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The Toronto Maple Leafs return to action on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings at Scotiabank Arena and will make at least one lineup change, as it is expected that defenseman Timothy Liljegren will make his season debut. The right-handed blueliner will replace Conor Timmins alongside Simon Benoit on the bottom pairing.
Liljegren was a healthy scratch for the first three games and will get an opportunity to earn his spot in the lineup, but his position on the Leafs roster is precarious since the club has Timmins and Philippe Myers on the active roster and big veteran righty Jani Hakanpaa on LTIR but likely to be available by early November.
The 2017 first-rounders situation is not due to any lack of talent, but a more stylistic difference with coach Craig Berube, who has long been known to prefer size and aggressiveness on the blueline. Liljegren had 23 points (3 goals, 20 assists) in 55 games last season and had a larger role under former head coach Sheldon Keefe. The Leafs are in their usual salary cap quandary, with four players (Hakanpaa, Connor Dewar, Calle Jarnkrok, and Dakota Mermis) on LTIR, putting the Leafs over the cap by more than $5 million when these players return from injury.
Although the Leafs love the depth they have, at some point Treliving will have to make some tough choices of moving out some salary.
The Leafs held an optional skate on Wednesday and John Tavares (illness) participated, but William Nylander did not take to the ice. Head coach Craig Berube indicated that Nylander was a game-time decision. Joseph Woll (still on IR with back tightness) participated, which is an encouraging sign after skating the last two days.
Anthony Stolarz will get the start for Toronto, and former Leaf David Rittich will get the start for Los Angeles. Another former Leaf, Joel Edmundson will not be in the lineup for the Kings, due to an impending birth.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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