In the wake of the Toronto Maple Leafs early exit for the fourth year in a row, GM Kyle Dubas faces another offseason of uncertainty and a fan base eager for positive results. In spite of expressing confidence in the club’s core group, Dubas faces a number of decisions necessitated by contracts expiring and a need for improvement. The Leafs got started reshuffling the roster with the trade of Kasperi Kapanen to Pittsburgh last month, but more changes may be coming. The area of much focus is the right side of the blueline with Cody Ceci and Tyson Barrie headed for unrestricted free agency. With Justin Holl the only righty with NHL experience, will there be a place for youngster Timothy Liljegren.
The 2017 top pick showed a great deal of growth in his game at both ends of the ice in his third season with the Toronto Marlies, scoring 30 points (5 goals, 25 assists) in 40 games and earning a spot on the AHL All-Star squad. The 21-year-old earned an NHL call up just prior to the All-Star break and was recalled in early February when the Leafs were struck by the injury bug.
Liljegren appeared awe-struck at times during his 11-game NHL stint, but began to get more comfortable as time elapsed. Although the youngster practiced with the club through Phase 2 and 3 of the Return to Play, he did not see any action in the one exhibition game or the qualifying series vs. Columbus.
"I'm very fond of Timothy Liljegren, both as a person and as a hockey player and I really felt that his game took a tremendous step this season. He obviously has very good puck skills, he transports the puck very well. He skates very well, he has a good shot," Leafs Assistant GM Laurence Gilman said earlier this year. “The greatest impact in his game in my mind was how he processed the game. How he thought, his decision-making going forward. I believe Timothy is ready to become an NHL player, whatever level that's going to be. I will be surprised if he doesn't play in the top seven or eight with the Toronto Maple Leafs next year. He's got to hold up his end of the bargain but in terms of the development that he's had in the past 12 months. I think it's been tremendous."
With the likely departure of Barrie and Ceci, the 2017 top pick could be in the mix for a spot on the bottom pairing along with KHL import Mikko Lehtonen or Travis Dermott (both left hand shots who can play the right side), but with 2018 first rounder Rasmus Sandin potentially being on the left, Toronto may not want to take the risk of starting the season with such an inexperienced tandem.
The fact that the salary cap is not increasing from $81.5 Million could give Liljegren a better chance at an opportunity to make the club since his entry-level contract has his salary at less than $1 Million for next season.
The 21-year-old also is exempt from the upcoming expansion draft and has options to return to the AHL without being exposed to waivers, so Dubas does have options if Liljegren still needs more experience before being ready, which could include including him as part of a deal to acquire a right-hander capable of playing in the top four.
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»