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Toronto Maple Leafs Training Camp: Who’s Making the Team?

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 7: Timothy Liljegren #37 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Anaheim Ducks during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 7, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Ducks 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 7: Timothy Liljegren #37 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Anaheim Ducks during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 7, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Ducks 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 7: Timothy Liljegren #37 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Defenseman

Below is a list of the defenseman invited to training camp:

  • Alex Biega, TJ Brodie, Carl Dahlstrom, Travis Dermott, Joseph Duszak, Matthew Hellickson, Justin Holl, Mac Hollowell, Teemu Kivihalme, Filip Kral, Timothy Liljegren, Brennan Menell, Jake Muzzin, Morgan Rielly, Kristians Rubins, Rasmus Sandin, William Villeneuve

The Leafs top-six defenseman are almost certainly set, with Rasmus Sandin set to replace Zach Bogosian.

Trying to win a job over Sandin, or possibly even Dermott, will be Timothy Liljegren, who Leafs fans are very familiar with, and then someone who fans may not know as well in Brennan Menell.

Menell, is a right-shot defenseman, who lit up the KHL last year, but after watching Mikko Lehtonen with the Leafs last season, we all know that KHL stats don’t mean much. However, the one positive with his game is that he put up a lot of points in the AHL as well, before leaving for Russia, so his game translates to the North American style too.

Dermott is an interesting player, because although he’s a good bottom-pairing defenseman, it feels like you want more from him. He’s decent defensively, but you’d almost prefer someone who can help on the power-play too at that position, so Menell may get the edge over him.

Finally, Liljegren feels like the oldest prospect in hockey because every year we talk about him making the leap and then all of a sudden, there’s no room for him. This is the biggest training camp of his life and expect him to perform like his NHL life is on the line:

Prediction: 

  • Morgan Rielly – TJ Brodie
  • Jake Muzzin – Justin Holl
  • Rasmus Sandin – Brennan Menell
  • Travis Dermott

I think Menell will show enough that he makes the Leafs roster opening night, but it may push Dermott out as the seventh defenseman. Unfortunately, like many years prior, Liljegren will forced to start the season with the Toronto Marlies.

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