The hockey world has been on pause for nearly three months, but things looking up after the NHL announced plans for a 24-team Stanley Cup Playoffs last week. The league shutdown has not stopped clubs from doing whatever business they can (including signing prospects to entry-level contracts and free agents from the KHL) and potentially formulating plans after the season with the financial losses affecting the salary cap over the next couple seasons.
Taking a look at a number of potential roster scenarios involving the Toronto Maple Leafs and gauging how GM Kyle Dubas may address the situation, we will look at the Leafs situation on the blueline, specifically defensive prospect Timothy Liljegren and his future with the club.
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. Both GM Kyle Dubas and Asst GM Laurence Gilman believe that the Swedish blueliner is ready for the NHL.
"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," Gilman said.
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 Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci and confidence that Liljegren is NHL-ready, it would appear that the right-hander has the inside track on one of the vacant spots on Toronto’s right side.
The factor that should contribute to the young blueliner getting a lengthy look in the NHL next season include the salary cap likely not increasing from $81.5 Million. Liljegren is in the second year of his entry-level contract and his $863,333 salary would help the cap-crunched Leafs fit under the salary cap next season with it likely not increasing.
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.
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