Leafs Trade Timothy Liljegren to SJ for Matt Benning, 2025 3rd, 2026 6th

[herman]

For a front office that is confident that Hakanpaa will be fine and effective, they sure did pick up a LOT of Hakanpaa insurance (who was Tanev insurance to begin with).

But I don't mind this trade. It's more than I expected at this point, but less than it probably should have been if it was dealt with in the offseason. We won't be spending picks at the deadline for defensive depth anymore, so at least there's that! Treliving is hit or miss like most GMs, but he has shown he knows how to put together effective Defense corps.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1851834943342580136

“He’s always been on alert somehow; he’s always needed to prove himself (to the Leafs),” explained Peter Wallen, Liljegren’s longtime agent, shortly after the deal was announced Wednesday evening. “We always felt they didn’t really, really like him. They liked him. But they didn’t love him. I don’t know.

“It’s been tough. But that’s why I don’t understand because he’s been really grinding it out (trying to get better). I don’t get why they didn’t want to keep going with him.”

 

[Bender]

For a front office that is confident that Hakanpaa will be fine and effective, they sure did pick up a LOT of Hakanpaa insurance (who was Tanev insurance to begin with).

But I don't mind this trade. It's more than I expected at this point, but less than it probably should have been if it was dealt with in the offseason. We won't be spending picks at the deadline for defensive depth anymore, so at least there's that! Treliving is hit or miss like most GMs, but he has shown he knows how to put together effective Defense corps.

I was going to say I think people are forgetting the need for both draft capital and ammunition for deadline acquisitions, and this checks both boxes.

 

[Bender]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1851834943342580136

That's nice of his agent to say but I think we all understand why the Leafs moved off of him.

Also I just wanted to add the critics love having it both ways. If he turns out to be something in a few years, they gave up on a guy that was useful. If he turns out to be nothing oh this should've been done last year when he was still worth more.

 

[ZBBM]

Yeah. That turned out to be pretty good

Based on his vast NHL experience to date, I presume?

 

[cabber24]

Yeah. That turned out to be pretty good

Only one defensman on the team was drafted by the Leafs.

For a front office that is confident that Hakanpaa will be fine and effective, they sure did pick up a LOT of Hakanpaa insurance (who was Tanev insurance to begin with).

But I don't mind this trade. It's more than I expected at this point, but less than it probably should have been if it was dealt with in the offseason. We won't be spending picks at the deadline for defensive depth anymore, so at least there's that! Treliving is hit or miss like most GMs, but he has shown he knows how to put together effective Defense corps.

They better start the load management routine if they want the whole core available come playoff time. Anyone goes down and they need two of Benning, Benoit, Myers, and Timmins I think we're in trouble.

 

[bustaheims]

Based on his vast NHL experience to date, I presume?

Well, it's not like Sandin has exactly been lighting it up for Washington. He's been . . . okay.

 

[azzurri63]

Another player given away in my opinion. Robertson will be next. He's not worse than any of Timmins, Myers or even Benoit but couldn't get in the lineup. Getting away from the limelight will benefit him.