmins is a top-four defenseman in the works, impressing even in a shortened season. He proved that in the playoffs, when he was tied for first in scoring, first in goal scoring, and was third in assists and ninth in points per game. Even in half of a regular season, Timmins was tied for 17th in scoring, 22nd in goal scoring, 13th in assists, and was fourth in points per game. Timmins can do a ton of damage in a short amount of time, and that’s excellent for the Colorado Avalanche.

What isn’t excellent is his injury, because it means it could come up again later in his career. Still, it shouldn’t hamper his ceiling, as he’s still a very highly touted almost sure-fire top-four defensemen who will quarterback the power play. He can also play defensively, has the size to be a difference maker in his own end, and was seen as a first-round pick the year he was drafted.

Timmins was selected to the OHL’s Second All-Star Team, helped Canada win the U20 World Junior Championships Gold medal, and was named a U20 World Junior Championship Top 3 player on the team. He’s very good, but he’s just not as good as this next guy.