Insider Confirms Maple Leafs Working Hard to Complete a Trade Involving Timothy Liljegren

The Maple Leafs have begun the season with a number of players on Long-Term Injured Reserve, and will need to clear some cap space before anyone can be activated. As a result, the organization is on a bit of a ticking clock to complete a trade, and Sporstnet’s Elliotte Friedman has confirmed on his most recent edition of 32 Thoughts that Liljegren is the piece that they’re looking to move.
“Sounds like Toronto is working to find a landing spot for Timothy Liljegren. He’s down the depth chart, not a situation anyone is happy with.”

The 25-year-old former 1st round pick is believed to be unhappy with the fact that he was leapfrogged on the depth chart by Conor Timmins, and seems to be open to the idea of a move, if we’re interpreting Friedman’s report correctly.

Liljegren has had some injury trouble in his young NHL career, but when he has been healthy, he hasn’t been nearly as productive as what has been expected of him as a former 1st rounder (2017).

There is still undoubtedly some untapped offensive potential there, and Liljegren does have some term remaining after signing a new contract extension with the Leafs, which he signed during the off-season.

In terms of what his actual value might be, that’s the million dollar question. Liljegren, being a right-shot defenseman, is certainly going to be an intriguing piece on the trade market. It’s a reasonable expectation that the Leafs may want a player of a similar age and skill level in return, but until we receive additional information on that, it’s probably best not to speculate too much.

For Liljegren, a change of scenery might be nice as well, especially if it means consistent playing time, which he does not appear in line for under Craig Berube in Toronto.