Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Timothy Liljegren To Sharks! | Instant Analysis

[@Martin.Jensen]

Been sitting on this trade update from you for like 30mins. Top notch speed on the upload. He's a good player....

[@GeoT91]

Liljjegren had a lot of potential, he's shown in stints that's he a solid top four puck moving defenceman. I think his lapses are mental, seems to be playing without confidence. I suspect Keefe is largely to blame, he's failed to develop a single young Leaf defenceman that had potential (Dermott, Sandin, Liljegren, Timmins). I'd wager he puts it together in SJ, given an opportunity to play in the top 4 with a bit of rope.

[@stevendchu]

My head canon is that Dermott spinorama giveaway in Montreal game 6 OT broke something inside of Keefe. The Leafs exclusively got tougher, older D-men after that, and almost refused to trust their young guns in the playoffs.

[@jeremyscott8917]

Lilly lost almost every board battle. He wasn't clearing the net front and really wasn't putting up points, it's a good trade

[@infinity-vm4ul]

Think Benning has been any better? At least Lilly wasn’t throwing pizzas in the middle of the slot.

[@Gergentine]

Honestly timmy wasn't a bad player. Just not worth 3m. Seemed like the kind of guy that just lacked serious confidence. When he played instinctively he was good. Problem was it didn't happen often.

[@jonathanstewart5269]

Pretty tough to say Liljegren "got his shot" under Berube. Maybe the same way Willy got an actual shot at centre. I feel bad for him. Every time he actually took a step forward he got hurt. Last time he just never got his game back. This year you could tell his confidence was shot, even in his limited minutes.

[@chamber32doors]

Liljegren stunk in the playoffs and was constantly scratched when it mattered most. Horrible in front of the net, horrible along the boards, slow with decision making. He's best when there's lots of room on the ice and that rarely happens in the playoffs.

[@sswartztoronto]

I believe Keefe was his coach on the Marlies when they won the cup....

[@gabrielrockman]

As a Washington Capitals fan, it reminds me of the Rasmus Sandin trade. But I think that Washington did better in acquiring Sandin than San Jose has done in acquiring Liljegren. Still both good trades made by teams at the expense of the Leafs who don't seem to do a good job developing defensemen.

[@stevendchu]

Remember back whenwe thought we had our D-core (Lily, Sandin, Dermott) set for years??? Oh to be in 2018 and naively hopeful again

[@Shik0njuul934]

Sandin is pretty good.

[@NickArcieri]

March 3, 2025…Sharks visit the Leafs and Liljegren bags a hat trick

[@abe1996]

How much money are you willing to put on that? I don't think the guy has scored a hat trick at any level 😂

[@stangsswang8355]

@@abe1996 he won't get 3 shots

[@phreak811]

I like it. Help Lilly out by putting him in a situation where he KNOWS he's getting Ice Time, Leafs clear cap and can burry Benning in the Minors. This is one of those trades that both teams come out of looking pretty damn good.

[@jakebuck469]

Let’s go was waiting for this to drop!

[@manky2895]

Finally, we've been waiting steve

[@SchnebsGarage]

Best possible outcome I suppose but that contract will baffle me for a long time.

[@crbrearley]

His "metrics" were great and he might have gotten much more in arbitration. Yah, I know. But I don't think they really had a good choice. Five million for one year would not be better.

[@TracerQQ]

IIRC if it went to arbitration, it's untradeable for a year. They got more for him than if they'd let him walk. So basically this was asset management

[@stevendchu]

Considering Edmunson, Boosh and Brodie all got +3 mil/per yr while being on the wrong side of their primes, I didn't think Liljegren's contract was that bad.

[@stephenphillips6245]

3 million is the new 1.5 million contract, Unfortunately...LoL

[@alchemical.fitness]

Was watching one trade analysis but got notified for the best.

[@BlueDragon407]

Been waiting for this!

[@LonewolfJesseJames506]

Good Luck in San Jose Lilly! It's a damn shame it didn't work out in Toronto. I hope he does well out there. He's gonna get lots of ice time to prove himself I'm sure. I like this trade for both teams. I didn't expect the Leafs to get back two draft picks and a top 6 Dman..but I think they'll still have to clear some cap in order to activate the players from LTIR 🤔 Not sure, but good work Tre 👏 Go Leafs Go!

[@randallwillis5662]

Think Liljegren may have been the last of the Champion Marlies players to wear the Leaf with the Buds... all gone now

[@duanepatterson6801]

Good trade for both sides possibly. Leaf's always need cap space and he didn't fit in with this team plus got some assets to use. Shark's get a younger defense with upside on a rebuilding team. Good gamble for them. Good for him as well as he will get a chance to kickstart his career.

[@davitong]

The Sharks tried Erik Karlsson but didn't pan out. Hope Liljegren followed through with what was expected of Karlsson.

[@owowowiemybones]

He was a consensus 3rd overall behind Patrick and Hischier at the start of his draft yr

[@NOSSCARSeriesRacing]

Good trade for both teams. And, it should be noted that Benning struggled to be a Top-6 d-man on San Jose. He has been benched and healthy scratched a lot in the first 10 games so far this season. And, given the least amount of ice time amongst the 6 d-men when he does play. Our expectations of Benning on the Leafs shouldn't be too high.

[@DPSARAUJO]

I thought Lilly was ok.

[@darcys842]

He is, but on the current leafs d he doesn't have a spot. He and timmens have played about the same level this year, and he is worth 2 mil more this year, so it just becomes not worth it. I doubt he was happy sitting and the management werent happy with his cap hit. He will have better opportunities on san jose and i hope he does good there.

[@stangsswang8355]

Nope.

[@SchnebsGarage]

Oh how much ya wanna bet Matt Bennings hip is acting up... .LTIR anyone?

[@stangsswang8355]

Whatever,,,the 3rd rounder gets flipped at the deadline

[@squarebie]

Good trade. Surprised to see a player coming back. Maybe Benning will be a part of a Robertson trade.

[@EmitRelevart]

I don't understand why you're always hating on Connor Timmins, I like him.

[@JosephRuberto]

I still want an interview where Treliving explains his thought process behind Liljegren's raise Wish him the best and I hope he becomes a regular NHLer, but I'm glad we got a decent return and got rid of his cap hit

[@wizzerwiser2056]

Same reason why Dubas gave Marner a big contract when he was an RFA. Didn't want to repeat the Nylander scenario. Tree didn't want to go through the arbitration bullshit with Timmy the same as he did with Samsanov.

[@JohnCherry69]

he was re-signed the day before free agency and could have gotten more in arbitration. my crystal ball couldn't tell me I would be able to sign OEL, Myers, Mermis and Pare in the following days. the fact that they stacked training camp for competition to get on the team and Lilly just showed up thinking he was a shoo in was enough to put him on the trade block

[@josephstalin4906]

At least Liljegren now has a chance to save his career leaving the blue cemetery unlike Mathews, Marner, Tavares and others who were dumb enough to sign for this laughing stock of a club and waste their careers winning absolutely nothing.

[@paulthompson8793]

With the SHARKS? haaaaaaaaaahahahaha , ok bud sure.

[@lukewoodworth2101]

I wish it worked with Liljegren. Kinda sucks following and cheering for a young player for 7 seasons to see it end like this. Thanks lily pad

[@bponcho414]

Can we stop saying washed up D like Benning are better than Timmins now? I don't understand why you have this huge blind spot and write him off so quickly. You all clearly don't watch him. 13:30 THATS LITERSLLY TIMMINS YOU BABOON

[@keithmcguire3551]

I’ve been waiting along time to see this happen!!!❤

[@glennanderson8981]

Good luck to Timothy, was not playing here.

[@Triple87]

Welp, mark March 3rd 2025 on the calendar people. Sharks are going to win, and he’s going to score a goal. ☠️

[@InsignificantNick]

I think Adam said it on the pod today, but whether Liljegren finds his game in SJ or not, just remember that he stunk in Toronto.

[@amanasd26]

lol that isn't a good defense of Toronto

[@asharpbflat7179]

They say that about all players leaving Toronto. They gotta say it. They know they're lying.

[@ADragonNamedSpyro]

Decent trade, But TML has butchered all defensive prospects by not moving off of "their guys" and letting the younger players have legitimate options

[@sharkhaos_probably]

We will take care of him don't worry Steve

[@stangsswang8355]

Incredibly inconsistent,,,,Lacks intensity,,,Disappears in rough games

[@terrpeters7371]

An era wasted

[@tonykung8756]

Any time you sell off a former 1st round pick who's still young for some magic beans, it's a move to salvage your loss. If he sucked that bad, why would the Leafs pay him $3mil/year on a multi-year deal...?

[@chamber32doors]

They paid him because he's an asset and they made the right choice. They cashed in on whatever his value is.

[@stangsswang8355]

@@chamber32doors Yep,,,and you're flippin' the picks at the deadline for depth for the playoffs

[@maximillianmueller8946]

Watching the Professor Hockey Video now for the Sharks fan viewpoint

[@wadedevinney9681]

Wow, Leafs won this trade

[@DarkLobster69]

Damn man, give it a few years. He’s a 25 year old, former first round pick defenseman, who has had good stretches, but not enough consistency.

[@brandonburgess1990]

​@@DarkLobster69Yeah! Give it a few years on another team! He is a bum 3M for a guy not even playing 😂

[@wandregisel6385]

We didn't need him, we got good value for him, while SJ seems to think they can use him. Sounds like both sides stand to win

[@Qmocean]

​@DarkLobster69 like, at the very least wait until we know what we are going to do with those picks. That 3rd could provide great value as it will be and early 3rd rd pick. Good player or trade chip. Or it could be wasted on a bust.

[@frederikgauthier3594]

@@brandonburgess1990as a leafs fan, he will probably thrive in San Jose with the opportunity he will get. He will have success and become a top 2 dman with them similar to Vince Dunn in Seattle. Then he will win the cup when celebrini, Will smith, eklund all rise to the level they were drafted to be in san jose

[@joshuadisotell1388]

From trade rumors this players on leafs may get traded F Nicholas Robertson and RD Conner Timmins and F David Kampf and F Pontus Holmberg

[@beofonemind]

I bet he'll do much better if he plays more. Good luck in SJ Timothy.

[@imthebeatplug_8319]

We'll take good care of him

[@paulthompson8793]

But he's also going to a much worse team, I doubt things will get better lol

[@bkni_]

I am shocked! Shocked! Well not that shocked.

[@MrJadude]

Lili is an indictment on the leafs development camp ... they havnt produced good dmen ...like 1 top4 guy in 20 years ? Like cmon

[@joshbittner]

At 25, he kinda is who he’s gonna be as a player. Maybe he gets more ice time and looks a little better in San Jose or some trash tier team like the Sabres in a couple years since they need NHL caliber players to fill out a tank roster, but a 5-6 is likely all he’ll ever be on an average roster, and a 7-8 on a team that actually contends for the Cup

[@ClartonTheBear]

Steve, you are the best!

[@steadyrhythms9571]

as a stars fan, i find it absolutely hilarious that the maple leafs brass thought a one-legged jani hakanpaa is a better asset than a home-grown puck-moving RHD... you know, something the leafs could actually probably use more of to generate more offense instead of a guy who's big but doesn't use that big to actually do anything, has 0 offensive intuition, and has a fraudulent reputation of being a strong PKer mainly because he PKed next to esa lindell whom has been elite once again with hakanpaa's absence. enjoy the hakanpaa experience toronto. i have never yelled at a player more.

[@stevendchu]

It's all Treliving. The guy clearly has a hard on for big D (no pun intended) It's why he took a gamble on Klingberg last summer despite him being more cooked than a well done steak. It's also why we couldn't generate much on offence during the playoffs, Edmundson and Benoit treated the puck like a grenade so there were never any rush chances or clean breakouts.

[@TheRichestOfCreams]

Good luck to TL. Based on history, he’ll be a top pairing, Stanley cup champion in about 3 years 😂😂

[@uncleike6211]

"Sheldon, why would you start your worst defenceman in a building you know was going to be this loud..?" "Who was our worst defenceman?" "Justin Holl." "That's your opinion, I guess."

[@chamber32doors]

Justin Holl was horrible but at least he'd accidentally block a shot once in awhile.

[@matthewkilbride1669]

Seems low risk high reward for San Jose

[@paulthompson8793]

Eh, low risk for mid reward maybe, depends if he finds his game again or just does what he has been doing with the leafs, just on a much worse team.

[@Outta-hz1ej]

I find it strange how people are acting like 25 is still young. He was drafted 7 years ago and barely plays. He is a depriciating asset.

[@montekristo5048]

Good trade because Lily pad is too soft, and his offense hasn't really improved, and you can't rely on his defense.

[@BradenYG]

A fresh start is what he needed sorry guys he did not work out in Toronto

[@infinity-vm4ul]

Benning has been mostly a liability for the sharks and Lilijagren has not worked great in Toronto either. Both players need a change in scenery. The third kinda hurts for the sharks but its the price they pay for getting a younger player with a higher ceiling. I think this is a potential win/win for both teams.

[@paulthompson8793]

Bennings wont be seeing action in Toronto unless things go really wrong. Lily has probably seen his ceiling already, but he's a warm body so I'm sure the sharks don't mind.

[@vincentalvarado7058]

As a Sharks fan, Benning was the Sharks worst defender. He ended up getting scratched for prospect Jack Thompson who has effectively taken his spot.

[@safejewel2072]

I don’t see a scenario where a team would pay more for Liljegren. Doesn’t mean that the Leafs “won” this trade, but I think this is the best case scenario for the Leafs. If Liljegren starts popping off in San Jose I still wouldn’t mind this trade, he hasn’t done enough for the team.

[@alexdockrill]

Thank god

[@JoltingZ]

To activate Hakanpaa and Jarnkrok off of the Injury reserve. Based on money two guys would need to be waived. (Hello Matt Benning) and Phillipe Myers.

[@montekristo5048]

Timmins brings more upside because of his offensive abilities and his size, plus the cheaper salary

[@paulmatts2015]

Never forget the Toronto Maple Leafs know the location of the Lazarus Pit.

[@slystar6418]

I'd say its 50/50 both teams got a good trade. Sharks have amazing prospects already. Looking for a little spark I guess. Good on em!

[@ThatBlairDude27]

Interesting news

[@TheUtube53]

Detroit had to give SJ a #2 and Jake Walman in exchange for basically nothing. Walman is now a top pair in SJ. Consider yourself lucky that you didn’t have to give SJ a draft pick(s) to dump Liljagren’s salary. But by the same token, Steve Yzerman sucks.

[@uhohDavinci]

Liljegren was +38 in less than 200 NHL games, on a leafs team that wasn't exactly known for its defense..

[@BurtTurbo]

have you looked at many defensive zone face-offs he was on for? The guy was sheltered.

[@powwowken2760]

The Leafs have always been awful at developing talent. It's easy to forget with guys like Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Rielly all playing major roles, but they're also all quality top 10 picks who would've succeeded anywhere they ended up. Once you start looking outside the obvious you quickly start to realize that almost every promising prospect never achieves much until they leave Toronto.

[@Krokodilius]

guy who never played for picks and a guy who will never play, meh meh meh all around.

[@stangsswang8355]

clears cap space and the picks get moved at the deadline for depth

[@danaoconnor9523]

If Hunter was still with the Leafs when the Lijegren pick was made, he would have taken Robert Thomas instead.

[@GianniVitucci]

They just keep adding to the cap space. 3M +11M Tavares +11M Marner end of year. 25M rebuild with Matthews and Nylander for foreseeable future

[@profdave2861]

They’d be crazy to let Marner go. Toronto fans love to hate.

[@Rain.34.89]

@@profdave2861 Gotta stop this failed cap model. Can’t win spending all the money on three forwards who don’t show up in the playoffs.

[@deltagolavista1]

I'm surprised they were able to unload him without having to give up an asset, but I guess taking back Benning evens that out. Looking at it from a SJ point of view, their right side was Ceci / Rutta / Benning and 22 year old Jack Thompson who's playing on the left? Does Lilly push Rutta down and he slides next to Ferraro? Or do the Sharks go scorched earth and play him top pair minutes with Walman pushing Ceci down? I don't see Lilly slotting next to a developing rookie in Thomas.

[@ianhall6614]

I hope he pushes Rutta down, although Warsofsky seems to love the hard play no puck movement of Rutta and Ferraro. But neither guy can pass a puck, let alone shoot it

[@DanRaidersWarriorsSharksGiants]

Tim is going to be a sharks legend

[@DanRaidersWarriorsSharksGiants]

My comment is a joke I hope comes true.

[@doobymaster6997]

Just a note Steve. Saw you at Generals game and after at BONDST event centre after with Jacob Oster last weekend. Wanted to get my “Hockey Rants and Raves” signed, but you were mobbed for signings and photos. It was too late for me to stay. Maybe will hook up again for a signing………

[@DrowzyDan]

I like the trade. Wish him well in the real NHL!

[@mitcharmstrong8327]

i’m loving the random pieces the sharks are getting for virtually free. he’ll get time here and he makes us better, which is fab sharks weren’t supposed to be better until next season anyway

[@DarkLobster69]

Absolutely. 25 year old, former first round pick RHD, for just a third, sixth, and old depth defenseman is tidy business. Perfect change of scenery acquisition.

[@chamber32doors]

@@DarkLobster69 He's good in wide open ice, that's about it.

[@rmg110]

Not sure if his game will improve but his tan should.

[@DOA13]

Obviously liligren is going to become a superstar in SJ it’s always the same story with the leafs

[@Droz75]

Liljegren had zero violence in his game.

[@murraymcfadyen5462]

Pic up a guy who can come in if defence gets hurt and needs to get in better game shape

[@emmers9698]

Sharks fan first and leafs enjoyer. I think TOR wins the trade for sure but mostly for the draft capital. Matt Benning was losing his spot to a rookie Jack Thompson that no one saw making the team before camp. Sharks are betting on a guy with some potential, I like it a lot more than Benning doing absolutely nothing for us

[@ianhall6614]

I think both teams win, Toronto gets cap space, San Jose off loads a player that likely wouldn't even get claimed on waivers and adds a top 4 defensemen. Yes, average is top 4, almost top pairing in San Jose lol

[@paulthompson8793]

@@ianhall6614 Just don't expect much, the guy is soft and makes bad defensive choices often, I'm sure playing on the sharks will expose this quite a bit.

[@Matt.d13]

Leafs Fleeced the sharks on that trade.

[@TylrVncnt]

Time will tell

[@ianhall6614]

Benning is an AHLer

[@paulthompson8793]

@@ianhall6614 That's the point, Leafs wanted cap space and they got it with 2 picks AND an asset that they can dump in the ahl.

[@nicholasciviero7289]

Little off topic, but where's the Marlie minute host? Should return for some LFRs.

[@steveciancone8941]

Liljegren is going off for 45 points 😂

[@chamber32doors]

45 points and -60

[@ethanbortner]

My Reaction: Eh okay

[@TheUnknownTwister]

Trade is probably a solid D-

[@MarioP-du5zd]

Great, Jarncrock is next and Holmberg gets sent down.

[@futuresequence.]

I want to know if he wasn't being played so he could be protected before bring traded or if Berube just liked Timmins game more.

[@-phenom-]

The Leafs are a mess. I have no idea what they are doing. They need to move Marner and develop an identity. Tre is turning the Leafs into the Flames.

[@wizzerwiser2056]

He's handcuffed with NTCs

[@ctsg15]

The 2026 6th rounder will be a hall of famer

[@keithbevins6688]

This might be your best "non-scoop" of the entire 2025/2026 season. Oh... wait there will be the Nick off-load. Then that will be your best "non-scoop" of the season.... hopefully just after January 1st 2025.

[@dkg8985]

I thought with guys about to come off LTIR that the Leafs needed to not only free up cap space but also 2 roster slots so the Matt Benning addition is confusing to me.

[@stangsswang8355]

They'll find something wrong with his hip in the short term. They still have to move Jarnkrok and Robertson.

[@dolandarkxgrandayy6953]

It was time

[@stephenphillips6245]

Lilly can round out to put up 40.points a year.

[@austinroyal3538]

Lybush however you spell it has never been a Hurricane lmao

[@RobertSmith-bn3zw]

robertson next, get on it. then kampf and holmberg

[@stangsswang8355]

and Jarnkrok

[@phils6733]

Steve’s bed time stories…

[@shawnmartin5201]

Now leafs need to move Robertson

[@geebster.]

Good trade but I wonder what they will do with the money room

[@Darwin00769]

Liljegren gonna get a hatty against the leafs 💀

[@nezzy70]

another player ruined by keefe

[@HKgaming86]

Liljegren about to be a cup contender

[@shawnmartin5201]

Lol not with SJ . If Erik couldn't help them get there lily ain't doing it either

[@late3619]

So he plays like Rielly but is paid less than half the money

[@philbegnone6646]

Does this guarantee lilly scores at least 1 goal for the sharks? It seems all ex leafs play well against them