Liljegren left the Maple Leafs' previous game Saturday after just 11:45 TOI due to an upper-body injury but will play Tuesday vs. Los Angeles. The 24-year-old defenseman has taken a positive stride forward in 2023-24 as he's averaging nearly a minute and a half more than his previous career-high TOI with his 19:12 TOI nightly and has an assist, and five SOG in eight games this season.
Liljegren has missed the first 11 games of the season with a groin injury that he suffered in the pre-season. Liljegren will replace Victor Mete in the lineup and skate on a pair with Morgan Rielly.
Head Coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed Wednesday that the plan is for Timothy Liljegran to make his debut Saturday after missing the early part of the season due to hernia surgery. The Maple Leafs will gladly welcome back their 2017 1st round pick (17th overall) who has picked up five goals, 24 points and a +11 plus/minus across 74 career games played across the last three seasons.
Liljegren underwent hernia surgery prior to training camp and being moved to LTIR means he will miss at least 10 games or 24 days. It also provides the Maple Leafs with some much needed salary relief.
Missing training camp puts Liljegren's status for the season opener in doubt and could add some pressure to the front office to get Rasmus Sandin (RFA) under contract. Liljegren played a combined 63 games with the Maple Leafs between the regular season and playoffs last season, totalling five goals and 18 assists (23 points).
Liljegren had an xGF% of 38.4 in the first two games of the series, so the Maple Leafs will shake up their third pair for Game 3. Justin Holl will replace him in the lineup.
Liljegren missed Sunday's game in Washington but is expected to play Tuesday vs. the Red Wings. Liljegren will replace Carl Dahlstrom, who was sent back to the AHL this morning.
Liljegren has played in seven straight games, picking up six assists in that span, but will come out of the lineup on Saturday. Travis Dermott will be back in to replace him.
After claiming Adam Brooks off of waivers from the Golden Knights, the Maple Leafs needed to clear a roster spot. They did so by sending Liljegren back to the Marlies, so look for Travis Dermott to replace him in the lineup on Thursday.
The Maple Leafs COVID-19 protocol list continues to grow, as they now have a total of eight players out. Liljegren will most likely miss Saturday's game vs. the Senators.
Liljegren has been a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace Travis Dermott in the lineup vs. Pittsburgh. Liljegren has picked up just one assist in 10 games this season.
Liljegren played in eight straight games but will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Rasmus Sandin will draw back into the lineup to replace him.
Liljegren was in the lineup on Saturday but will sit with Justin Holl (illness) returning to the lineup.
With Justin Holl out, Liljegren will make his season debut vs. the Senators. The 22-year-old, former first-round pick, Liljegren has one assist in 13 career NHL games.
