Tribute Timothy Liljegren part 2

[JT AM da real deal]

Da key is fining da right balance between SPEED and SKILL, between VETS and ROOKS/KIDS, between DEFENDERS and ATTACKERS, between LINES and of course a $$$ playoff tender THEN mix with right COACH and right SYSTEMS and of course da CAP and ultimate goal is a CUP ... damn hard to do but that's da PLAN

 

[Leafed]

This isn’t about Dubas and the random defensemen he brings into the organization like all GM’s have to year to year.

I’m referring to a specific organizational focus on building defensively, such as David Poile’s entire career in Nashville (and Washington) which has been his strategy for the past 40 years. More often than not, they will pick a defenseman with a top puck even when their NHL blueline is bursting with high-quality defenseman. It’s just a different philosophy.

Sure but it's difficult to compare patterns between Nashville and Toronto because of how long each GM has been in charge. It's not the organizations that establish a way of operating as much as the individuals running them. M.O.'s don't carry over regime to regime. Dubas isn't making big identity bets on truculence nor is he enforcing a shave. Poile as a constant is an exception in the league.

 

[Stephen]

Sure but it's difficult to compare patterns between Nashville and Toronto because of how long each GM has been in charge. It's not the organizations that establish a way of operating as much as the individuals running them. M.O.'s don't carry over regime to regime. Dubas isn't making big identity bets on truculence nor is he enforcing a shave. Poile as a constant is an exception in the league.

I don't think Dubas is a determining factor in any of this, as my theory is actually that Toronto based teams like the Leafs and Jays build towards more offense as a big ticket, entertainment dollar thing. You'll notice the Jays have had two builds in recent years with big home run hitters, the Leafs have been geared towards offense since the Kessel days. It's about winning but it's also about entertainment.

Defense seems more important for a smaller market team that's concentrating its limited budget on one part of the roster, and defense doesn't cost as much as scoring. You make a bigger splash with 3-4 elite defensemen who are on more affordable deals than trying to get 3-4 elite forwards. I guess the baseball analogy would be developing a lot of homegrown pitching, similar to what the Tampa Bay Rays have done over the years.

Completely off topic, anyway back to Liljegren.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Capfriendly has him and the rest of the taxi squad guys assigned to the Marlies. Probably gets recalled after the all star break I'd assume.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I don't think Dubas is a determining factor in any of this, as my theory is actually that Toronto based teams like the Leafs and Jays build towards more offense as a big ticket, entertainment dollar thing. You'll notice the Jays have had two builds in recent years with big home run hitters, the Leafs have been geared towards offense since the Kessel days. It's about winning but it's also about entertainment.

Defense seems more important for a smaller market team that's concentrating its limited budget on one part of the roster, and defense doesn't cost as much as scoring. You make a bigger splash with 3-4 elite defensemen who are on more affordable deals than trying to get 3-4 elite forwards. I guess the baseball analogy would be developing a lot of homegrown pitching, similar to what the Tampa Bay Rays have done over the years.

Completely off topic, anyway back to Liljegren.

Interesting theory, I'm skeptical though. What the team is today is largely due to drafting Matthews, Marner and Nylander. Matthews was a no brainer, when they took Nylander I believe there was no Dman anywhere close in skill lever to even consider and while I suppose they could have taken Hanifin if they really wanted to emphasize defense instead of Marner, that would have been a huge mistake.

 

[Clyde Brewer]

I couldn't watch the game tonight but it looks like Liljegren got two assists tonight. That deserves a thread bump.

How did he look tonight?

 

[Maplebeasts]

I couldn't watch the game tonight but it looks like Liljegren got two assists tonight. That deserves a thread bump.

How did he look tonight?

He was excellent. Solid defensively, lead Leafs defensemen in xgf% at 5 on 5 and was second overall on the team. He also put up 2 assists. In his last 6 games he has 5 points and 8 in his last 14. He is also scoring at a 27 point/82 game pace while getting ZERO powerplay time and building his confidence offensively at the NHL level. He's a slam dunk top 4 defenseman right now on most teams.

 

[Funk21]

He was excellent. Solid defensively, lead Leafs defensemen in xgf% at 5 on 5 and was second overall on the team. He also put up 2 assists. In his last 6 games he has 5 points and 8 in his last 14. He is also scoring at a 27 point/82 game pace while getting ZERO powerplay time and building his confidence offensively at the NHL level. He's a slam dunk top 4 defenseman right now on most teams.

So we should trade him for Manson correct?.......

He has been a breath of fresh air. It was great to see by the end of the game Keefe had split up Muzzin and Holl. Liljegren is getting more and more confident. He is learning when to activate / Pinch and generally making good decisions. Every D man will make mistakes from time to time, main thing is it’s not happening all the time and Liljegren does have some great skill that when it does happen he can make up for it and prevent the puck from going in the goal. In an ideal world Dubas grabs a true top 4 RHD and gives both Sandin and Liljegren more time before pushing them up.

 

[Nylander88]

I've said it before on here...
If the Leafs make no Blueline moves, it should be Muzzin-Liljegren & Sandin-Holl.
For coming out of the draft as an offensive defenceman, the Leafs have sure developed him into a smart two-way D man. Doesn't seem to have anywhere near the brain farts you see out of Dermott, or even Sandin at times

 

[aingefan]

I’m about as pro-Lili as it gets.
He has one fumbled pass a game, one stumble a game, and about one bad-luck clear attempt, but the rest is tidying up nice.
His confidence is visibly growing. He stopped being shy about using his body about 10 games ago and is getting more and more physical one-on-one, clearing the net front, and along the boards. He’s realizing he’s strong. Plus, his pinches along the wall are effective and timely, leading to a few goals recently. Really like how his games emerging.

 

[Stigma]

I’m about as pro-Lili as it gets.
He has one fumbled pass a game, one stumble a game, and about one bad-luck clear attempt, but the rest is tidying up nice.
His confidence is visibly growing. He stopped being shy about using his body about 10 games ago and is getting more and more physical one-on-one and along eve boards. He’s realizing he’s strong. Plus, his pinches along the wall are strong, leading to a few goals recently

Yes, I've noticed that his mistakes are very fixable. Like the fumbled passes or back-luck clear attempts. Those are just his brain getting ahead of his body. Just needs better concentration on his hands at those moments. Or a quick, millisecond, attentional switch from the play to his hands. He'll get used to doing that with more experience in the fast-paced NHL. He sometimes also takes the body instead of the stick or vice versa. Again, that will be fixed with time. After being in situations like that 500 times, you'll instintively know what to do.

The man is looking great, overall!

 

[Sypher04]

5 points and a +9 in his last 6 games.

 

[TMLAM34]

These past 10 games have really shown his growth and development. He’s looking better and better each game. Love how he’s starting to use his body.

 

[Lemontree]

He has been very good and nice to have a competent right shot Dman. There should be no way in hell he is involved in a trade. They have something to build around with: Reilly, Brodie, Sandin and Liljegren. Muzzin will stay as a veteran partner for one of the kids.

If Dubas is going to "upgrade" the D at the deadline, its painfully obvious to some posters on here which spot needs to be upgraded and who (current roster player) shouldn't be involved in a deal to upgrade.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

I know he's been on a heater lately, but he's getting close to the type of 5 on 5 production that guys like Spurgeon / Ellis / Josi / Letang / Stralman put up in their age 22 seasons.

He and Sandin have been excellent this season.

 

[francis246]

He has been very good and nice to have a competent right shot Dman. There should be no way in hell he is involved in a trade. They have something to build around with: Reilly, Brodie, Sandin and Liljegren. Muzzin will stay as a veteran partner for one of the kids.

If Dubas is going to "upgrade" the D at the deadline, its painfully obvious to some posters on here which spot needs to be upgraded and who (current roster player) shouldn't be involved in a deal to upgrade.

there should be no player off limits in a deal to make us better. If we are receiving a legitimate top 4 d, especially one with term. Any player and prospect should be in play to help us win. We are in win now mode.

 

[stickty111]

I thought his game had slipped before the all star break, and he even said that himself. He's been really since the break though. Miscues here and there but overall him and Sandin have been terrific. It would be nice if Keefe could find some PP time sometimes but that would require going to a 2 d man set up which doesn't make sense with both units playing well.

 

[TheDoldrums]

our boy Tim is ahead of Zegras and Raymond in Goals Above Replacement lmao

 

[Morgs]

Someone speculated he could be down until March 2nd for cap space reasons? That can't possibly be true?

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Someone speculated he could be down until March 2nd for cap space reasons? That can't possibly be true?

that's just the earliest he could be called back up if the Leafs don't make any other moves. but we will probably see either Ritchie traded or Brooks waived again tomorrow so that Liljegren can play. If he misses even one game thanks to claiming Brooks, it would be a big whiff

 

[Griffin76]

our boy Tim is ahead of Zegras and Raymond in Goals Above Replacement lmao

GAR!!

 

[MoreMogilny]

that's just the earliest he could be called back up if the Leafs don't make any other moves. but we will probably see either Ritchie traded or Brooks waived again tomorrow so that Liljegren can play. If he misses even one game thanks to claiming Brooks, it would be a big whiff

Yes something else must be taking place here. You dont pull the rug out from under Liljegren when he’s been coming into his own as of late. He shouldn’t miss a game

 

[Super Mega]

i probably would have sent sandin down if they needed a waiver exempt

than run dermott on his strong side, hopefully more to come such a shame for lilly

 

[BertCorbeau]

Pretty sure it’s just a paper transaction

 

[thusk]

I will not go in the same way with liljegren, its my opinionand i know majority of you will not be agree... but what ive seen but personnolatly im more worry than happy with liljegren play.

Yeah in general he played good but he did some of really big positionning error. Against calgary his error cost a goal, he did it again 2 or 3 time against seattle. Its fine against 3rd-4th seattle line, so toronto get safe but doing the same mistake on playoff against a tampa of florida team, they will use that kind of mistake and thats can cost leafs playoff...

Maybe keefe seen something similar and thats why he not using him more than 13-15 minute/ games except if toronto already having a huge lead of if he doesn't have any other choice.