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

[The Expert]

Fair value. Liljegren doesn't move the needle.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Yeah about as many as other teams have. I think he was referring to some posters (certainly not all) in this thread: Speculation: - Any interest in Liljegren for a mid round pick?
It just exists for most people and very few people feel persecuted, if any.

I mean I explicitly said I wouldn't trade a 3rd for him (and subsequently poked fun at myself here), but I'm not now in this thread saying the Leafs got "fleeced"

 

[Fatass]

It might be, but it really shouldn't. His current contract runs this season and next, then following that (2026) he's a UFA if not otherwise extended on a new contract. Effectively, based on where they are as a team, San Jose bought the right to "skip the line" by evaluating him on their team to determine if he's worth extending on a UFA-type contract at a mutually agreeable number (12 month exclusive negotiating window July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026).


Sure, so you maybe pay the 6th round pick to avoid paying someone $1.2 million to be in the AHL, but that's not worth a 3rd round pick.

Lilly straight up was likely about or something. But the Sharks needed to dump Benning’s contract. So they paid the extra cost to do that. Other clubs were likely in too but didn’t need to dump money. This way the Leafs maximize the return on Lilly. Adding the extra value is the advantage of being a rich club.

 

[Puckstuff]

I think what determines the grade of this move is what comes next.

Liljegren is better then Timmins/Benning so if this is simply a cap casualty then cutting Jarnkrok and Timmins would have been preferable.

But…

If by the deadline they also waive or trade Timmins and Jarnkrok and they get another quality piece with their cap space then I think this is a good deal imo.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

Good to end things cleanly

Could have gotten toxic

Lilijgren gets a shot to play and leafs get some picks and a guy who I think once injured Mcdavid (could be mistaking Benning(

It wasn't Matt Benning who injured Mcdavid, it was Brandon Manning. Yes, can be confusing lol.

 

[Leaf Fans]

I mean I explicitly said I wouldn't trade a 3rd for him (and subsequently poked fun at myself here), but I'm not now in this thread saying the Leafs got "fleeced"

Yeah, I can't really speak for the other poster, but when I read the post, I thought they were making a generalization rather than an accusation.

 

[BobClarkesfrontteeth]

The Leafs can just about bury Benning, if they need to.

One or two of Benning, Timmins, and Myers will come off the roster, by hook or by crook, when the LTIRs clear.

Benning is sent to the Marlies and clears 1.25 m. If everyone comes back that is currently on LTIR with Benning being sent down. Then the Leafs are still 2 players over the max 23 players on the roster. They will have 15 Forwards and 9 Dmen with 2 goalies. Got to think a forward is getting traded soon. Mermis would get sent down to put the Leafs at 8 Dmen.

 

[DANTHEMAN1967]

For any Leafs fan wondering about Benning, he is 100% cooked and I'd be surprised if he ever played for the Leafs. He was out almost all of last year to a major hip injury and unfortunately just cannot skate anymore. Really sad to watch, honestly. Wish him the best, he's a good guy.

Time to take Old Yeller out behind the barn.

 

[SirKillalot]

Even if he never evolves into a consistent top-4 D, this is worth it for the Sharks. We need a guy with solid puck skills and skating desperately, especially a righty.

This is a good gamble for the Sharks. Liljegren still has second pair RHD upside. He’s just not remotely physical in any way so he was never going to fit in with this coach and GM. A problem for the playoffs but Sharks don’t have to worry about that for awhile.

Could be a massive win for the Sharks if he ever figures it out.
He has definitely shown flashes in the past.

Sharks win this because of a several reasons.

1. It's the points 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.

 

[Strangelove]

Leafs keep getting older...

 

[Leaf Fans]

For any Leafs fan wondering about Benning, he is 100% cooked and I'd be surprised if he ever played for the Leafs. He was out almost all of last year to a major hip injury and unfortunately just cannot skate anymore. Really sad to watch, honestly. Wish him the best, he's a good guy.

So no takers if he gets placed on waivers?

Leafs keep getting older...

Yeah, the arrow of time; second by second, minute by minute, day by day- it flows like a river from our perspective though perhaps not in reality.

 

[Toronto makebeleifs]

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.

100% benning is a dump. Likely going on waivers when hakenpaa is back. Clears an additional 800k I believe (1.25 aav). The move was for cap space, the picks are likely just ammo for the tdl. Sad to see Lilly go because I was a big time tire pumper for him, but this move does make sense for both sides.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Don't like it.

 

[Amadeus]

Timothy has been nothing short of a disappointment but hope he’s able to carve out a role with the Sharks. Wasn’t working out here.

 

[BobClarkesfrontteeth]

Don't like it.

Fantastic insight. Hope to see you soon on the NHL network at the trade deadline analyzing trades.

 

[Byron Bitz]

Toronto loses here big time. I guess the cap crunch is real, with players coming back from LTIR.

Don’t see how Toronto loses big here. That’s a fine return for a guy who’s not good enough to make their team.

 

[AcerComputer]

Fair value. Liljegren doesn't move the needle.

Based on his skillset, he was used incorrectly. He needs to be in the #1-2D slot with #1PP time and O-zone starts. Trying to covert him to a 2-way 5-6 dman isn't gonna work. He needs Rielly's spot to thrive. Now that we have OEL, kinda no chance he will get PP time or Ozone starts.

 

[fasterthanlight]

We are in dire need of NHL players so this seems great

 

[Juxtaposer]

So no takers if he gets placed on waivers?

I would be shocked if anyone claimed him. Both because he's not good and out of respect for a veteran.

 

[Face Of Bear]

I always thought Liljegren would be a late bloomer. He'll have a good opportunity to put it together in SJ.

 

[Petes2424]

Utah didn't want the 2nd year on Liljegren's contract. Durzi and Marino are signed long term and will be back next season along with Kesselring on the right side. Then they would have been in the same position as the Leafs.

If they thought very much of him, they would’ve made the deal (at that price) despite any roster concerns next summer.

The entire RH/LH thing is one of the most overrated things fans/media talk about. Especially on sites like this.

While coaches and managers like having options obviously, many, many Dmen actually enjoy playing their off hand much more. 20-25 years ago it wasn’t even a discussion as most teams had 4-5 LHD from atoms to the NHL. Something thats going to reoccur in the near future too, as we’re back to seeing significantly less RH players in minor hockey, as parents in non traditional areas have become more educated, and are now handing their kid the proper stick.

So a significant amount of your RHD in today’s game, also started playing roller first, especially in the US. With the constant rotation and constant cycling in roller with 4 players, they’re very used to playing both sides.

It’s just not a big issue for players, coaches and managers. Like I said, they like the options it gives them, but nobody’s complaining at 4 and 2. There’s not a GM out there who’s going to take a lessor player because of what handed he plays D.

If they thought Liljegren was a player they could use this year, and in the future, they would’ve 100% made the move for him, and figured out any roster moves later.

 

[Hodge]

If they thought very much of him, they would’ve made the deal (at that price) despite any roster concerns next summer.

The entire RH/LH thing is one of the most overrated things fans/media talk about. Especially on sites like this.

While coaches and managers like having options obviously, many, many Dmen actually enjoy playing their off hand much more. 20-25 years ago it wasn’t even a discussion as most teams had 4-5 LHD from atoms to the NHL. Something thats going to reoccur in the near future too, as we’re back to seeing significantly less RH players in minor hockey, as parents in non traditional areas have become more educated, and are now handing their kid the proper stick.

So a significant amount of your RHD in today’s game, also started playing roller first, especially in the US. With the constant rotation and constant cycling in roller with 4 players, they’re very used to playing both sides.

It’s just not a big issue for players, coaches and managers. Like I said, they like the options it gives them, but nobody’s complaining at 4 and 2. There’s not a GM out there who’s going to take a lessor player because of what handed he plays D.

If they thought Liljegren was a player they could use this year, and in the future, they would’ve 100% made the move for him, and figured out any roster moves later.

They also have Sergachev and Valimaki signed through next season on their left side so it's not like there was going to be a spot available for Liljegren on his off side either. Utah needed a pending UFA above all other considerations because their injured dmen will all be back next season at the latest.

 

[CanadienShark]

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

Zero chance you know how bad SJ's defence is.

 

[kevsh]

Man, some Leaf fans have such a weird persecution complex.

Unlike you I actually read the thread discussing proposed Liljegren trades.
Go have a look yourself and report back.

Persecution complex ... Man.

 

[The Hockey Tonk Man]

Nice deal for the Sharks.