4 Potential Commerce Matches For Maple Leafs' Timothy Liljegren

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a logjam on protection, so Timothy Liljegren grew to become the staff’s newest matter of commerce hypothesis.

Regardless of having a wage of $3 million per season, the 25-year-old Liljegren has been a wholesome scratch via Toronto’s first three video games. Though it is trying seemingly he’ll play on Wednesday, he may develop into a commerce asset if Leafs GM Brad Treliving finds the precise transfer.

Related: What Does The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Future Hold With Marner, Tavares, McCabe And Liljegren?

That stated, the place is Liljegren prone to be dealt? We’ve acquired 4 NHL groups that stand out as potential locations for the Swedish D-man. Wage data is in accordance with PuckPedia.

Anaheim Geese

The Geese are properly right into a full roster rebuild, and Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek amassed greater than $20.3 million in wage cap house to make in-season additions to enhance the brief time period and long run.

Whereas the Geese presently have two right-shot defensemen who’re presumably forward of Liljegren on the depth chart, Anaheim may slot in Liljegren on the third protection pair. Left-shot Brian Dumoulin is presently on the precise facet on a pairing with Pavel Mintyukov, and captain Radko Gudas is on the third pair, however Liljegren can play a depth position after which get constant ice time if the Geese commerce Cam Fowler.

If it doesn’t work out with the Geese, Liljegren could be flipped to a different vacation spot or allowed to play out his present contract, which expires on the finish of subsequent season. However taking part in in a smaller hockey market like Anaheim could possibly be simply what the physician ordered for Liljegren, and the Geese wouldn’t have to surrender a lot to land his providers. Anaheim has draft capital, and releasing cap house may assist the Leafs add by the commerce deadline.

San Jose Sharks

Just like the Geese, the Sharks are within the early phases of a full rebuild, however San Jose has $7.46 million in cap house – greater than sufficient to accumulate Liljegren with out shifting cash out.

Extra importantly, the Sharks have all types of alternatives on the right side of their protection corps, with Matt Benning, Jan Rutta and Codi Ceci all not less than 30 years previous and never gamers who’d be top-tier blueliners on a reputable Cup contender.

San Jose’s aggressive window to win is barely open, giving Liljegren loads of time to proceed growing right into a bona fide NHL D-man. He’d even be out of the glare and microscope that include being in a hockey-mad market. Liljegren remains to be younger sufficient to be a part of San Jose’s long-term plans, and as long as his contract calls for aren’t overly costly, he can get what more than likely would be the greatest alternative he can get in hockey’s high league as a member of the Sharks.

St. Louis Blues

The Blues need to make the playoffs, so Liljegren can be anticipated to return in and contribute straight away. However St. Louis has $5.22 million in cap house, and he’d be the third-best right-shot option on the again finish for the staff.

With veteran Torey Krug on the shelf for the season, St. Louis has extra alternatives for somebody like Liljegren to benefit from. It’s unlikely that Liljegren will vault over right-shot D-men Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk, but when he could be an efficient third-pair D-man, the Blues will probably be thrilled to surrender a mid-round draft choose or first rate prospect that can make the deal viable for Toronto. And for the Blues, which reportedly had curiosity in Fowler from Anaheim, including Liljegren to enhance the precise facet nonetheless leaves some cap house to improve on the left facet if essential.

Liljegren could have a greater probability to carve out a long-term spot with St, Louis, and he’s not costly sufficient to be out of attain for Blues GM Doug Armstrong. A cope with St. Louis simply may work for the Leafs, however it might take a number of weeks for the Blues to be ready to step up and add a comparatively younger athlete to the combo.

Related: NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On Two Potential Ducks Trade Candidates And Panthers’ Bennett

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers are the longest shot to land Liljegren on this listing, as they’ve already acquired two right-handed ‘D’ on the third pair, so Liljegren may wind up being in the identical scenario as he is in with Toronto. But when Philadelphia decides to maneuver Rasmus Ristolainen – and that kind of transfer may require Philly to retain a few of Ristolainen’s $5.1-million wage for the following three years – Liljegren could jump into the Flyers’ top-six and stick round for the lengthy haul.

Liljegren may should play on the left facet in Philadelphia, however he’d not less than have an opportunity to play each night time there. He doesn’t have that luxurious now in Leafs Land, however Liljegren would seemingly welcome the chance to thrive in a market that loves its hockey.

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