TORONTO — It’s for the best.
For all parties involved.
As tough a look as it is that the Toronto Maple Leafs have been unable to draft and develop defencemen who stick with the organization and rise to everyday status, the time had come to trade Timothy Liljegren.
Much like Rasmus Sandin or Travis Dermott before him, Liljegren needed a fresh start, as the Maple Leafs’ confidence in the player had dwindled severely.
A subpar training camp led to the 25-year-old getting healthy scratched in nine of Toronto’s first 10 games under Craig Berube.
Not nearly big or rugged enough for the brand of hockey the new coach or newish GM, Brad Treliving, wants from their blue line, Liljegren had been surpassed on the depth chart by Simon Benoit, Conor Timmins, Philippe Myers, and — when healthy — the ginormous Jani Hakanpää.
“We’re competitive and we want to play, obviously,” Liljegren told reporters (via David Alter) after his final practice as a Leaf.
“So, it’s a battle mentally to stay positive, but that’s what I’m going to do.”
On Wednesday evening, Liljegren got his mental relief, while the Maple Leafs got some financial relief.
Liljegren, who was Toronto’s first-round pick in 2017, was dealt to the rebuilding San Jose Sharks in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, San Jose’s own sixth-round selection in 2026, plus journeyman defenceman Matt Benning.
Because San Jose holds two 2025 third-rounders (Edmonton’s and Colorado’s), Toronto will receive the earlier selection as part of this deal.
The why is clear.
Despite putting up decent underlying and traditional numbers (65 points in 197 career games) and curing his stick the desirable way, the puck-moving Liljegren routinely found himself in the press box come playoff time once the club went out and rented nastier, more trusted D-men who could fill a specific role: block shots, kill penalties, stuff cycles.
From San Jose’s perspective, cap space — and thus Liljegren’s $3 million cap hit through 2025-26 — isn’t an issue. That Toronto already cut a cheque to Liljegren for $2.4 million on July 1 lessens the actual dollars the Sharks must pay.
The Maple Leafs, who considered not qualifying Liljegren in June, salvage a stagnant asset and clear a needed roster slot. They could flip the third-round pick at the deadline for immediate help or begin to restock their depleted prospect system.
The Sharks take a worthwhile flyer on an affordable righty whose best hockey should still lie ahead. A guy who, when confident, can move a puck and contribute on a power play. Plus, the last thing this 2-7-2 team with attendance woes needs is extra picks; they need to dress NHLers.
Why now?
Well, Utah’s trade of a third-rounder for Detroit defenceman Olli Maatta Tuesday set the market.
And, more importantly, Toronto’s Hakanpää and forward Connor Dewar are nearing full health and eligible to come off LTIR as early as Friday. They needed Treliving to clear cap space and roster slots to be activated.
The 30-year-old Benning is a big righty (6-foot-1, 203 pounds) who brings some playoff experience and can provide veteran depth.
Certainly, this trade is wonderful news for Liljegren, who — much like his pal Sandin — will be gifted with ice time and opportunity away from the glare of big-market scrutiny or win-now pressure.
And while the deal signals yet another failed defence project in Toronto, it is a fair and necessary solution to a roster crunched with players more suited to the current Maple Leafs identity.
