Confirmed Trade: [SJS/TOR] Timothy Liljegren for 2025 SJS 3rd round pick, 2026 SJS 6th round pick, Matt Benning

[Leaf Fans]

On a number of Leafs fans posts a number of years ago...

Yeah, like when Reilly was suspended - he fit right in the top four. Though, usually he didn't bring the goods though at 25 he still has potential. I for one, hope he does well with the Sharks.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I have a soft spot for 3rd round picks for tank teams. But I know that's my cross to bear.

There's always more useful players than I think people realize that come out of it.

2010 - Radko Gudas, Bryan Rust, Joakim Nordstrom
2011 - Vincent Trocheck, Adam Lowry, Nick Cousins, Blake Coleman, Jordan Binnington
2012 - Adam Pelech, Jimmy Vesey, Esa Lindell, Chandler Stephenson, Shayne Gostisbehere, Oskar Sundqvist, Matt Grzelcyk, Frederick Andersen
2013 - Brett Pesce, Pavel Buchnevich, Jake Guentzel, Mattias Janmark, Anthony Duclair, Carter Verhaeghe, Oliver Bjorkstand
2014 - Warren Foegele, Elvis Merzlikins, lya Sorokin, Brayden Point, Jake Walman, Mike Amadio
2015 - Keegan Kolesar, Anthony Cirelli, Adin Hill, Samuel Montembeault, Tommy Novak

I know they don't have much value for competitive teams, but for tank teams whose "window" is like seven years in the future, I really like having those lotto tickets in the pocket.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Good move for sharks

 

[TheBeastCoast]

On a number of Leafs fans posts a number of years ago...

Not like you know...things might not have changed in a number of years? Never. Couldn't imagine.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Leafs got fleeced

Yeah but they dump some salary? Real dumb management on their part though to resign him and then discard the guy.

 

[HockeyVirus]

He will be in the Sharks top 4 for a decade. In the end, a terrible trade for the Leafs.

 

[bov]

Seems reasonable.

 

[3074326]

No-brainer for the Sharks. These kinds of moves are exactly what teams like that should be doing. Low risk/high reward all the way.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

If not, it’s an early 3rd with how bad the sharks are.

It's not the Sharks 3rd round pick that they got, it's the earlier of the two other 3rd round picks the Sharks have...

 

[dmcccdmn]

I have a soft spot for 3rd round picks for tank teams. But I know that's my cross to bear.

There's always more useful players than I think people realize that come out of it.

2010 - Radko Gudas, Bryan Rust, Joakim Nordstrom
2011 - Vincent Trocheck, Adam Lowry, Nick Cousins, Blake Coleman, Jordan Binnington
2012 - Adam Pelech, Jimmy Vesey, Esa Lindell, Chandler Stephenson, Shayne Gostisbehere, Oskar Sundqvist, Matt Grzelcyk, Frederick Andersen
2013 - Brett Pesce, Pavel Buchnevich, Jake Guentzel, Mattias Janmark, Anthony Duclair, Carter Verhaeghe, Oliver Bjorkstand
2014 - Warren Foegele, Elvis Merzlikins, lya Sorokin, Brayden Point, Jake Walman, Mike Amadio
2015 - Keegan Kolesar, Anthony Cirelli, Adin Hill, Samuel Montembeault, Tommy Novak

I know they don't have much value for competitive teams, but for tank teams whose "window" is like seven years in the future, I really like having those lotto tickets in the pocket.

If you thought it was a Sharks' 3rd rounder, it's actually a 3rd rounder from either Edmonton or Colorado.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

He's a UFA at the end of this year.

Nope... if you're talking about Benning.

 

[Zonk]

Relatively small point, but the title of this thread is incorrect. The 2025 3rd pick will be either Colorado's or the Oilers. The 6th round pick will be from SJS but will be in 2026.

 

[stats1]

Should have traded him way sooner or given him the chance. Always showed he had the ability to be a top guy to me.

How? Honestly what did he show you that made you think this guy is top 2-4 guy on any club? He’ll get a lot of mins in SJ but I’m not sure if you’ve noticed he’s soft as butter. He got destroyed in the playoffs last year. And I don’t want to hear from people that he didn’t get a chance here. That’s B.S

 

[sxvnert]

He will be in the Sharks top 4 for a decade. In the end, a terrible trade for the Leafs.

Zero chance that happens. He thinks the game a half step slower than everyone else and panics when hes under physical pressure.

 

[Martin Skoula]

Lilly never earned his minutes in Toronto. He was given minutes because Dubas took him high. And when the games got tough, he shelled up and played worse. He was terrible in the playoffs every time he was given an opportunity.

His 2023-2024 was worse than his 2022-2023.

Terrible at handling the forecheck, can't battle up front and move bodies away from the net.

He's a decent puck-mover, but not an exceptional skater.

He has also had a number of injuries.

San Jose gets to take a flyer on him and the leafs get a 6/7 defenceman and some picks. I guess its decent for both teams.

Too bad Lou drafted him, you almost had a cool narrative.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

Guy was just sitting there eating cap space. Once the Leafs are healthy they will start accruing cap space now. Smart move even if the return looks bad on paper

 

[Enniskillen]

I don't like this at all as a Sharks fan. Leafs should be paying us a pick to take on that contract.

The voice of reason here, leafs haters suddenly consider Lily as top 4D, this is ducking ridiculous.

 

[Fatass]

Is Benning kind of a cap dump the Leafs had to take to get the deal to work? They can afford to bury him in the minors while still paying his full salary. The Sarks are pinching Pennie’s. So that likely cost the third for the Leafs to take Benning and they got a sixth for Lilly.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Zero chance that happens. He thinks the game a half step slower than everyone else and panics when hes under physical pressure.

Watch him. Seen it too many times, guy who shows flashes is given up on right before they find that consistency in another market without the media spotlight picking apart every mistake and asking you every day how it feels being scratched and if the coach dislikes you.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Is Benning kind of a cap dump the Leafs had to take to get the deal to work? They can afford to bury him in the minors while still paying his full salary. The Sarks are pinching Pennie’s. So that likely cost the third for the Leafs to take Benning and they got a sixth for Lilly.

I’m looking at it as Liljegren for a 3rd with Benning + 6th washing out.

Essentially Leafs moving Liljegren for the same as the Maatta return, which is reasonable given the circumstances.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Is Benning kind of a cap dump the Leafs had to take to get the deal to work? They can afford to bury him in the minors while still paying his full salary. The Sarks are pinching Pennie’s. So that likely cost the third for the Leafs to take Benning and they got a sixth for Lilly.

Why would the Sharks pay a 3rd to dump a guy making barely more than the minimum?

If anything, the 3rd for Liljegren, the 6th to "dump", but in reality probably just roster balancing on both ends.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

Not like you know...things might not have changed in a number of years? Never. Couldn't imagine.

Is my answer to the question wrong ?

 

[Paulinbc]

Wow. 2 picks and a player?

That isssssssss... generous.

 

[Rude Dog]

I like Lily. Wish him well in SJ

 

[Breakers]

I have a feeling this trade is going to be talked about for AWHILE.

Such a decisive player amongst Torontos fan base

Analytics likes him, others think he is soft