Indeed, Jake McCabe is the only defender on the Toronto Maple Leafs who can play defence, hit, and still be a top-four player. Morgan Rielly is still the team’s best defenseman.
Though the Leafs did add two new defensemen to their roster last week, Timothy Liljegren is the player who matters most.
To suggest that the entire season might depend on him would not be overly dramatic.
Never Can The Toronto Maple Leafs Rely on Scratch Liljegren, Timothy
Although the Leafs’ blue line has become more resilient, it is still immobile and ranks among the worst in the NHL when it comes to puck movement.
This is significant because offensive defensemen who effectively transition the puck up the ice reduce the need for teams to focus on defense. While having a top-notch defensive player is important, having a player who can move the puck well is crucial in preventing goals. Analytics has highlighted the importance of this skill in the game. Morgan Rielly excels at it, while Simon Benoit struggles. TJ Brodie, Joel Edmundson, Mark Giordano, and Ilya Lyubushkin fare poorly in this aspect, while Jake McCabe is subpar. Therefore, Rielly and Liljegren stand out, with Liljegren being a key player for the Leafs due to his puck-moving abilities and all-round defensive skills.
He is also their primary right-handed defenseman and significantly the most skilled one on the team.
There are various reasons why he should always be in the lineup, with his potential being the most significant factor. This season, he has shown considerable progress in becoming a top-tier player.
During Morgan Rielly’s absence, Liljegren stepped up on the top pair, showcasing impressive results with seven points in five games.
Many fans wrongly assumed Liljegren would be benched after a recent trade, showcasing a lack of understanding.
His defensive prowess and overall effectiveness make him invaluable to the Leafs this season, with statistics backing up his impact on the team.
With a positive contribution to playmaking and solid defensive abilities, the team heavily relies on him for success.
Despite facing some undeserved criticism, Liljegren’s on-ice performance speaks for itself, making it essential for him never to be scratched from the lineup.
All justifications regarding assets, prospects, draft choices, and the wage cap become moot when the Las Vegas Golden Knights manage to assemble a starting lineup that includes not one, not two, but three stars.
Regarding the game itself, it was as thrilling as the actual deadline.
