Red Wings: Dmytro Timashov deserves another chance in 2020-21 season

The Detroit Red Wings took a flyer on forward Dmytro Timashov, and there’s no reason to give up yet.

The COVID-19 pandemic would shut down this past February, about three weeks before the Detroit Red Wings season the organization claimed Dmytro Timashov off waivers. The season being shut down obviously makes things interesting for the Red Wings and Timashov.

In 2019-20, Timashov was buried on the fourth line for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it was clear that he wanted a change of scenery, so when placed on waivers, Steve Yzerman took a chance. It would up with the left-winger finding his way into five games, but then the season was paused.

Things did not work out all that well for Timashov after being claimed as he struggled to get his passport and visa worked out to get into Detroit. After finally getting through, the season was halted, which works against Timashov.

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Timashov did not record a single point during his five-game stint with the Red Wings; in fact, he was quite invisible on the ice.

Recording only three shots and averaging about 12 minutes of ice time which may not be a vast improvement.

With the Maple Leafs, Timashov would play in 39 total games, averaging just a tick over eight minutes of ice time.

In his 39 games, Timashov would record four goals and five assists for nine total points for the Leafs.

The Leafs selected Timashov back in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft as a fourth-round draft pick.

He took some time to get up to the NHL club, making his debut in 2019-20, but spending three years in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies.

Now twenty-three, Timashov is looking to translate some of the AHL success into the NHL, but things did not go well in Toronto. While he is no top prospect, he did produce some numbers with the Marlies, and maybe the change of scenery will do the trick for the winger.

One thing is certain; there is no reason to ditch Timashov yet, he got five whole games to prove his worth, give the kid a chance in 2020-21. He is a restricted free agent as it is, he took home $694,444 this year, why not re-sign him on a cheap contract to see if he proves himself.

With the way Yzerman has run things as General Manager, the “prove-it” players seem to be something he likes to try. It was apparent after he made a move for Robby Fabbri, which panned out nicely, establishing a new top-six forward and scoring threat for the Red Wings.

However, one of Yzerman’s other reclamation projects, Brendan Perlini, did not work out so well as the stats show from 2019-20. Given his likeness to bring in these types of players, why not give it a shot with Timashov this upcoming season?

The Detroit Red Wings have the reason, the capital, and space to do so, so bring back Dmytro Timashov on a “prove-it” contract and see what he can do.