Confirmed with Link: Leafs Trade: Liljegren to San Jose for Matt Benning, 3rd and 6th

[The Shadow]

I think we got lucky to move him. I wish him well and great success. It was time

 

[darrylsittler27]

Remember this comment you made my friend

Why? The situation is the situation. He didn't fit, we need picks and San Jose won't win a cup. Sure a new environment may help but it wasn't going to be here and we need another C. You don't pay 3 million to a guy the coach won't play. He maybe the next Stralman but he wasn't going to help us win a cup. Go look at the 2017 draft..it's hellabad. Most drafts he is a second rounder. He may even told them..trade me.

 

[Maple Leaf]

I'm going to call a spade a spade: Berube came in with fresh eyes, saw Liljegren for who he really is, and told Treliving "he's not going to see any ice time on my team. He probably should consider playing in the Swedish Elite League".

why sign him for 3M
thats crazy

 

[Ianturnedbull]

why sign him for 3M
thats crazy

The answer to this is factual and not opinion based. If you're a fan of this team, you know the answer to this.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

why sign him for 3M
thats crazy

Because he might have gotten more through arbitration. They were worried that he might come in much higher because of the advanced fancy stats. If a meh player like Sandin signs for well over $4M....it would scare the Leafs into making a deal I guess.

 

[Martin Skoula]

Well Sandin was drafted in 2018 and traded in mid 2023. Liljegren was drafted in 2017 and traded in late 2024. So I think there’s also a difference between trading a Dman when he’s a little younger vs 2.5 years later when there’s more data on them. To Dubas’ credit I’d say the return on Sandin was surprising at the time. I don’t think there’s a world where Liljegren coming off the Boston series would have given us a 1st or 2nd. If it was possible it would have happened right?

I guess I’d be confused about paying a guy 3 mil if no one in the league values him at even a late 2nd in that case.

 

[Menzinger]

I guess I’d be confused about paying a guy 3 mil if no one in the league values him at even a late 2nd in that case.

A fair question to say the least.

One would assume Tre figured he'd be able to get something for him on the market. But it's a puzzling deal to give to a guy with clearly little value around the league

 

[uncleben]

A fair question to say the least.

One would assume Tre figured he'd be able to get something for him on the market. But it's a puzzling deal to give to a guy with clearly little value around the league

You'd have to imagine he'd have had more value (even if marginally) if he wasn't benched and sold low

Why would anyone in the League pay market price, let alone a premium, when Tre is in a corner, approaching an IR cap crunch, and it's obvious he wants to move Lily

 

[DarkKnight]

why sign him for 3M
thats crazy

How many times do people have to say it, was either sign him or let him walk for nothing. What sounds smarter to you? Crazy anyone thinks differently, he was going to arbitration.

 

[Menzinger]

You'd have to imagine he'd have had more value if he wasn't benched and sold at a low (even if marginally)

Why would anyone in the League pay market price, let alone a premium, when Tre is in a corner approaching an IR cap crunch, and it's obvious and wants to move Lily

The entire handling him was dysfunctional, and it goes beyond the last few months too.

 

[ULF_55]

The entire handling him was dysfunctional, and it goes beyond the last few months too.

It isn't as if his replacement options are good.

 

[Stephen]

I guess I’d be confused about paying a guy 3 mil if no one in the league values him at even a late 2nd in that case.

I suppose they could have walked away from Liljegren and not qualified him, but then they wouldn't have these marginal picks.

Olli Maatta was traded for a third rounder 2 days ago and makes $3 million.

 

[ULF_55]

I suppose they could have walked away from Liljegren and not qualified him, but then they wouldn't have these marginal picks.

Olli Maatta was traded for a third rounder 2 days ago and makes $3 million.

What if that $3mm was available on July 1st.

 

[Burnie97]

How many times do people have to say it, was either sign him or let him walk for nothing. What sounds smarter to you? Crazy anyone thinks differently, he was going to arbitration.

Yup. Just received 2 picks for him and maybe they flip Benning and get another pick.

So let him walk... or 2 to 3 picks.

But that's bad assest management?

I liked Lilly too but he wasn't improving enough on a team trying to win now.

He could very well get better and I wish him all the best but he went to the right team for now.

 

[Stephen]

What if that $3mm was available on July 1st.

It was reported they were after Matt Roy as well in the offseason but didn't get him cause they couldn't go that high. Roy makes $5.75 million with Washington, so maybe we have him instead of OEL... maybe they could have grabbed another middle six guy with the money.

 

[Stephen]

A fair question to say the least.

One would assume Tre figured he'd be able to get something for him on the market. But it's a puzzling deal to give to a guy with clearly little value around the league

How is it puzzling in the least?

They signed Liljegren to a contract to a) hedge against heavier arbitration award and b) letting him walk as a UFA... mission accomplished.*

*The opportunity cost was having more cap space in free agency, but they still got OEL, Tanev and Stolarz who have fit in well.

They wait a few months, realized he's not in their plans in camp, explored the market, pulled the trigger on a trade and have cleared out the bulk of his salary. In all of this they've managed to lose no one on waivers, and are in position to activate a few guys off LTIR.

 

[Dough72]

he might not be over the Marchand hit yet. For whatever reason, injuries like that can throw you off for like a season or more even after you're 100% healthy again.

 

[Menzinger]

How is it puzzling in the least?

They signed Liljegren to a contract to a) hedge against heavier arbitration award and b) letting him walk as a UFA... mission accomplished.*

*The opportunity cost was having more cap space in free agency, but they still got OEL, Tanev and Stolarz who have fit in well.

They wait a few months, realized he's not in their plans in camp, explored the market, pulled the trigger on a trade and have cleared out the bulk of his salary. In all of this they've managed to lose no one on waivers, and are in position to activate a few guys off LTIR.

I think awarding a contract to a guy who you know isn't worth it AND giving him term carries a considerable amount of unnecessary risk. Especially when you knew there was a reasonable chance the new coach wouldn't have much interest in showcasing him.

Tre put himself in a hole, and had to quickly dig himself out. It's worked out, in the end, so water under the bridge for the most part. But I don't think anyone can say this was an ideal situation (with a straight face, at least)

I actually liked Tres free agency this year,l. Having 3 more mil to play around with could have given the third line an extra impact player, or maybe being able to add a 6 mil D man if need be. It's not unreasonable to think that 3 mil in free agency could be more impactful than whatever Tre trades that 3rd rounder for at the tdl next year.

 

[DarkKnight]

Yup. Just received 2 picks for him and maybe they flip Benning and get another pick.

So let him walk... or 2 to 3 picks.

But that's bad assest management?

I liked Lilly too but he wasn't improving enough on a team trying to win now.

He could very well get better and I wish him all the best but he went to the right team for now.

Also by signing him and strategically giving most of the money in bonuses, it always meant it would be easier to move. He had arb rights, we made the best of it for sure

 

[Stephen]

I think awarding a contract to a guy who you know isn't worth it AND giving him term carries a considerable amount of unnecessary risk. Especially when you knew there was a reasonable chance the new coach wouldn't have much interest in showcasing him.

Tre put himself in a hole, and had to quickly dig himself out. It's worked out, in the end, so water under the bridge for the most part. But I don't think anyone can say this was an ideal situation (with a straight face, at least)

I actually liked Tres free agency this year,l. Having 3 more mil to play around with could have given the third line an extra impact player, or maybe being able to add a 6 mil D man if need be. It's not unreasonable to think that 3 mil in free agency could be more impactful than whatever Tre trades that 3rd rounder for at the tdl next year.

If he didn't qualify Liljegren everyone would have been upset they let such a wonderful asset walk to free agency with what little RHD depth we had...

 

[darrylsittler27]

he might not be over the Marchand hit yet. For whatever reason, injuries like that can throw you off for like a season or more even after you're 100% healthy again.

We must never forget what Marchand did. Reeves was gutless and Xhekaj proved he is a weak man full of fear. I would have traded Reeves the next day. He needs to be waived as he clearly is not capable of doing his job. He is an unneeded part clogging up the ice.

 

[Martin Skoula]

If he didn't qualify Liljegren everyone would have been upset they let such a wonderful asset walk to free agency with what little RHD depth we had...

Is people on a message board being upset a relevant factor for a GM’s decision making?

 

[Evilhomer]

What if that $3mm was available on July 1st.

Thank goodness it wasn't, because it may have resulted in Bertuzzi coming back.

 

[Jmo89]

Is there any chance Benning can be better than the team's current #6 options or is he poopoo?

 

[thusk]

Is there any chance Benning can be better than the team's current #6 options or is he poopoo?

Good chance Hakanpaa will be 6th when he will be back