The Toronto Maple Leafs traded defenseman Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks on October 30.
Liljegren, who had been benched at the start of the season, was allowed to explore trade options, ultimately leading to his move to San Jose. In return, Toronto received defenseman Matt Benning, a 2025 third-round draft pick, and a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Trade Details:
Maple Leafs acquired:
– Matt Benning
– 2025 third-round pick
– 2026 sixth-round pick
Sharks acquired:
– Timothy Liljegren
The third-round pick will be whichever is earlier between Edmonton’s and Colorado’s selections, while the sixth-round pick is San Jose’s own.
Benning, 30, has played seven games with the Sharks this season, scoring no points. Across his NHL career, he has appeared in 464 games, scoring 17 goals and tallying 85 assists for 102 points. He may serve as a depth defenseman for Toronto and could be sent to the AHL.
Liljegren, selected 17th overall by Toronto in the 2017 NHL draft, signed a two-year, $6 million contract this offseason. However, he fell out of favor and was scratched from the lineup. He has played 197 NHL games with 14 goals and 51 assists, totaling 65 points.
Maple Leafs Coach Wanted More from Liljegren
Toronto’s new head coach, Craig Berube, took a critical stance on Liljegren during training camp, resulting in the player’s limited ice time. Berube felt Liljegren needed to play with more speed and toughness, simplify his game, and improve his defensive plays.
Liljegren ended up appearing in just one game this season. Speaking to the media before the trade, he shared that he was focused on staying prepared, saying, “I’ve just tried to come in every day and stay ready… My focus is here.” He added that he believes he hasn’t yet reached his full potential in the NHL.
Sharks’ Turnaround
The Sharks began the season with nine straight losses, going 0-7-2. They recently broke the streak with two consecutive wins, and head coach Ryan Warsofsky expressed pride in the team’s recent efforts. Adding Liljegren gives San Jose a new asset to bolster their blue line as they look to build on this momentum.
