TBH, I wouldn't be surprised if Timashov is included in a deal.
I imagine he and his agent realize he's likely been passed over, and an NHL future isn't with us. So I wouldn't be shocked if it comes out that he and his agent quietly asked for a move, similar to what Rinat Valiev did
I could see us send Gauthier & Timashov somewhere for a conditional pick(s) based on how many games they play.
I don't think he's necessarily been "passed over". He just knew it was always going to be a dogfight to get playing time with a bunch of quality skilled wingers in our system, so unless he passed over guys himself, he wasn't going to make it.
However if you think about it, the Leafs are probably going to be looking for replacement wingers next year. The Leafs may deem Johnsson expendable if he's only putting up a 40-45 point pace at 3.4 mill as an offensive winger. They'd get a great return on a trade for him, but they may be willing to give a shot to a younger and cheaper guy (and someone like Timashov would fit very well if he takes that next step).
If the Leafs trade Gauthier, I think they get a guaranteed pick in the 4th round or something around there. We shouldn't have to provide waiver protection for him, because a lot of teams would want someone like him. If it's Timashov, it would also have to be worthwhile. This is a guy who, in a lot of ways, looked like Johnsson from two years ago. Like I said, he's more of a playmaking version where he'll trade 5 goals for 5 assists, and Johnsson was a bit better defensively IMO, but Timashov put up similar point totals at 22 vs. Johnsson at 22 and did not always get the same quality of ice time Johnsson did right out of the gate when he first came over. There is a lot of value in Timashov still, but luckily not enough there
yet to warrant a team claiming him.
Next year he could easily continue to follow the Johnsson path, explode to a PPG+ in the AHL, and be ready for a full time NHL job to replace a guy like Johnsson if he is too expensive to keep.