The Toronto Maple Leafs remain a work in progress. GM Brad Treliving has been open about the club looking to upgrade in any way it can. That has led to rumors and speculation about trades that could be in the pipeline.
One of the most talked-about players on the block is right-shot defenseman Brandon Carlo. The idea would be to swap Carlo for a top-six forward, preferably a bona fide second-line center, who could provide solid depth scoring and support Auston Matthews.
If the Maple Leafs were to move Carlo, it would leave a spot open for a right-shot D. That situation could force Toronto to look around to find a serviceable replacement. So, why not reunite with a former right-shot, first-round pick defenseman? That player is Timothy Liljegren.
The story between the Maple Leafs and Liljegren is a long saga. The club stumbled into Liljegren with the 17th pick in the 2017 draft. Liljegren was considered a top-10 pick at one point, but his stock fell during his draft year.
That situation allowed the Maple Leafs to pluck him in the mid-first round. At one point, Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin looked like the team’s top pair of the future. Unfortunately, things didn’t go quite as expected.
After a tumultuous season last year, the Leafs moved Liljegren to San Jose. The Sharks, meanwhile, now have plenty of defensive prospects in the pipeline. So, they could be willing to let the impending UFA go for a low price.
Liljegren Could Address Maple Leafs’ Need for Blue Line Depth
Adding Liljegren would address the Maple Leafs’ need for blue line depth. That situation, of course, is dependent on a Brandon Carlo trade.
That’s the main sticking point. If the Maple Leafs do not move Brandon Carlo, there’s no need to add Liljegren. But if they do, there would be an open spot. And yes, there are other depth options out there to fill that void.
But the familiarity between Liljegren and the Maple Leafs would allow for a relatively seamless transition. Liljegren could hit the bottom pair with Simon Benoit. However, it would leave questions about who could slide into the top pair with Morgan Rielly.
Yes, the Leafs already tried Liljegren with Morgan Rielly, and it didn’t really work out. Could a year in San Jose helped Liljegren grow into a top-pairing defenseman? Well, he finally got the minutes he wanted to play. And Liljegren didn’t look completely out of place.
So, there’s an argument to be made for Liljegren returning to the Leafs’ lineup. But that argument hinges on Carlo remaining on the club.
Toronto Would Do Well to Hold onto Brandon Carlo
This entire discussion centers on the Toronto Maple Leafs trading Brandon Carlo. It would be ludicrous to think the club may consider moving Carlo this season. Big, defensively solid, right-shot D are extremely hard to find. So, the Leafs would do well to hold onto Carlo.
While it wouldn’t be completely insane to bring back Timothy Liljegren, it might make more sense to wait until he’s a UFA next summer. Depending on how things go with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Liljegren could fill that void. But that’s a discussion for another day.
In the meantime, the Maple Leafs need Brandon Carlo to play with Morgan Rielly this season. Anyone else could be a needless risk for the club.
Maple Leafs Should Reunite with Former 1st-Round Pick