Liljegren: 25 years old, 196 games played regular season, 13 playoff games, 3Mx2
Tied for 90th in scoring for defensemen with 23 points in 55 games.
58th overall in P/60 all situations.
45th overall in PPP%
98th overall in ESP/60
102 overall in TOI
81st overall in hits
79th overall in blocked shots
168th overall in SH TOI
59th overall in PP TOI
xGoals % with his three most common partners...59%
Player xxx: 26 years old, 475 games played reg season, 60 playoff games, 5Mx3 left on 7 yr deal
Tied for 114th in scoring with 18 points in 59 games.
115th overall in P/60 all situations
107th overall in PPP%
83rd overall ESP/60
110th overall in TOI
104th in hits
122nd in blocked shots
104th in SH TOI
99th in PP TOI
xGoals % with his three most common partners...55%
These are last season's numbers. I think they are quite comparable. Neither outstanding, but solidly in lower 2nd pair consideration, and unquestionably worthy of 3rd pairing time. One had as his most frequent partner a fella by the name of Josh Manson, the other Mark Giordano.
Player xxx is Sam Girard.
Of course there are other aspects of any player to consider, but Liljegren isn't as bad as some paint him to be. Partnered with: McCabe, Gio and Brodie those pairing all outscored the number of pucks that entered the Leafs net. It was with Rielly and Benoit where the difficulties raised their head and the Leafs were outscored during those pairing's minutes.
With Tanev in the fold and expected to bolster Rielly's pairing, I'd pair Liljegren with McCabe, their numbers together are good, and with a new coach who may be more patient than was Keefe, I'd finally like to see what we have with TL.