The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to a 2-1-0 start to the season as defenceman Timothy Liljegren has been watching all three games from the press box.
The former first-round pick has yet to suit up for the Maple Leafs, as head coach Craig Berube has dressed Conor Timmins in each of Toronto’s first three matchups instead. Berube wasn’t thrilled with how Liljegren performed during training camp, and wanted the right-handed defenceman to work on a number of things, before he was going to give him a chance to prove himself in the Leafs’ lineup.
Berube met with the media on Monday and indicated that Liljegren could play Wednesday, when the Leafs host the Los Angeles Kings.
“I think he’s been practicing well. I’ve talked to him a little bit ago and I think his practice is even better. More intensity. Doing things quicker. Chance is he’ll play on Wednesday,” Berube said via David Alter of The Hockey News.
Liljegren saw time at practice on Toronto’s bottom pair, alongside Simon Benoit. From all accounts, it does appear Liljegren’s going to be given his chance Wednesday to prove himself to his new coaching staff.
In three games so far, Timmins has one assist, and has averaged 15:20 of ice-time per contest. Benoit is also off to a somewhat slow start, with zero points in three games and eight penalty minutes. Timmins and Benoit have played heavy minutes on the penalty kill early on, which is an area Liljegren has some experience in, and he could see some time on the second unit. Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe have been the first two defensemen called upon for PK1.
Liljegren entered the year with a brand new two-year extension, worth $3 million annually, receiving a hefty raise. That didn’t sway Berube to place Liljegren in the starting lineup, but he could be getting his first chance of the year on Wednesday.
