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

[Stephen]

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

In all likelihood, Treliving would have been criticized no matter what he did with Liljegren by guys on the message board. Liljegren is a disappointing player and a lot of hope has been projected onto him over the years.

 

[All Mod Cons]

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.

Dubas used to get mad props for swiftly moving on from guys the coach didn't want to play. Brad, not so much.

 

[Stephen]

Dubas used to get mad props for swiftly moving on from guys the coach didn't want to play. Brad, not so much.

Countless examples of marginal assets and contracts being purged in the past.

 

[LeafEgo]

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.

Personally never saw any risk when he was signed or since then, and thought the price and term was to mitigate risk, as he would have been paid the same or more in FA by potential suitors. As it turns out it only took a couple weeks to move him for an expected return.

I don't think Tre predicted Berube to hate him as much as he did. That's a bit of a black eye, but it didn't affect his value much, if at all.

As you said, the other option was walking him and using the money in FA, but FA was a success and we wouldn't have a 3rd and a 6th today.

There was a lot of hub bub on the boards but I'm not sure this was ever actually a problem.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

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

Maybe it was due to the fact that OEL, Tanev, and Hakanpaa were not signed yet.