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.”