Rumors of a defenseman swap between Leafs and Utah HC

This makes a lotta sense… especially considering Liljegren’s current situation with the Leafs.

Earlier this month, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for a “landing spot” via trade for defenseman Timothy Liljegren after a weak training camp and failing to crack the opening night roster.

“Sounds like Toronto is working to find a landing spot for Timothy Liljegren,” Friedman wrote for Sportsnet in early October. “He’s down the depth chart, not a situation anyone is happy with.”

Liljegren has slid so far down the team’s depth chart that he’s now the 7th or even best 8th defenseman. Morgan Rielly, Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jake McCabe, Simon Benoit, Conor Timmins and Jani Hakanpaa all hold down spots above him in the Leafs’ defensive rankings.

“Lilly’s got to do things quicker. He’s got to be a little bit heavier in his battles and move into pucks quicker and simplify the game,” head coach Craig Berube said last week. “He’s obviously battling. He wants to be a guy in the lineup every night, and that’s great. But sometimes you kind of put too much on your plate, right?

“Simplify the game a little bit more. If I had to say anything, simplify his game a little bit more. And just do your job as a defenseman, killing plays and being heavy.”

Now, Liljegren himself is speaking on the rumors and he’s making it clear that he’s not a fan of the way things are playing out.

“Yeah, not fun not playing, but I’ve been trying to come in, work as hard as I can to get back in the lineup.

If something happens, it happens.”

– Timothy Liljegren

Now, there are reports that Utah HC could be interested in Liljegren, especially considering their own situation with defenseman Juuso Valimaki. The 26 year old Finn has been scratched the past two games and has clearly worked his way out of Utah’s plans.

So… Liljegren for Valimaki.

Thoughts, Leafs fans?