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Few Maple Leafs seemed extra glum throughout opening night time residence introductions than Timothy Liljegren.
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Because the digital camera panned the Toronto bench of these not in uniform Saturday, the Swedish defenceman’s doleful gaze seemed much more mournful when his close-up was enlarged on the Scotiabank Area display screen.
His demeanor on Monday was lots higher after coach Craig Berube elevated him to the third pairing with Simon Benoit at observe and stated later there’s “an opportunity” Liljegren makes his season debut Wednesday at residence towards the Los Angeles Kings.
Conor Timmins would come out, spending Monday with spare defenceman Philippe Myers and the injured Jani Hakanpaa.
“Not plenty of enjoyable not enjoying,” Liljegren understated. “however I’ve been attempting to come back in and work as onerous as I can to get again in. I don’t have a great reply why (he fell out of favour). I attempted my greatest, it didn’t go my method.”
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Each Berube and Liljegren spoke of productive talks the previous week to recalibrate the beginning of his season. Starting a two-year contract at $3 million AAV, it was unhealthy optics to drop out from the highest six, even with newcomers Chris Tanev and Oliver-Ekman Larsson assured spots.
“It’s extra like enjoying a neater, less complicated recreation,” Liljegren stated of the coach’s recommendation. “I believe that’s it. Play onerous and easy.”
Berube praised Liijegren for bringing “extra depth” to observe, “doing issues extra rapidly.”
Liljegren and Benoit performed one pre-season recreation collectively and the anticipation is the bodily Benoit would be the ideally suited complement and permit him extra time and area.
“He’s a giant physique, I’m certain it’s going to go well with me,” Liljegren stated. “I’ve struggled a bit, however the crew is enjoying nicely (with a 2-1-0 file).”
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With the Mitch Marner commerce mania dying down, then all of the late summer season hypothesis when Nick Robertson first requested to maneuver, Liljegren now’s the topic of rumours this month, although he simply signed his new deal at a big value.
“I strive not to consider it a lot, I’m not on social media.” Liljegren stated. “If one thing occurs, it does.
“I had some robust instances right here final 12 months, too, and I obtained via it. I’m certain it will likely be no completely different this time. I like Toronto, came visiting right here after I was 18 (to be a part of a Marlies’ Calder Cup membership), love the town, love the crew.”
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