'He Should Be A Good Puck Mover': What The Maple Leafs Are Expecting From Timothy Liljegren In His Season Debut Against Kings
Toronto has reportedly looked for a landing spot for Liljegren but also likes how much depth they have on defense.
Timothy Liljegren hasn't played a regular season game this year, but that all changes on Wednesday against the LA Kings.
The 25-year-old skated alongside Simon Benoit during the team's practice on Monday and Tuesday, signalling his return to the lineup on Wednesday. He's been a healthy scratch since the beginning of the season after Conor Timmins leapfrogged him in the lineup.
But when he takes to the ice against the Kings, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube hopes to see the game that's made the defenseman successful over the last few years.
"He has ability, right? Skating, moving the puck, and things like that. He should be a good puck mover. It's just about him managing his game and managing his puck movement and making good decisions with it, not risky ones. Just simplify," he said.
"And then you gotta win your battles, right? As a defenceman, it's important that you're defending well and you're strong in your net front and you're winning those board battles and corner battles and things like that. He's gotta do that."
Liljegren was fairly critical of himself a few days before the start of the regular season. He admitted that there hadn't been much flow to his game during the pre-season, resulting in his shift down the lineup.
The defenseman said after practice on Monday that it hasn't been easy watching games from the press box.
"Yeah, no, not fun not playing, but I’ve been trying to come in, work as hard as I can to get back in the lineup,” Liljegren said after Monday’s practice. “We’ll see what happens, but that’s my approach. I talked to Chief and it’s more like playing a little easier, like a simpler game. That’s it. Play hard. Hard and simple."
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But his teammates — one of whom is Mitch Marner, who's been with Liljegren since the defender joined the Maple Leafs — are excited to see the Swede back in the team's lineup on Wednesday.
"I'm excited to watch him. Obviously, Timmy's been here a long time. He's a guy that's the same kind of way, always calm, cool and collected, and that's something you love to see out of him. He's taken this as great as you can. Obviously, every guy wants to be in the lineup as much as you can every single night," Marner said.
"I think he's done a good job of just working extremely hard in the gym, on the ice, just trying to get better and better — when he does get this opportunity — to be at his best. So I'm excited to watch him tonight. He can make some awesome plays. He's done a good job defending recently and I'm excited to watch him tonight."
Even Nick Robertson, who's had his fair share of ups and downs around lineup decisions, says he believes Liljegren has handled his time out of the lineup well.
"I mean, he's a great player, great guy. I think, obviously, I've been in the same situation of being out in the lineup too, before. He's handling it great. I'm excited for him to get back in the lineup. I'm sure he's excited as well."
There have been reports that the Maple Leafs were searching for a landing spot for Liljegren earlier this season. The organization also likes the depth they have in the position.
Liljegren signed a two-year, $6 million contract, that carries an annual average value of $3 million, on June 30.
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