When the Flyers pulled the trigger on a trade that sent Kimmo Timonen to the Chicago Blackhawks, there were two things that stood out. For one, Timonen never got to play for the Flyers this season but what was more important was the favor the Flyers were doing for Timonen. He had a chance to go to a Stanley Cup contender.
Ron Hextall delivered on Timonen's request. He wanted to play. He wanted his chance.
The veteran defenseman, essentially making his farewell tour in the NHL, did not get the playing time he once did as a top defenseman in the NHL, but he did get the dream ending to his career.
Timonen, 40 years old and ready to give up playing the game he loved so much, hoisted the Stanley Cup on Monday night after Chicago’s 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6, concluding the most trying time in his career with the ultimate prize.
What is so astonishing about this is how unlikely Chicago’s chances were for Timonen. The Blackhawks were a clear Cup favorite, and it shouldn’t be any surprise that they were crowned champions for the third time in six seasons, but the Flyers could have done Timonen the same favor with any of the other 15 teams that played in the playoffs – at least eight of which were safely in the playoff picture at the trade deadline.
Why not a return to where it all began in Nashville? Why not an East team like Tampa – who picked up another Flyers defenseman instead – or the Rangers or the Capitals? Why not Anaheim or Montreal or one of the teams so safe in points that there was no question about it.
Maybe it is because Chicago just always seems to have the x-factor come playoff time. They find ways to win.
Look no further than Timonen’s playing time in the Final itself. While limited by minutes, the three games where Timonen dressed and played were wins for Chicago.
"It’s unbelievable," Timonen said in an interview on NBC after the game. "Obviously, I’ve been dreaming of this the last 17 years. I am leaving this game. It gave me a lot. I gave everything for this game. I am happy and ready."
Chicago is certainly a veteran club, but with many fresh faces to such a run. Timonen joined Antoine Vermette as one of those players. Vermette is in his 13th NHL season at age 32. Teuvo Teravainen, also new to the team for this run, spoke of Timonen as a father figure.
The 20-year-old, Finnish rookie told reporters after the Blackhawks Game 5 win that Timonen was so excited he had to calm him down.
It’s hard for Timonen not to be excited about being so close, and now winning, when the risk was worth the reward.
Think back to those grueling months from August to February – the constant monitoring, the treatment, the blood thinners, the doctors talking about the slim possibility of Timonen playing.
Instead, on Monday night, Timonen was on the ice and celebrated with the rest of his Chicago teammates, finally getting the reward that eludes so many who risk so much.
"All the hours, all the battles, all the games I played," Timonen said. "It’s a great journey. It’s been a long one. What happened last summer, I am happy to be here. It’s been a long process. I’m a Stanley Cup Champion."
The defenseman who was so calm, cool and collected in all his years as a professional couldn't contain his emotions.
He started crying when Patrick Kane scored with 5:14 left in the third period to essentially ice the game. The look of sheer joy and happiness and overall gratification for such an enormous and difficult achievement encompassed Timonen as he finally lifted the Stanley Cup over his shoulders, after it was handed to him by captain Jonathan Toews.
Timonen held it for a moment before turning toward the rest of his Chicago teammates who signaled toward the other side of the ice. Toews was standing in that direction and yelled a simple instruction.
"Kimmo, go for a skate." He did. The tears began to flow again.
It was about as perfect a moment as you could draw up. And nobody deserved it more than Kimmo.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
