In the world of hockey, the NHL rumours are always swirling, especially on a Friday. The free agency frenzy may have died down a bit, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still plenty of juicy rumours to sink our teeth into. While many free agents have found new homes, trades are still a possibility this summer. As one insider put it, “Just because a player has signed a new deal doesn’t mean they’re safe from being traded.”
One player who could still be on the trade block is a defenceman from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Timothy Liljegren recently inked a two-year contract with an annual cap hit of $3 million per season. Despite this new deal, there are whispers that he could still find himself on the move. Leafs GM Brad Treliving was reportedly considering a trade before free agency kicked off, but Liljegren’s contract extension on June 30th threw a bit of a wrench in those plans.
Another young Swedish defenceman, Rasmus Sandin, found himself in a similar situation with the Leafs, ultimately being shipped off to the Washington Capitals. Sandin struggled to find consistent ice time in Toronto, but flourished in Washington and secured a lucrative five-year deal worth $4.6 million per season. Liljegren could be eyeing a similar change of scenery if he feels his opportunities with the Leafs are limited.
Toronto is facing some salary cap constraints heading into the upcoming season, and shedding some payroll could be a priority for them. While the Leafs are known for being a cap team, creating some flexibility could allow Treliving to make a move at the trade deadline if needed.
The Maple Leafs made some significant changes to their blueline, adding Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to the mix. Tanev played a key role for the Dallas Stars during their run to the Western Conference Final, while Ekman-Larsson resurrected his career with the Florida Panthers, culminating in a Stanley Cup victory. With these new additions, there may not be as much room for Liljegren to secure a significant role on the team, prompting speculation that he could be looking for a fresh start elsewhere.
As the NHL offseason progresses, the rumours surrounding Liljegren and potential trades will continue to swirl. Only time will tell where the young defenceman will ultimately end up.
