Timothy Liljegren will make his season debut against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, after being rendered a healthy scratch for the opening three games of the year.
Liljegren was usurped by Conor Timmins during the preseason and has been the odd man out for the Maple Leafs. The 25-year-old will likely be paired with Simon Benoit against the Kings and head coach Craig Berube outlined his criteria for Liljegren after Wednesday’s optional morning skate.
“He has ability,” Berube said of Liljegren. “Skating, moving the puck, things like that. He should be a good puck-mover. It’s about managing his game, managing his puck movement and making good decisions with it. Not risky ones. It’s simple, just simplify. And then you’ve got to win your battles. As a defenceman, it’s important that you’re defending well and you’re strong on your net-front and you’re winning those board battles, corner battles. He’s got to do that.”
Liljegren signed a two-year extension worth $3 million annually on June 30 and appeared to be a fixture in the lineup, but he’s adjusting to a new system under Craig Berube, and clearly needs to implement some more physicality into his game to win his coach’s favour. During the 2023-24 campaign, Liljegren registered two goals and 23 points in 55 games.
Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner provided Liljegren with a vote of confidence prior to the optional morning skate Wednesday.
“I’m excited to watch him. Timmy’s been here a long time,” Marner said. “He’s a guy who is (the) same type of way: always calm, cool and collected. And that’s something you like to see out of him. I think he’s taking this as great as you can, obviously every guy wants to be in the lineup as much as you every night. I think he’s doing a good job of working extremely hard in the gym, on the ice, just trying to get better and better when he does get this opportunity to be at his best.”
“I’m excited to watch him tonight, make some awesome plays. He’s done a good job of defending recently and I’m excited to watch him tonight.”
It’s still early in the season but the Maple Leafs’ No. 6 defenceman spot has been an open competition and it’ll be compelling to see how Liljegren’s performance Wednesday factors into his further inclusion in the lineup.
