The Edmonton Oilers made a smart move putting defender Josh Brown on waivers on Sunday (Oct. 6) as they made the ultimate touches to their roster for the 2024-25 season. With Brown being positioned on waivers, it probably proves that Travis Dermott has earned a contract from his skilled tryout (PTO) contract, and Troy Stecher may even make the workforce. Whereas the Oilers’ defensive depth is worrisome for a workforce seeking to make one other deep playoff run this upcoming postseason, it’s a step in the suitable course for them to ship Brown to the American Hockey League (AHL) after an underwhelming coaching camp.
Associated: Maple Leafs: 3 Sensible Targets for Matthew Knies in 2024-25
Whereas it seems to be like they gained’t be utilizing Brown as a lot as they thought once they signed him, one other defender — one who’s a stronger participant than Brown — could also be out there for the Oilers to amass as a depth piece. The Toronto Maple Leafs have handled defensive depth points for a number of seasons, however this season could also be the exact opposite as a result of it appears they’ve an overabundance of NHL-caliber defenders, and one might need to get traded. Timothy Liljegren might discover himself on the commerce wire this season due to that subject, and he ought to have some curiosity as a younger right-shot defender who might not value a lot to amass.
Liljegren is a 25-year-old Kristianstad, Sweden who has performed 196 video games within the NHL and has scored 14 targets and added 51 assists for 65 factors (a 0.33 points-per-game common.) He was drafted within the first spherical of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft at seventeenth general by the Maple Leafs after a powerful season in Sweden cut up between the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and the J20 SuperElite with Rogle BK and their affiliated groups. He had 5 factors in 19 video games within the SHL, and 7 factors by 12 video games within the SuperElite league.
Josh Brown, signed 3x$1M by EDM, is a depth defenceman. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/401aXuAdsM
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2024
Brown then again, is a 30-year-old right-shot defender from London, Ontario who was drafted within the sixth spherical of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft at 152nd general by the Ottawa Senators after an honest exhibiting within the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Oshawa Generals the place he had 16 assists by 68 video games. By way of 290 NHL video games, he has scored 11 targets and added 23 assists for 34 factors (a 0.12 points-per-game common.) Defensively, Liljegren has confirmed to be extra reliable than Brown all through his profession.
Liljegren Higher Depth Choice Than Brown
Whereas it looks as if Brown goes to spend this season within the AHL, he’s probably going to be the primary participant referred to as up within the occasion of any accidents. Nevertheless, he isn’t a strong defender by any means. His analytics show he is without doubt one of the weakest defensive-minded gamers who performed within the NHL final season, and he can be extra of a legal responsibility than a serving to hand if he was referred to as up this season. If Liljegren does develop into out there and the Maple Leafs’ asking worth isn’t excessive, the Oilers ought to look into him.
Liljegren has been considered as somebody with tons of potential however hasn’t grown into what anybody anticipated him to develop into, regardless of his spectacular analytics. His upside coming into the league made him an thrilling prospect and he nonetheless is a strong bottom-pairing defender, however a season of growth on the AHL stage can be supreme for him and he’s already a stronger asset than Brown ought to they want anybody to be referred to as up. Hopefully, the Oilers take a look at the Maple Leafs’ state of affairs as a possible profit for them as they attempt to bolster their defensive depth in hopes of successful their sixth Stanley Cup in franchise historical past.
Because the 2024-25 season approaches, make sure to proceed following The Hockey Writers as your supply for information from across the NHL and the hockey world.
