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2020 NHL Season: Grading the Toronto Maple Leafs’ right defense at season pause

By Simon Vacca

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Tyson Barrie #94 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Maple Leafs defeated the Coyotes 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 21: Tyson Barrie #94 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on November 21, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Maple Leafs defeated the Coyotes 3-1. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 18: Timothy Liljegren #37 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates in his 1st NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Scotiabank Arena on January 18, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blackhawks defeated the Maple Leafs 6-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 18: Timothy Liljegren #37 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates in his 1st NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Scotiabank Arena on January 18, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blackhawks defeated the Maple Leafs 6-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Timothy Liljegren

Games Played: 11
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Points: 1

Ever since the Maple Leafs selected Timothy Liljegren with the 17th pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the Swedish defenseman has been hyped as one of the organization’s blue liners of the future.

A steady force who offers poise with the puck — as well as decent defending without it — Liljegren made his NHL debut on Jan. 18 in a 6-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. He had previously played with the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, across portions of the 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 campaigns, respectively.

In just 11 matchups at hockey’s highest level, Liljegren has amassed one assist while averaging approximately 10 minutes and 18 seconds of ice time on a nightly basis. The fact that the 20-year-old has almost exclusively played in a sheltered role renders adequate analysis difficult to conduct. But signs of promise prevail, nonetheless.

At his worst, Liljegren has kept up with — if not been exposed against — his NHL opponents. At his best, the young defenseman has made healthy strides toward competing for a roster spot, providing good looks in the offensive zone and increasingly better coverage in his own end.

Look for Liljegren to further solidify a measure of consistency if Maple Leafs hockey is to resume.

Grade: B-

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