Tribute Timothy Liljegren Discussion Thread

[Apex Predator]

I can’t believe people want to throw Liljegren to the top 4.

I think the best move with him is to rotate him with Sandin. Let him get comfortable and play good on the bottom pair. Let him force himself into an opportunity to a top 4.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

I can’t believe people want to throw Liljegren to the top 4.

I think the best move with him is to rotate him with Sandin. Let him get comfortable and play good on the bottom pair. Let him force himself into an opportunity to a top 4.

He's played better than any of Holl/Sandin/Dermott in camp.

It's also more about Muzzin than Liljegren. Muzzin has the ability to carry any pairing he is on, even in tough matchups. Why waste an opportunity to let a 22 year old defensemen who is already good defensively settle into that role on a 31 year old plug and play guy?

Eventually Muzzin and Brodie will have to move on/age. We need Liljegren to replace one of them eventually and you need to take advantage of the opportunity to mentor this guy properly.

 

[kb]

He's played better than any of Holl/Sandin/Dermott in camp.

It's also more about Muzzin than Liljegren. Muzzin has the ability to carry any pairing he is on, even in tough matchups. Why waste an opportunity to let a 22 year old defensemen who is already good defensively settle into that role on a 31 year old plug and play guy?

Eventually Muzzin and Brodie will have to move on/age. We need Liljegren to replace one of them eventually and you need to take advantage of the opportunity to mentor this guy properly.

This is how you develop D-men properly. Put a rook with a top vet, and let them learn.

 

[nobody]

He's played better than any of Holl/Sandin/Dermott in camp.

It's also more about Muzzin than Liljegren. Muzzin has the ability to carry any pairing he is on, even in tough matchups. Why waste an opportunity to let a 22 year old defensemen who is already good defensively settle into that role on a 31 year old plug and play guy?

Eventually Muzzin and Brodie will have to move on/age. We need Liljegren to replace one of them eventually and you need to take advantage of the opportunity to mentor this guy properly.

This post nails it. Justin Holl is 29 and hasn't really moved the needle in the top 4 next to Muzzin. Without Muzzin, he looks atrocious. We've given Dermott a shot next to Muzzin and he's played okay but still not the best since he has to play his off-side. Lilly to me is the perfect fit for that top 4 RD spot next to Muzzin because of what he brings. His physicality, skating, defensive abilities and risk free game allows Muzzin to be the one who can pinch up in the plays knowing that he has a steady partner back there holding it down. With Holl-Muzzin right now, Muzzin is forced to play more conservatively and doesn't utilize his skillset to its fullest because Justin Holl has a tendency to go roaming around in the offensive zone and that leads to breakdowns and oddman rushes the other way. That pairing has also been used as our "shutdown" pairing but doesn't always do the best job shutting it down. Muzzin - Lilly IMO would be a true lockdown pair.

If Rielly walks, I think it might be a good idea to build the defense around Sandin and add good defensive/physical D-men and move Holl for a pick/ prospect.

Brodie - Pulock
Muzzin - Lilly
Sandin - Manson
Dermott

 

[Apex Predator]

He's played better than any of Holl/Sandin/Dermott in camp.

It's also more about Muzzin than Liljegren. Muzzin has the ability to carry any pairing he is on, even in tough matchups. Why waste an opportunity to let a 22 year old defensemen who is already good defensively settle into that role on a 31 year old plug and play guy?

Eventually Muzzin and Brodie will have to move on/age. We need Liljegren to replace one of them eventually and you need to take advantage of the opportunity to mentor this guy properly.

It comes down to how much stock do you put into pre season. He’s played good and earned a spot on the team. I’m not ready to give him too 4 yet. I’m not saying it can’t happen this year I just think start him bottom pair and let him move his way up.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

What’s this rover you speak of? Has the nhl gone back to 6 skaters aside?

I don't think so .. my point was Barrie only lined up on defense for face offs .. after that all he wants to do is play offense

 

[DarkKnight]

It comes down to how much stock do you put into pre season. He’s played good and earned a spot on the team. I’m not ready to give him too 4 yet. I’m not saying it can’t happen this year I just think start him bottom pair and let him move his way up.

Put no stock in it, the hockey hasn’t looked anything like real world to date. Last night was dreadful D, horrible coverage and pedestrian offence. Why do we do this every year?

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

It comes down to how much stock do you put into pre season. He’s played good and earned a spot on the team. I’m not ready to give him too 4 yet. I’m not saying it can’t happen this year I just think start him bottom pair and let him move his way up.

If it doesn't work you can always throw Holl back into that spot, but you need to try it.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

This is how you develop D-men properly. Put a rook with a top vet, and let them learn.

That's how Muzzin actually broke in as well. Rob Scuderi and Robyn Regehr were the two vet rocks on that back end and they both took Muzzin under their wings at times.

By the time they moved on he was ready for a bigger role. Liljegrens upside is much higher than Muzzins ever was, and I hope we give him a shot.

 

[Stephen]

Bryan Hayes is reading Liljegren the riot act on Overdrive this afternoon saying he’s running out of chances to prove himself as the 7th D. Just want to reiterate how out of date these talking points and how solid he looks in camp. So much bad information out there.

 

[Maplebeasts]

Bryan Hayes is reading Liljegren the riot act on Overdrive this afternoon saying he’s running out of chances to prove himself as the 7th D. Just want to reiterate how out of date these talking points and how solid he looks in camp. So much bad information out there.

I wish I was paid to talk about things I am clueless about.

 

[Menzinger]

He's played better than any of Holl/Sandin/Dermott in camp.

It's also more about Muzzin than Liljegren. Muzzin has the ability to carry any pairing he is on, even in tough matchups. Why waste an opportunity to let a 22 year old defensemen who is already good defensively settle into that role on a 31 year old plug and play guy?

Eventually Muzzin and Brodie will have to move on/age. We need Liljegren to replace one of them eventually and you need to take advantage of the opportunity to mentor this guy properly.

Longer term the solution is definitely for that to (hopefully) happen.

That said , it doesn't mean it has to start at the beginning of this season

I.think Lily had a pretty good preseason so far. Though that doesn't suddenly leapfrog him ahead of Holl who just had an entire season of solid play alongside Muzzin

 

[yubbers]

I wish I was paid to talk about things I am clueless about.

Should've majored in journalism

 

[Ziggdiezan]

I think/hope we will see the following on opening night:

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Dermott-Liljegren

No need to rush Lily to the matchup pairing. Let him get acclimatized to the bottom pairing to start the season and then he can start to push up into Holl's spot if he looks good as the season progresses. Plus Muzzin-Holl have been an excellent pairing.

Sandin could still learn the defensive/physical (mainly skating) side of the game in the AHL so I dont think an extra half a year would stunt his development (maybe Dermott moved at TDL if Sandin looks excellent in the AHL/callups?)

 

[LeafParade]

I think/hope we will see the following on opening night:

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Dermott-Liljegren

No need to rush Lily to the matchup pairing. Let him get acclimatized to the bottom pairing to start the season and then he can start to push up into Holl's spot if he looks good as the season progresses. Plus Muzzin-Holl have been an excellent pairing.

Sandin could still learn the defensive/physical (mainly skating) side of the game in the AHL so I dont think an extra half a year would stunt his development (maybe Dermott moved at TDL if Sandin looks excellent in the AHL/callups?)

This is what I am going with too. Let Lijegren push out Holl from the Top 4 but don't throw him in the deep end yet. Same goes for Dermot, these 2 have to show they can push up into the top 4 first before being gift wrapped one of those spots.

Once someone dislodges Holl from the top 4, they can look into potentially trading him down the road. They need to figure out what they have with these two before incorporating Sandin. Leave Sandin in the AHL for now because he still has things to work on.

 

[Funk21]

I think it is unrealistic to expect Liljegren to jump into a top4 role this year. Yes he played great last night but that was against Montreal AHL squad

I think Liljegren will be a solid top4 Dman after ~70 games or so

I don’t think it is as he is the number 4 and will likely not play PK unless Holl really is terrible. He will get his feet wet with 15-17 mins a night playing with a steady vet and as his confidence grows and the coaching staff feel more confidence in him and his game he will morph into the player we envisioned him to be. Kid needs the runway to explore his game and build his confidence without the fear of being yanked out of the game or sat.

 

[stickty111]

Overdrive guys showing again they are clueless on Liljegren.

 

[Stephen]

Overdrive guys showing again they are clueless on Liljegren.

I hope someone on that show is reading this. It's a completely outdated hot take and they shouldn't be beating that drum so loudly. Liljegren looks like a serviceable every day NHL defenseman (with upside).

 

[Stephen]

Longer term the solution is definitely for that to (hopefully) happen.

That said , it doesn't mean it has to start at the beginning of this season

I.think Lily had a pretty good preseason so far. Though that doesn't suddenly leapfrog him ahead of Holl who just had an entire season of solid play alongside Muzzin

I wonder if it's enough to leapfrog Dermott? Dermott is a guy they keep talking about playing on the off wing side on the third pairing, but it looks like you could just as well replace him with Sandin on the LHD and have Liljegren or Menell as real RHD on the third pair. You could make an argument that promoting three guys at once might not make sense, but Dermott isn't exactly a savvy veteran and safe choice either.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

TSN has a long track record of shitting on Liljegren. OverDrive guys of course but Button has had it out for him for years too.

 

[nuck]

I hope someone on that show is reading this. It's a completely outdated hot take and they shouldn't be beating that drum so loudly. Liljegren looks like a serviceable every day NHL defenseman (with upside).

I don't know for myself if I believe that yet, but he has 200 pro games under his belt so the club needs to know, and they won't if they leave him in the kiddie pool. They didn't rotate the D at all last year and Bogo is gone as is Lehtonen so there is an opportunity.

 

[LeafParade]

I wonder if it's enough to leapfrog Dermott? Dermott is a guy they keep talking about playing on the off wing side on the third pairing, but it looks like you could just as well replace him with Sandin on the LHD and have Liljegren or Menell as real RHD on the third pair. You could make an argument that promoting three guys at once might not make sense, but Dermott isn't exactly a savvy veteran and safe choice either.

Dermot is a very safe bet for the 3rd LHD. He just hasn't really proven he is top 4 yet.
If they want to throw Lily in the 3rd pair with him, it is isn't something to sweat about.

I am much more comfortable with a Dermot-Lily 3rd pairing to start than having Dermot play his wrong side with Sandin. It is also simply better man management at this point. If Lilly shows he belongs and Dermot doesn't show improvement, you can then deal Dermot at a later point and promote Sandin. If Menell makes it through waivers by some miracle, it just gives them another solid option to ponder.

 

[mapleleaf979]

Bryan Hayes is reading Liljegren the riot act on Overdrive this afternoon saying he’s running out of chances to prove himself as the 7th D. Just want to reiterate how out of date these talking points and how solid he looks in camp. So much bad information out there.

Wrong. Liljegren is on his 5th year and is not over groomed, its his suspect decision making, hockey sense. 95% of Leaf fans have no idea how to judge a players hockey sense. Chime in when Liljegren exposes himself and talk about it in the same way, please.

 

[ottomaddox]

Let's not get carried away.

The overdrive panel didn't rip Liljegren to pieces. Also he's not as good as people are saying he is.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

Wrong. Liljegren is on his 5th year and is not over groomed, its his suspect decision making, hockey sense. 95% of Leaf fans have no idea how to judge a players hockey sense. Chime in when Liljegren exposes himself and talk about it in the same way, please.

Well I've been watching him live and on tV for the past 3 years on the Marlies and he is easily one of the best D men in the league. He rarely makes mistakes in transition, poised under pressure, good gap control. When he first started in the AHL he was prone to making the odd bad pass on a low percentage play. I dont see those very often anymore. My only real criticism of him is he could do a better job of getting his shots through to the net sometimes.

He was too good for the AHL last year and shouldve been an NHLer. The only reason he didnt get more opportunity was because we had Brodie, Holl and Bogo occupying the right side and they were mostly healthy all year. He is better than Sandin overall right now and I would say it is Sandin who is the one who has questionable decision making, as we've seen in the playoffs this past season.

I dont recall Lilly making any bad plays this preseason. I saw a guy who was sound defensively, won puck battles and moved the puck really well. He is only 22 and if he had been a Canadian born player playing in the OHL, he would be going into his what 3rd AHL season? But because he was a Euro that came over early, people like Hayes have these crazy expectations that he should be an NHL regular or he is a bust by age 21. This kid could become a Trevor Daley and we would look foolish to give up on him so early.