The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Connor DeWal along with defenseman Connor Timmins from the Toronto Maple Leafs before the 2025 NHL trade deadline. The Penguins, occupied with multiple transactions on deadline day, gave up only a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft to secure both players. Both DeWal and Timmins participated in the Penguins’ lineup down the stretch, with DeWal later signing a one-year contract extension on July 1st. Timmins, however, was traded to the Buffalo Sabres on June 28th during the second day of the 2025 NHL Draft.
DeWal recorded no goals and three assists in 31 games for the Maple Leafs but performed better against the Penguins, scoring four goals and accumulating seven points in 17 games. He contributed offensively and was a strong presence around the net and in the corners, consistently disrupting opponents’ transition plays. The Penguins hope to see more from DeWal this season, though he faces stiff competition for ice time in the bottom six forward group. If he secures a regular spot and performs well, the Penguins could potentially consider trading him at the next deadline.
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Fan Take: This move is significant for Penguins fans as it strengthens the team’s depth and adds promising talent. Watching DeWal develop could be a game-changer for the Penguins’ lineup and might influence future trade strategies in the NHL.
