Sandin and Liljegren were teammates in the Leafs organization from 2018-2023.

For any player that gets traded, it can be a significant change in lifestyle in the NHL. Moving to a new city, adapting to a different system, and leaving behind teammates and familiar routines are all part of the transition.

Just ask former Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren, both of whom experienced this firsthand.

Ahead of the Leafs’ game against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, TSN’s Mark Masters spoke to Sandin before the teams hit the ice to discuss what it’s like seeing Liljegren embark on a fresh start with the San Jose Sharks.

“Yeah I think it’s good for him. I mean, I talk to him pretty often still. I talked to him yesterday, last night. It’s a little bit boring as well, I know he liked Toronto a lot, same for me,” Sandin explained. “We both loved our time there but unfortunately it didn’t work out this year.”

As mentioned, any major transition at the professional level poses its challenges. Only appearing in five games for the Sharks and being in San Jose for two weeks, it’s understandable the adjustment might feel “a little bit boring,” as Sandin described. Not to mention, the contrast between California and Canada is a novelty for him, quite different than what he’d grown accustomed to in Toronto.

Sandin and Liljegren, two defensemen bound by their Swedish ties, were teammates in the Leafs organization from 2018-2023 before Sandin was dealt to the Capitals ahead of the trade deadline. Sandin noted that leaving Toronto wasn’t easy. They had spent years developing in the organization, from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies to the Maple Leafs’ blue line.

Clearly, the two former first-round picks desired to make a lasting impact with the Leafs, and parting ways with the team – with each other – was bittersweet.

Liljegren was moved to the Sharks on October 30 for a conditional 2025 third-round pick, a 2026 sixth-round pick, and right-handed defenseman Matt Benning. General manager Brad Treliving explained on Monday that the move was in response to stiff competition on the Leafs’ blueline and a new opportunity for the 25-year-old. 

“But ultimately, like I said, he’d been sitting out for a while and we had some guys that put themselves ahead of him. I just felt that it was the right time and wanted to give Timmy an opportunity,” said Treliving.

Still, as Treliving expressed, Sandin echoed the same sentiment of optimism for Liljegren’s future in San Jose, where he anticipates he’ll have a bigger role and more opportunities at his avail.

“I think he’s going to get a huge role in San Jose and really get a fresh start as you said, but I’m happy for him and I think he’ll do great,” said Sandin.

So far, he’s right. Through five games with the Sharks, still in search of registering his first point, Liljegren has averaged 19:31 of total ice time – the second most of his career.

In six seasons at the NHL level, Liljegren has played in 215 regular season and postseason games combined, recording 14 goals, 52 assists, and 66 points.