Newly acquired Buffalo Sabres defenseman Conor Timmins has filed for salary arbitration, the NHL Players’ Association announced today.
Timmins, 26, is one of the Sabres’ three unsigned restricted free agents. Defenseman Bowen Byram and goalie Devon Levi also need new contracts.
Byram had arbitration rights but did not use them.
Filing, of course, doesn’t mean a player will go to arbitration. Negotiations can continue. The sides usually reach a deal before the arbitration hearing.
Players who file for arbitration want more than their qualifying offer would pay them.
Eleven players filed for arbitration, according to the NHLPA.
The deadline for team-elected arbitration is Sunday at 5 p.m.
Hearings will be held from July 20 to Aug. 4.
The Sabres acquired Timmins last Saturday in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He compiled three goals and 15 points in 68 total total games last season with Pittsburgh and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He just completed a two-year, $2.2 million contract.