Player Discussion: Liljegren Is Back

[mapleleaf979]

Respectively, that is completely wrong. His detractors were the ones saying his upside is bleak (while openly admitting to not watching many/any Marlie games), while his biggest supporters (who actually watch Marlie games) were always supporting the eye test with comparable players in the AHL at the same age in which his performance was almost always in the 95th percentile of his comparables at the same age.

I watched Liljegren live many times in the AHL, at Leafs camp, Rookie games, Maple Leafs games etc. I talked about him many times, the media has zero impact on what I think. In fact I dont respect most media's takes on the game. He was clearly doing well in the AHL in his last few years so that chapter was done, it was all about what he was doing in the NHL with less time and space. He changed exactly what i said he should change when he started to play NHL games. I said to keep it simple, leave the offense alone, focus on defense only. Last season at the beginning of the year, Liljegren was forcing things, trying to make an impact. He was making terrible decisions, forcing stretch passes that ended up in icing, pinching at the wrong times. He is comfortable now and one of the few Toronto dmen that have defense in the back of his head at all times. Reilly and Sandin do not think about defense.

 

[mapleleaf979]

Unfortunately Sandin has convinced himself hes Makar and the endless mistakes flow from that mindset.

Liljegren has surpassed Sandin now easily. I wonder if Sandin and Reilly are not listening to the coach or they are told to pinch every rush. Sandin is an average skater and is 5-8 at most, his skating does not bode well for him recovering from a pinch.

 

[Clyde Brewer]

Not a dirty word is it?

I hope this is a new norm.

Agreed.

I think Robertson needs more seasoning.

 

[TIGERCOOL]

Liljegren biggest supporters dont understand how big of a turn around he had last year. His upside was looking bleak and the overdrive guys were not taking shots at him, it was legit looking like Liljegren wasnt going to be a pro. To his credit it all changed with Girodano being paired with him and his confidence grew. Liljegren is his only player now. I would trade Sandin but would not trade Liljegren. Great goal in tonights game, he wanted that pretty bad i think considering he wasnt happy with himself earlier in the game , taking a penalty.

I don't know where this narrative is coming from. Word was he was the Marlies best defencemen for his last season with them at like 21 years old.. before that he was so young it was way too early to make an assessment on him, especially as a defencemen. I've always liked Lilly's game despite a lack of confidence in early showings with the Leafs.

I think we all got spoiled by our elite prospects making the jump so quickly, and particularly Sandin getting looks earlier and being a year younger.

 

[kb]

I watched Liljegren live many times in the AHL, at Leafs camp, Rookie games, Maple Leafs games etc. I talked about him many times, the media has zero impact on what I think. In fact I dont respect most media's takes on the game. He was clearly doing well in the AHL in his last few years so that chapter was done, it was all about what he was doing in the NHL with less time and space. He changed exactly what i said he should change when he started to play NHL games. I said to keep it simple, leave the offense alone, focus on defense only. Last season at the beginning of the year, Liljegren was forcing things, trying to make an impact. He was making terrible decisions, forcing stretch passes that ended up in icing, pinching at the wrong times. He is comfortable now and one of the few Toronto dmen that have defense in the back of his head at all times. Reilly and Sandin do not think about defense.

This post proves you didn't watch him.

 

[meefer]

I think it was in Nov last year that I said 'best game I've seen Lily play in the show'. Said it again in Dec/Jan/Feb...all the way to today. Kid is still only 112 games into his career.

I'd staple him to Rielly. They'll need time to learn each other's game, but TL has the passing ability to find Rielly as he activates and TL has the defensive chops to capably support when Mo goes deep. I'd play them together on the 1st PP. He's got the shot for it, and it allows some more talent on the 2nd PP. I'd also, were I Keefe, challenge Lily to get mean, the kid's an ox.

 

[Anthrax442]

I love it that people can't love Sandin and Lilly in the same time. For some reason when Sandin came in, everyone turned on Lily and now they are doing the opposite. They are both "ours" they are both good youths and Sandin is a year younger, and played fewer games. Relax people. Drink some herbal tea.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I love it that people can't love Sandin and Lilly in the same time. For some reason when Sandin came in, everyone turned on Lily and now they are doing the opposite. They are both "ours" they are both good youths and Sandin is a year younger, and played fewer games. Relax people. Drink some herbal tea.

If I could like this more then one time I would lol like you said I never got it when it was the other way around. Why people feel the need to pit prospects that we own against each other constantly is completely baffling.

 

[Obo]

Relax people.

Ok...

Drink some herbal tea.

...wait, you want us to get angrier?

 

[mapleleaf979]

I don't know where this narrative is coming from. Word was he was the Marlies best defencemen for his last season with them at like 21 years old.. before that he was so young it was way too early to make an assessment on him, especially as a defencemen. I've always liked Lilly's game despite a lack of confidence in early showings with the Leafs.

I think we all got spoiled by our elite prospects making the jump so quickly, and particularly Sandin getting looks earlier and being a year younger.

See the excuses u are making, he was the best marlie dman and before that he was "young". Sorry man, its doesnt happen like that. Im sticking with the now part, Liljegren has settled into an NHL dman, that deserves more ice time and if Keefe is smart give Liljegren some pp2 time, to boost his confidence and make him feel trusted.

 

[mapleleaf979]

I love it that people can't love Sandin and Lilly in the same time. For some reason when Sandin came in, everyone turned on Lily and now they are doing the opposite. They are both "ours" they are both good youths and Sandin is a year younger, and played fewer games. Relax people. Drink some herbal tea.

Wrong my friend. Its not that simple. Sandin showed right away he has hockey sense. 1 example was how he was rushing the puck, Sandin does not have explosive skating or top end speed, he was clearly deceiving the pressure with body faints and where his eyes were looking. This was clear based on the pressure guessing wrong. Now, Sandin is a 5-8 dman that despite him pinching, it puts a big risk on the team to cover for him because Sandin can not recover due to his foot speed. Liljegren right now is a less risk, more trustworthy dman, who is not obsessed with pinching and 100 foot passes.

 

[TIGERCOOL]

See the excuses u are making, he was the best marlie dman and before that he was "young". Sorry man, its doesnt happen like that. Im sticking with the now part, Liljegren has settled into an NHL dman, that deserves more ice time and if Keefe is smart give Liljegren some pp2 time, to boost his confidence and make him feel trusted.

I can't figure out what point youre trying to make here

 

[kb]

I can't figure out what point youre trying to make here

He doesn't know either, because he can't even make one up.

 

[The Iceman]

Timothy Liljegren hasn't been on for a 5-on-5 goal against in ten straight games.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Why draft forwards first when it takes way longer to get D NHL ready ?

 

[stickty111]

Lilly referring to Gio as "my boy G"

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]