The Toronto Maple Leafs traded Timothy Liljegren, which raised my eyebrows. Liljegren, a proficient younger defenseman with underlying stable analytics, appeared poised for a breakout season if solely given the chance. Regardless of his promise, the Maple Leafs shipped him to the San Jose Sharks for a third-round decide, a sixth-round decide, and defenseman Matt Benning.
This commerce raises questions on Toronto’s strategy to participant improvement, desire for physicality over talent, and lack of readiness to put money into and develop its younger defensemen.
Three Issues with the Maple Leafs Pondering
There have been at the very least three issues with how the Maple Leafs dealt with the current commerce of Liljegren.
Downside 1. The Maple Leafs Mismanaged Liljegren’s Potential
The Maple Leafs had invested time and assets into Liljegren’s improvement, even recognizing his worth with a $3 million contract final offseason. Nonetheless, the teaching employees, led by Craig Berube, undervalued him. Liljegren’s restricted ice time early within the season raises questions in regards to the staff’s dedication to his development.
Whereas Liljegren won’t match the staff’s shift towards a bodily model of play, his strengths as a puck-mover and a reliable defenseman had been plain. His talent set might have crammed a big position on a staff needing depth on protection, however he by no means gave the impression to be absolutely built-in into Berube’s plans.
Downside 2. The Maple Leafs Traded Away Liljegren’s Worth and Potential Progress
Buying and selling Liljegren after sitting him out of 9 of the primary ten video games diminished his commerce worth. For a former first-round decide who’s logged practically 200 NHL video games, the return—a third-round decide, a sixth-round decide, and a marginal roster participant—is much from ample.
At 25 years previous, Liljegren remains to be younger for a defenseman. He had ample room to develop right into a top-four position. By shifting on from him so rapidly, the group missed a chance to develop a possible mainstay on their blue line. This commerce exemplifies a short-sighted choice which may value the staff in the long term.
Downside 3. The Crew Didn’t Contemplate the Challenges of Toronto’s Market
Liljegren’s tenure with the Maple Leafs underscores the problem of growing defensemen in Toronto’s high-pressure setting. In response to his agent, Peter Wallen, Toronto’s market calls for gamers carry out at their peak below intense scrutiny. Such stress can result in hesitation and undermine confidence, particularly for youthful gamers who require time to adapt and develop.
In hindsight, the Maple Leafs may need been a troublesome match for Liljegren. His transfer to San Jose may present him with the lower-pressure setting he must play with the boldness required on the NHL degree. This commerce calls consideration to Toronto’s ongoing battle to nurture defensive expertise in a means that permits them to thrive.
What’s Subsequent for Liljegren and the Maple Leafs?
The Liljegren commerce ought to remind the Maple Leafs of the hurdles they face in growing defensemen. It seemingly is not going to. Because the group goals to solidify its defensive core, making a tradition that fosters younger gamers’ development and confidence is essential. If the staff prioritizes short-term fixes over long-term participant improvement, they danger repeating this sample with different promising expertise.
I won’t know the whole lot about hockey from the within, however from the place I’m sitting, the Maple Leafs made a mistake shifting this younger defenseman.
Associated: 3 Takeaways from the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 Kraken Win
