Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren is eager to start fresh with the San Jose Sharks.
A day after being traded for defenseman Matt Benning and two draft picks, Liljegren joined the Sharks’ media on a Zoom call to reflect on his time in Toronto and his new opportunity in San Jose. He shared that he first heard about the trade when Leafs GM Brad Treliving called him during dinner on Wednesday night.
“I was healthy all year, just didn’t get selected for games,” Liljegren commented on his limited chances under Leafs head coach Craig Berube, as reported by Mercury News’ Curtis Pashelka. “There was a lot of competition and strong defensemen, so things didn’t go as I’d hoped during camp. I wasn’t pleased with my play either.”
Liljegren had been the subject of trade rumors all offseason, with reports Thursday revealing that the Leafs had been exploring trade options for him over the summer but received little interest until the Sharks stepped up. His situation was complicated by Conor Timmins and Philippe Myers surpassing him on the depth chart, and he struggled to impress Berube enough to secure a regular role.
Appearing in just one game for the Leafs this season, Timothy Liljegren training camp performance fell short, and the impending return of Jani Hakanpaa further solidified the decision to move him. Reflecting on why things didn’t work out for Timothy Liljegren this season, Berube told reporters, “Looking back at training camp, I think other guys just outplayed him a bit. He’s got skill—he can skate and move the puck. I wish him the best, but it just didn’t work out here.”
Maple Leafs veterans Morgan Rielly and William Nylander expressed their disappointment in seeing Timothy Liljegren leave, wishing him well in San Jose. Though his time in Toronto ended unceremoniously, Timothy Liljegren looks back fondly on his Leafs tenure, as shown in a farewell post he shared on Instagram Wednesday night.
Now, with the trade behind him, Liljegren is ready to join a rebuilding Sharks squad and is relieved to have no issues with his work visa.
“I was excited,” Liljegren said. “It’s a young team with lots of talent. It’s been hectic since the call with packing and the flight, but I’m happy to be here and really excited.”
