So, get a load of this: The big shots over at the NHL’s Department of Player Safety just had to open their wallets and ding Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner, none other than Conor Timmins, for playing a little too rough on the ice. Apparently, he couldn’t keep his stick to himself and ended up giving Seattle Kraken forward Brandon Tanev a taste of lumber in yesterday’s shinny. The price tag for his shenanigans? A whopping two thousand eight hundred sixty-four dollars and fifty-eight cents. Yikes! That’s gotta hurt the bank account, right? And wouldn’t you know it, that’s the fattest fine they’re allowed to slap on someone under the rules. Ouch.
The whole fiasco went down right out of the gates, with Timmins thinking he was in a lumberjack competition, chopping away at Tanev from behind. This naturally sent the poor Kraken dude face-first into the danger zone behind Toronto’s net. Tanev, not one to take things lying down, hopped right back up, ready to drop the gloves. But before he could get his hands on Timmins, Simon Benoit swooped in like some makeshift bodyguard. The refs weren’t too pleased, dishing out a couple of two-minute stays in the sin bin for roughhousing and leaving the Kraken with a man advantage they didn’t cash in on—talk about a missed opportunity.
Now, don’t go thinking Timmins is always in the mix; no, sir. The Maple Leafs have had him riding the pine more often than not this season—playing him in a measly two games out of the last fifteen. Sure, he had to nurse a busted wheel for a good chunk of October and November, but even when he’s been in the lineup, he’s been more ghost than guardian on the ice. When he did make an appearance though, the guy flashed some nice moves, putting up one goal and five helpers across fifteen matchups. Not too shabby, eh?
And where’s this penalty money going? Well, it’s not just vanishing into thin air! It’s headed straight to the Player Emergency Assistance Fund, a little piggy bank for players hitting a rough patch. So, at least there’s that silver lining. But remember, folks, in the grand hockey opera, high-sticking is a big no-no—unless, of course, you’re ready to cough up some serious dough. Keep the sticks down, boys, or pay the piper!