AHL prospect Liljegren shooting for top-six role on Leafs defence
Comfort and confidence have put Timothy Liljegren in an optimistic frame of mind as the defenceman looks ahead to the 2020-21 hockey season.
The X factor, of course, is not knowing when he’ll take his next on-ice stride in the Maple Leafs organization.
“It’s going pretty good. Just trying to stay in shape as much as I can,” Liljegren said from his off-season home in Sweden. “But it’s weird. Usually there are different steps in the summer workout, but now, you don’t really know when things are going to start up again.”
All the while, Liljegren, who said he’s been on the ice “a couple of times” in Sweden, where they didn’t impose a restrictive lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic similar to what we’ve experienced in North America, has a fairly simple goal.
During a conference call last week with reporters, Leafs assistant general manager Laurence Gilman, who also serves as the Toronto Marlies’ general manager, said he would “be surprised” if Liljegren isn’t among the top seven or eight defencemen with the Leafs next season.
Liljegren has a desire to go one better.
“For sure, my goal is to get into the top six,” Liljegren said. “I played three years in the AHL and I had 11 games (with the Leafs) this year, so I think the next step would be to try to crack the roster full-time.”
After making his NHL debut on Jan. 18 against the Chicago Blackhawks — and becoming the answer to a trivia question as he became the 1,000th player in Leafs franchise history — Liljegren participated in the 2020 AHL all-star game before getting recalled by the Leafs, playing in eight games in February and two more in March.
In those 11 games with the Leafs, there were some bumps, which was to be expected. Liljegren was on the ice for eight goals against during five-on-five play against just three goals for, while averaging 10 minutes, 18 seconds of ice time
But the man behind the
Leafs’ bench, Sheldon Keefe, was instrumental in Liljegren’s growth with the Marlies. Keefe’s guidance with the farm club, as well as that of the assistant coaches, created discipline in Liljegren’s game.
“He has taught me to play through structure, but still be creative within that structure,” Liljegren said.
“I’ve learned when to calculate the risks of being creative and choosing the right time to do certain things.
“Just the fact that he’s seen me play for three years is good for him and me. He knows what I can develop, and I know what I can do when he’s coaching.
“He helped me a lot with the transition to the NHL.”
Liljegren indicated he would be part of the Leafs’ group of Black Aces when, or if, the 2019-20 regular season or playoffs are resumed.
In the event there’s no conclusion to the 2019-20 campaign and we don’t see NHL hockey again until the start of the 202021 season, whenever that might be, Liljegren would be just one of two right-shooting defencemen (as of today) in the Leafs’ mix, along with Justin Holl.
Neither Tyson Barrie nor Cody Ceci, both righties, are expected to re-sign with Toronto in free agency. Recently signed Mikko Lehtonen, who shoots left, said he would be comfortable on the right side.
Liljegren doesn’t necessarily see a lack of right-handed shots on the Leafs’ blue-line as an advantage in his favour.
“I think every team wants a right-hand defenceman on the right side, but if there’s a player who is better than you, you’re not going to play,” Liljegren said.
“It matters a bit, but you still have to be better than the next guy.”
If Liljegren, who turned 21 on April 30, does become a regular with the Leafs in 2020-21, he would join six other recent Toronto first-round picks in the lineup, including Morgan Rielly, Frederik Gauthier (assuming he’s still with the Leafs), William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and Rasmus Sandin.