Prospect Info: Marlies/Prospects Thread - The AHL is up and prospects are in play

[Randy Randerson]

I don't understand why Liljegren isn't much more highly regarded as a prospect just in general. He's a very dynamic offensive talent, who is also extremely reliable and steady in his own end

Agree, seems like his only knocks are the lingering "bad decision making" narrative from his draft year and "why is he still in the ahl?" without consideration for how young he was when he got there.

He feels like Ryan Pulock with better skating

 

[Bloomberg]

I don't understand why Liljegren isn't much more highly regarded as a prospect just in general. He's a very dynamic offensive talent, who is also extremely reliable and steady in his own end

Because the Leafs promoted a much older Holl ahead of Liljegren and there were always worries if his defense would be a liability in the NHL. Some times AHL success doesn't necessarily transfer to the NHL. I'm not sure where Liljegren would fit into the Leafs next year, especially if Bogosian wants to come back to the Leafs for a league min. deal.

Not a knock against Holl, but I thought Muzzin would've been the perfect partner for Liljegren. Would've been able to shelter him a bit as he gets use to the NHL.

 

[Leafed]

Scott Burnside for The Athletic

Pack your bags (most likely to be traded)
...

Timothy Liljegren, defense, Toronto Maple Leafs
Good fits: Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Anaheim Ducks
We have the 21-year-old defensive prospect in the “pack your bags” category because he seems the most likely candidate to be part of a package that goes the other way if Toronto acquires a skilled forward. Whether that’s a Rickard Rakell in Anaheim, a Taylor Hall in Buffalo, or Mikael Granlund in Nashville, or any of the other names that have popped up, Toronto GM Kyle Dubas is going to have to move some salary (likely Alex Kerfoot) and a package of picks and prospects. Liljegren is likely going to be the cost of doing business in such a deal.​

 

[Mr Hockey]

Because the Leafs promoted a much older Holl ahead of Liljegren and there were always worries if his defense would be a liability in the NHL. Some times AHL success doesn't necessarily transfer to the NHL. I'm not sure where Liljegren would fit into the Leafs next year, especially if Bogosian wants to come back to the Leafs for a league min. deal.

Not a knock against Holl, but I thought Muzzin would've been the perfect partner for Liljegren. Would've been able to shelter him a bit as he gets use to the NHL.

I will be very surprised if Liljegren can crack the top 6 next season especially with Sandin ahead of him. we would have to lose two starters and I dont think Dubas wants two 20'ish rookie dman in the lineup when we are possibly an elite level team

 

[Minty Cowboy]

I will be very surprised if Liljegren can crack the top 6 next season especially with Sandin ahead of him. we would have to lose two starters and I dont think Dubas wants two 20'ish rookie dman in the lineup when we are possibly an elite level team

They play different sides, if Bogosian goes I see Lilly getting that 3rd put rhd spot.

 

[genk]

There's absolutely no reason to trade Liljegren. His value is significantly higher to the Leafs than any other team, and he's not even 22 yet. Unless the Leafs get a significant overpayment for him, he's not going anywhere, and in no circumstances will be a throw for a secondary piece.

 

[stickty111]

 

[Mr Hockey]

They play different sides, if Bogosian goes I see Lilly getting that 3rd put rhd spot.

Sandin gets the first opportunity, it doesn't matter what side is available, Dubas seems to be very high on Sandin and will make room

 

[Twine Tickler]

So how did Woll look today? 3 goals on 24 shots...

I was watching while working, so I couldn't give you a complete run down on him. I will say, he made a couple big saves. One in particular off of the SDA pizza. I thought on goal 1 he didn't read the play all that well, was a nice dish but he didnt even push off to make an attempt to save it. Must have not read the play well. Goal 2 was a bar down 1T from the hash marks of a lost draw. Hard to be critical of him on that, no much you can do there. I didn't really see goal 3 so I cant comment. Overall, he looks decently quiet in the net which is a good thing. There were a couple scramble plays that he had to battle a bit, but most of the time he looked composed. Maybe someone who watched the game with no distractions could provide more insight. Thats how my 40% attention saw it lol..

Only one game, but SDA looks comfortable so far. Made the one giveaway but so far so good.

Does he not play a lot like Mitch?? I swear they have the same skating style, and they seem to play a very simliar game. Unfortunately for us, Mitch is far more skilled than SDA. Stylistically they looked very similar though. Especially on the Brooks goal. Ive seen that exact play from mitch so many times. Hang on just enough to draw attention, quick dish, Bingo

 

[supermann_98]

I will be very surprised if Liljegren can crack the top 6 next season especially with Sandin ahead of him. we would have to lose two starters and I dont think Dubas wants two 20'ish rookie dman in the lineup when we are possibly an elite level team

Sandin plays the left side, so I guess it depends what you think of Bogosian. I like that he's brought in some size and is cheap but more so lately I've been picking apart his game in my mind because I see him make a panic dump in and think that Liljegren could have made a much better move or found an open forward for a pass.

Sandin is likely going to replace Dermott on the left and Liljegren replace Bogo on the right. Two years ago all I heard was how badly we needed a RHD and now that we have Brodie and Holl we may as well just trade out best RHD prospect? Just makes zero sense to me.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Scott Burnside for The Athletic

Pack your bags (most likely to be traded)
...

Timothy Liljegren, defense, Toronto Maple Leafs
Good fits: Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Anaheim Ducks
We have the 21-year-old defensive prospect in the “pack your bags” category because he seems the most likely candidate to be part of a package that goes the other way if Toronto acquires a skilled forward. Whether that’s a Rickard Rakell in Anaheim, a Taylor Hall in Buffalo, or Mikael Granlund in Nashville, or any of the other names that have popped up, Toronto GM Kyle Dubas is going to have to move some salary (likely Alex Kerfoot) and a package of picks and prospects. Liljegren is likely going to be the cost of doing business in such a deal.​

How do these people have jobs?

 

[4thline]

I would not be surprised if the plan next season is for our 5-6-7 to look like

LH Bogo-Liljegren
Dermott (if not taken in expansion)

With Sandin getting reps in the A to start the year.

 

[Twine Tickler]

One of the more underappreciated aspects of this shift was why there was a play at the line in the first place. The puck becomes loose on the wall and Timmy has the instinct to drift to the neutral zone to cover a potential turnover. And only once the puck was recovered by the Marlies he steps back into the play. Too many times you see guys like Dermott, Reilly maintain their offensive position and it ends up in an odd man rush going the other way If that 50/50 puck is not won by the Leafs. This is a great example of not only the high IQ Timmy has to recognize the vulnerability of that play, but also the skillset to get back into the play quickly

 

[X66]

Listen you never want to say never but there’s about a zero percent chance Lilly is traded.

With the flat cap forever, guys like Sandin, Lilly, Robertson and Amirov aren’t going anywhere.

Their contracts are too valuable and they all can make an impact.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

Listen you never want to say never but there’s about a zero percent chance Lilly is traded.

With the flat cap forever, guys like Sandin, Lilly, Robertson and Amirov aren’t going anywhere.

Their contracts are too valuable and they all can make an impact.

Assuming we go 4/4 in expansion, you likely lose Dermott and need Sandin/Liljegren to fill that bottom pair.

Maybe add another LD in case Sandin isn't ready but Liljegren can play in this league now.

 

[Northernguy10]

One of the more underappreciated aspects of this shift was why there was a play at the line in the first place. The puck becomes loose on the wall and Timmy has the instinct to drift to the neutral zone to cover a potential turnover. And only once the puck was recovered by the Marlies he steps back into the play. Too many times you see guys like Dermott, Reilly maintain their offensive position and it ends up in an odd man rush going the other way If that 50/50 puck is not won by the Leafs. This is a great example of not only the high IQ Timmy has to recognize the vulnerability of that play, but also the skillset to get back into the play quickly

That stood out to me as well...smart play.

 

[Mr Hockey]

Assuming we go 4/4 in expansion, you likely lose Dermott and need Sandin/Liljegren to fill that bottom pair.

Maybe add another LD in case Sandin isn't ready but Liljegren can play in this league now.

your saying Liljegren is defiantly NHL ready right now and you're unsure if Sandin will be NHL ready next season?

 

[Fogelhund]

I appreciate what some of you guys are talking about with our lineup for next year and comments about expansion draft.

My opinion, our D core next year should have Muzzin and Liljegren as a pairing. I like the idea of having a physical veteran, to ease a rookie into the league.

Sandin could play further with the Marlies, depending on whether it’s Holl or Dermott that gets selected in the expansion draft.

I don’t like the idea of two rookies on the bottom pairing.

Holl has been a late blooming revelation, but I feel like he’s benefiting from Muzzin’s strong play. Liljegren will be a better D within a year than Holl could dream of.

 

[Martin Skoula]

your saying Liljegren is defiantly NHL ready right now and you're unsure if Sandin will be NHL ready next season?

Yes, the bigger stronger player with better skating and durability is more NHL ready than the smaller guy with the higher ceiling who's in the middle of a long-term injury.

 

[Mr Hockey]

Yes, the bigger stronger player with better skating and durability is more NHL ready than the smaller guy with the higher ceiling who's in the middle of a long-term injury.

alrighty

 

[Randy Randerson]

your saying Liljegren is defiantly NHL ready right now and you're unsure if Sandin will be NHL ready next season?

Sandin needs some time to deconstruct and rebuild his skating stride outside of the NHL. It won't be a popular opinion, but he's not an NHL skater in the his sample so far. His lateral mobility is fine, but straight away speed is a huge liability, was regularly getting beat outside and having to make great stick plays to compensate.

 

[Thornbury]

your saying Liljegren is defiantly NHL ready right now and you're unsure if Sandin will be NHL ready next season?

I would actually agree with that. Sandin has tons of potential, but he has played very little hockey over the past year.

 

[justloveleafs]

They play different sides, if Bogosian goes I see Lilly getting that 3rd put rhd spot.

For the way Bogosian is playing this year. I think he could get a pretty nice $ deal next season. I personally would miss him, he just looks scary, and he mauls people in front of the net. Been a great add this year imho.

Someone might even throw him as much as 2.5 million over 3 years. Money talks. Walks and it runs out, when you retire.

Spezza and Hyman could both be offered nice deals next year also.

Hyman could go to Buffalo and still be close to his dad and family and make uber bucks, how bad does Buffalo need Hyman? How badly do we?

I personally, like Llljegren more than Sandin. Lil has beast potential. Next time my bud confers, with Salming I am going to ask him for the scoop on these two. I completed the pr for the Salming add. Can't post it yet, hasnt been approved.

But if anyone can give some insight into those two dandies, its Borje. But gotta warn ya. Swedes and Aussies? They will never say anything bad about a fellow countryman. And if you say something bad about them, you might just get shut out as a friend, but on some occassions, you might be missing a tooth. Man do those two countries and their citizens stick up for their countries and countrymen.

I played with both Aussies and Swedes. Its a tie as to which is more loyal to their brothers and sisters.

 

[Menzinger]

Because the Leafs promoted a much older Holl ahead of Liljegren and there were always worries if his defense would be a liability in the NHL. Some times AHL success doesn't necessarily transfer to the NHL. I'm not sure where Liljegren would fit into the Leafs next year, especially if Bogosian wants to come back to the Leafs for a league min. deal.

Not a knock against Holl, but I thought Muzzin would've been the perfect partner for Liljegren. Would've been able to shelter him a bit as he gets use to the NHL.

Problem is though Muzzin tends to get a lot of shutdown usage. Not exactly a great place for a rookie D man

 

[Bloomberg]

Sandin needs some time to deconstruct and rebuild his skating stride outside of the NHL. It won't be a popular opinion, but he's not an NHL skater in the his sample so far. His lateral mobility is fine, but straight away speed is a huge liability, was regularly getting beat outside and having to make great stick plays to compensate.

Yeah that's one thing that was really noticeable last year when he played for the Leafs. He was getting clearly beat too. I'm hoping this can be fixed, maybe as Sandin gets strong. Deconstruct and rebuild his skating seem really extreme...