The Timothy Liljegren era has finally come to an end in Toronto.
Seven years after the Maple Leafs selected Liljegren 17th in the 2017 NHL Draft, they dealt him to the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday for a 2025 third-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick and defenseman Matt Benning, the team announced. The third-round pick will be whichever is better of picks San Jose previously acquired from the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche.
Liljegren’s was a tenure, ultimately, of potential not fully realized.
The Leafs waited and waited, and hoped and hoped, that Liljegren would become a pillar on the right side of their top four on defense.
I think that’d be the most important part of the deal. Can’t have that cap space just sitting there.