Confirmed with Link: Sharks acquire Timothy Liljegren from Maple Leafs for Matt Benning, conditional 3rd and 6th

[dmcccdmn]

Would you say we got a Zeev Buium lite? His scouting report sounds similar to Zeev's.

 

[Hodge]

Where else are you getting a 25 year old RHD who has posted strong results in a top-4 role?

I would rather save our assets for an established top 4 D, preferably one who's bigger and more physical than Liljegren. I know we're not getting that player for a 3rd and a 6th but as a rebuilding team there are only so many top 3 round picks we can afford to trade. That said this trade doesn't pull us out of the running for a bigger move like that either.

 

[Lebanezer]

 

[Star Platinum]

Rare Grier L. Toronto should be paying us a draft pick to take on a 2x3M contract for a healthy scratch.

I would have thought you'd be more excited given that he exceeded the Hodge 2.0 minimum height requirement.

 

[Hodge]

I would have thought you'd be more excited given that he exceeded the Hodge 2.0 minimum height requirement.

He might be listed as 6'1 but he plays like he's 5'1.

 

[Alaskanice]

Would you say we got a Zeev Buium lite? His scouting report sounds similar to Zeev's.

Except he’s played nearly 200 NHL games.

 

[themelkman]

Great move, props to Mikey

 

[Jargon]

I would rather save our assets for an established top 4 D, preferably one who's bigger and more physical than Liljegren. I know we're not getting that player for a 3rd and a 6th but as a rebuilding team there are only so many top 3 round picks we can afford to trade. That said this trade doesn't pull us out of the running for a bigger move like that either.

All these assets are recoupable and yeah, like you said, if we’re big game hunting, these assets don’t really move the needle much either way. I don’t think it matters and again, if it means Celebrini and Smith spending less time in their own zone, it’s a win.

 

[OrrNumber4]

All these assets are recoupable and yeah, like you said, if we’re big game hunting, these assets don’t really move the needle much either way. I don’t think it matters and again, if it means Celebrini and Smith spending less time in their own zone, it’s a win.

Yeah, that's true. If Liljegren is halfway decent, the Sharks will easily recoup those picks in the next offseason.

 

[Hodge]

All these assets are recoupable and yeah, like you said, if we’re big game hunting, these assets don’t really move the needle much either way. I don’t think it matters and again, if it means Celebrini and Smith spending less time in their own zone, it’s a win.

Good point on the pick being recoupable. Calling the trade an "L" was probably a bit harsh on my part. I'd be fine with us going to the deadline with Walman-Ceci/Ferraro-Rutta as our top four but I can understand why Grier wasn't. Someone does need to get the puck up to Celebrini.

 

[Rare Jewel]

I hope he does well with you guys. I'm not a fan of the move from the Leafs side.

 

[SirKillalot]

An NHL level puck moving RD is exactly what this team lacked. Of noting else, he can serve as a bridge until we find a more permanent salutation. Offensive one way TD's have done well in San Jose

Sharks win this because of a couple of reasons.

1. Is the point you mention. At worst he is a player who's bridging the gap until something else comes a long.
2. For a rebuilding team, it let's say ignites some excitement getting a young d-man in and gives fans more reason to get tickets and watch the team. Its a trade of hope, even if a small one in the bigger perspective with all the young players they have., hoping he can develop into a player that does well and sticks longer term with the team. Still in general that takes longer with defensemen and goalies and such he is still in that category of "he could become".
3. The value of getting him is solid. Either its a wash if it doesn't work out, or if it does, its a massive win.

 

[mogambomoroo]

Hell yes! Top 4 RD for a low price, just what we need right now. I mean it's only great for this team to have this type of defencemen through the transition to a playoff team in couple of years. I'm a big believer he can produce in this market with the playing time he will be given. Grier does not disappoint. Win!

 

[Sharkz4Fun]

Leafs fan here. Honestly, Leaf fans were stoked AF when he dropped to 17th OV in his draft year. But, Lilly is soft as butter, makes defensive gaffs all the time. Especially in high pressure situations. There's a reason why TB and BOS would target him. There's a reason why he was scratched for most of the playoffs a few years back when we knocked out TB. His game does not translate to the playoffs. He played nearly 200 NHL games and 150 AHL games. I doubt he can change his game.

But who knows. He wasn't getting top 4 minutes, which is where he would probably have a better chance to succeed (second pair). He can move the puck and it's disappointing that he did not get more chances to quarterback the PP because he has shown glimpses of high end talent on the PP when Rielly was out last year. I hope he turns out for you guys.

To be fair, the entire leafs core is soft as charmin. I haven't seen Marners or even Matthews game really translate well in the playoffs either.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

Calling it now, he is our Gustav Forsling.

 

[Dicdonya]

Love this

Not having to watch Benning any more is icing on the cake.

 

[Star Platinum]

Good point on the pick being recoupable. Calling the trade an "L" was probably a bit harsh on my part.

 

[STL Shark]

No, I'm just saying that if this is the market price for Liljegren we shouldn't have paid it. He's not a particularly unique or hard to find player type.

25 year old RHD that score at 30-35 point per 82 pace isn’t a unique or hard to find player? Must have missed where RHD isn’t the most coveted asset in the league anymore.

 

[Hodge]

25 year old RHD that score at 30-35 point per 82 pace isn’t a unique or hard to find player? Must have missed where RHD isn’t the most coveted asset in the league anymore.

Matt Benning is also RHD so there's clearly more to a defenseman's value than just handedness. Soft bottom pair dmen with no special teams utility aren't that valuable regardless of what hand they shoot with.

 

[weastern bias]

There's a reason why he was scratched for most of the playoffs

What are those?

 

[mogambomoroo]

I would like to add that Liljegren could easily be another Walman situation, where he just didn't fit the better team he was traded from but will fit perfectly a low pressure high future team in San Jose.

 

[fasterthanlight]

Sure, adding nhlers seems good

 

[DarrylshutzSydor]

would have been better to trade the picks etc to move up for a higher pick in an upcoming draft, the better way to rebuild.

 

[gaucholoco3]

Calling it now, he is our Gustav Forsling.

Exactly why a players status on one team doesn’t imply how they will perform on their new team. Wasn’t he a waiver claim?

 

[tiburon12]

I feel for Benning and hope he turns it around. He had a promising career and had it ruined by injury, yet he kept persevering. I'll keep cheering for a guy like that to make it work, even more so now that his mistakes don't hurt my team