Toronto Maple Leafs Can Get More From Liljegren on The Taxi Squad

With taxi squads expected to be used next season, the Toronto Maple Leafs could see more progress from defenseman prospect Timothy Liljegren.

The 2021 NHL season will see the Toronto Maple Leafs carry between four and six players on a ‘taxi squad’, which will be treated as if the players were assigned to minor league affiliates, in virtually every way.

Players placed in the taxi squad will not count against the cap, but will be able to fully train with the NHL team, participate in team activities and will even be able to travel to every game, if the team wishes it.

With a handful of players able to work with the NHL roster and coaches closely, this could benefit the developments of a number of young players that are on the cusp of progressing into the majors, with one such player being Timothy Liljegren.

Liljegren Making The Jump

The 21-year-old right-handed blueliner was once viewed as one of the best prospects entering the 2017 NHL Draft, before being struck down by mono and suffering from the effects of the illness long after making his recovery.

Slipping the 17th overall, the Leafs looked to have secured an absolute steal in the draft, so it’s unsurprising why people are still wondering when the young Swede will make the leap up into the NHL after a few years of development in the AHL.

The rise of Rasmus Sandin has added to this discussion, but Liljegren is on the precipice and has looked extremely solid for the Toronto Marlies; winning the 2018 Calder Cup, developing his offensive production and becoming a top pairing player at that level.

Liljegren finally made his NHL debut last season, racking up 11 regular-season games and registering one assist while putting up 30 points (five goals, 25 assists) in 40 AHL appearances. (Stats via EliteProspects).

This season, the Kristianstad native will be keen to make even more progress in his development and the taxi squad should offer him the perfect opportunity to do so.

While playing regularly in the AHL has helped him develop well, Liljegren needs to start rubbing shoulders with NHL-level players and learning from coaches at the very highest level to truly fine-tune his game and put himself in the conversation for earning ice time.

Travelling with the team, training with some of the best players in the entire league, and receiving instructions from some of the best coaches in the game will do wonders for the 6-foot, 192lbs defenseman.

Liljegren still has plenty of talent, but has been a victim of not living up to his high billing as quickly as some would have liked, with Sandin almost progressing in the opposite direction, being a later first-round pick that has excelled and is already ready to compete for NHL ice time.

Being more involved with the NHL squad will also allow coaches to assess him far quicker and more closely, ensuring he takes the right steps to improve and put himself firmly at the front of their minds, especially if injuries take a toll in the 56-game season and call-ups from the taxi squad are needed.

Liljegren’s future is in his hands, but the Toronto Maple Leafs need to give him the best opportunity to improve and having him start on the taxi squad next season will certainly do this.