After all, Timothy Liljegren is staying with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It appeared that Liljegren might not return to the Leafs as arbitration loomed this summer. There was even speculation that a trade could be finalized over the weekend as the NHL community gathered in Las Vegas for the NHL Draft.
In the end, the Leafs agreed to a two-year contract with the 25-year-old with a $3 million cap hit.
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Timothy Liljegren’s time with the Maple Leafs could be coming to an end
Liljegren would have been eligible for arbitration had he entered restricted free agency, a possibility that influenced negotiations and ultimately the deal. The Leafs feared Liljegren could receive an arbitration award with a larger salary cap hit than his new contract would impose.
They avoided that possibility and now head into unrestricted free agency with certainty about Liljegren’s number. The deal will lead Liljegren to unrestricted free agency in 2026.
At that point, though, the Leafs should have a better idea of what exactly they have in Liljegren if he’s finally developed into a true top-four defenseman. Otherwise, the Leafs can walk away and Liljegren can pursue his career elsewhere.
It’s possible he could have moved on earlier despite signing this deal. Liljegren’s new contract has zero protection against trade, according to the source.
Brad Treliving’s management isn’t exactly enamored of Liljegren, at least not yet.
Maybe that will change if Liljegren stays and takes more opportunities under new Leafs coach Craig Berube. It’s possible Liljegren takes a more prominent position on the power play next season and/or gets a shot at some point in the top four and eventually breaks out.
That didn’t happen during Liljegren’s first three NHL seasons playing for former Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe.
The Leafs would be wise to at least leave themselves open to Liljegren (potentially) blossoming for a little longer.
How the Leafs proceed in free agency will influence what kind of role Liljegren has next season and perhaps whether he sticks around. At worst, he’s a lock if they can’t attract multiple defensemen on the right side and/or a veteran depth defenseman like, say, Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
At this price, Liljegren should be a more attractive trade asset for the next two seasons.
It’s a significant pay raise for the 2017 first-round pick, who just completed a two-year contract with a $1.4 million cap hit.
If you make a jump, the increase will be worth it.
The Leafs were very busy on Sunday ahead of free agency. They also signed forward Max Domi to a four-year contract with a cap hit of $3.75 million.
(Photo: Mark Blinch / NHLI via /Keynote USA/Getty Images)
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