Editor In Leaf
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Toronto Maple Leafs: Building A Blue-Line From Within

By Eduardo Razo

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: (L-R) Head coach Mike Babcock, Timothy Liljegren, 17th overall pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and general manager Lou Lamoriello pose for a photo onstage during Round One of the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: (L-R) Head coach Mike Babcock, Timothy Liljegren, 17th overall pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and general manager Lou Lamoriello pose for a photo onstage during Round One of the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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It’s no secret that Toronto Maple Leafs needed to upgrade their defense.

The Achilles’ heel of the Toronto Maple Leafs last season was their under achieving blue-line. It’s almost time to start the new season, and outside of the dubious acquisition of Ron Hainsey, the Leafs defense has not been upgraded.

Toronto did have discussions with the New York Islanders about Travis Hamonic, but nothing occurred. When it comes to trade talks and defenseman, Toronto has sat quiet.

Over the past three drafts, the Toronto Maple Leafs have begun to assemble a respectable crop of defensive prospects.

Instead of overspending in free-agency or overpaying in the trade market, the Leafs appear to be trying to build from within. Since the arrival of Brendan Shanahan, they’ve installed a philosophy of giving young players an opportunity. Last season saw the likes of Connor Brown take a spot away from a veteran like Milan Michalek.

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In the past two drafts, the Toronto Maple Leafs have  selected a defenseman in the first three rounds. With the offensive of their prospect pool stacked, it’s time to focus on the defensive side. Toronto will look to build their blue line to match the talent they possess at the forward position.

The Pool Is Growing

The crown jewel of the defensive prospect pool is Timothy Liljegren.. Liljegren has all the tools needed to become an elite defenseman, although he dropped like a rock in the draft, to 17th, where the Leafs drafted him. Here’s an analysis of the Swedish defenseman via Elite Prospects:

"Decision making is at times a bit questionable and there is some room for improvement when it comes to his defensive game. If he puts everything together, he should become a high scoring defenseman thanks to his hockey sense, quick release and strong passing game."

Liljegren is the gem but far from the only defensive prospect with potential. There’s solid depth and potential up and down the organization. The likes of Andrew Nielsen, Travis Dermott, and Rinat Valiev already haveexperience with the Toronto Marlies and the NHL isn’t far off for any of them. The trio will look to use this preseason to state their case for one of the  potential openings with the Leafs.

If that wasn’t enough, Toronto added a pair of Swedish imports in Calle Rosén and Andreas Borgman will get their first taste of North American hockey. While both are overwhelmingly likely to play in the AHL this year, they do possess NHL quality potential.  It is not out of the question that one of them could surprise at camp and force their way onto the team.

Next: Dominic Moore Stats Analysis

Adding a top-four defenseman, for now, is ideal, but the Toronto Maple Leafs possess a lot of talent in their farm system and the future on defense looks bright.  Though there is an imperative to win while Matthews and company are on cheap entry-level contracts, the Leafs seem to be simultaneously building for the future as they continue to construct a solid blue-line foundation from within.

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