After the Toronto Maple Leafs secured one of Europe’s best defensemen, there’s been a lot of chatter regarding which player could be on their way out.
This is all normal — the Toronto Maple Leafs make a trade and everyone thinks it signifies another move.
Okay, yes, sometimes it does, but I don’t think this will occur with Timothy Liljegren.
The now only 21-year-old has played 11 games in the NHL since being drafted in 2017. Obviously there’s question marks as to why that number is so small when he went 17th overall, but you have to remember, defensemen take time to develop.
He’s clearly not Rasmus Sandin but a much bigger project — that needs more time.
And no, it’s not time to trade him.
Liljegren is still very young, and with a lot of potential to be a threat on the right-side, why would you make that trade?
Although he’s not ready for the NHL just yet, why not let him get more minutes with the Toronto Marlies?
With 30 points in 40 games in the AHL, he’s clearly a threat who can make a difference. And according to Toronto Marlies GM, Laurence Gilman, he could be ready for a spot with the Toronto Maple Leafs:
A top seven or eight role with the Toronto Maple Leafs would be great, but what about his development?
This is a massive year for his development because of the age he is, and if you sit him in the press box for a majority of those games, it’s all going to be gone.
The Toronto Maple Leafs need to develop a defenseman that’s right-handed, and Liljegren is it.
Marlies GM Laurence Gilman says Timothy Liljegren took another step this season: "I will be surprised if he doesn't play in the top seven or eight with the Toronto Maple Leafs next year."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 11, 2020
I may be contradicting myself just a little bit here, but there also could be some upside to being a seven or eight.
If Liljegren is with the Toronto Maple Leafs all season, he gets a lot of practice time alongside the teams best defenders. He’ll be able to come in, learn, and hopefully develop more.
Even with him being a top seven or eight defenseman, it could still provide the development he needs to become the player people thought he would be when he was drafted.
By all means though, there should still be no trade.
There are many other options that could bring a better right-shot defenseman to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and still keeping the player they need to develop most.
If they can do that, great. If not, it’ll be interesting to see what they get in a trade involving Liljegren.