Toronto Maple Leafs trade defenseman Timothy Liljegren to Pacific division team
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been in the thick of trade speculation since the season began, and now, they've officially moved Timothy Liljegren to San Jose.
Timothy Liljegren has been one of the hottest names on the NHL trade block through the first three weeks of the season, and now, the 25-year old is officially on the move. First broken by TSN's Chris Johnston, it has been announced that the Maple Leafs are sending Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks, and in return they'll receive two draft picks and veteran blue liner Matt Benning in return.
Given the additions of the Maple Leafs on the blue line this summer, there was simply no room for Liljegren, even after he inked a two-year extension to stay in Toronto, with many believing a trade would be imminent. The team also needed to recoup draft capital after some intriguing moves under Brad Treliving, and now, they've got more ammunition for a potential blockbuster down the road.
According to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli, the Maple Leafs will get the earlier of the two draft picks owned by San Jose in the 2025 third-round, with the Sharks owning the picks of Edmonton and Colorado.
In Liljegren, the Sharks will get a talented, offensive-minded defenseman, and given the lack of a path to playing time in Toronto, this was a great landing spot for the former first-round pick. With 23, 18 and 23 points in his three full NHL seasons, Liljegren has shown offensive upside, and if he can produce more with increased playing time, this will end up being a steal for San Jose.
To finish off the trade, the Maple Leafs get 30-year old blue liner Matt Benning, who has just under 500 games of NHL experience thus far, but with a crowded blue line, unless injuries strike, it's highly unlikely that he'll get a major shot at the NHL level with Toronto.
Overall, this was a trade that benefits both teams, as San Jose get a young defenseman that can grow with their young core and potentially become a leader, while Toronto add more ammunition ahead of a huge season by moving a player that simply didn't figure into their plans.
