He played eight seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers between 1996 and 2004.

After spending the entire 1999–2000 season with Boston, Timander was taken by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft.

After playing in a career high 80 games in 2002–03, Timander was shifted between the Islanders and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, in 2003–04.

This led to him being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for a 7th round draft pick (Chris Campoli) on January 22, 2004.

He also took part in all of his new team's 18 playoff games, coming one win short of a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.