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Chatter began to emerge late last month that the Toronto Maple Leafs were interested in extending defenseman Conor Timmins after playing well in a short stint after being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes in November. On Thursday, the Leafs announced that they have signed Timmins to a two-year, $2.2 million contract extension(an average annual value of $1.1 million). The 24-year-old blueliner has 12 points (1 goal, 11 assists) in 18 games with the Leafs this season after being obtained for forward Curtis Douglas on November 23. The St. Catherines, ON native is the third young defenseman that GM Kyle Dubas has been able to get signed to a bridge deal, locking up both Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin to two-year, $2.8 million deals before the season.
The Timmins deal gives the Leafs a solid depth option with offensive ability on the right side, and a likely spot filler for pending unrestricted free agent Justin Holl.
Steeves, 23, is having another excellent season with the Marlies, with 38 points (16 goals, 22 assists) in 44 games; second in club scoring to Logan Shaw, and may be another forward getting a look as a potential depth forward before the Leafs go shopping at the deadline.
GM Kyle Dubas in comments to the media at Ford Performance Centre says that Murray could be out a couple of weeks with the ankle injury.
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