Editor In Leaf
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs: Top 4 Assets Most Likely to be Traded

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Alex Kerfoot #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his eventual game-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Alex Kerfoot #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his eventual game-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 18: Timothy Liljegren #37 of the Toronto Maple Leafs  . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Timothy Liljegren ($863K)

Liljegren is going to be an everyday NHL defenseman, however it may not happen in Toronto. After years of disappointments on the blue-line, the Leafs defensive-core has blossomed into a very good group.

The top-four of Justin Holl, Jake Muzzin, Morgan Rielly and T.J. Brodie isn’t changing for the next year, while Zach Bogosian and Travis Dermott have looked good in the No. 5 and No. 6 role. Obviously, those two spots could change next year, but the Leafs could easily bring one or both back and then promote Rasmus Sandin.

At the very best, Liljegren would be the No. 6 or No. 7 next season, so at what point do you move on from him? As mentioned, Sandin is arguably a better prospect than him, while Mac Hollowell isn’t too far behind. You obviously need depth at defense to win a Stanley Cup, but with the Leafs being competitive for the next few seasons, they should be able to find a few veterans to fill the gap at the bottom-end, instead of relying on a rookie.

The 21-year-old has six points (one goal, five assists) in eight games with the Toronto Marlies this season and is one of the team’s best defenseman, if not the best. The Leafs window to win a championship starts now and will probably be gone in two years, so if Liljegren isn’t going to be part of the solution from now until then, you may as well trade high on him.

You’d have to think that plenty of organizations around the NHL would kill for a young right-handed shot defenseman with a ton of potential, so that’s exactly what Liljegren has to offer. Package him with a draft-pick and/or a roster player and it could help the Leafs acquire a top-six forward that they desperately want.

Home/Editorials