5. Lou Lamoriello says Toronto?s first-rounder, Timothy Liljegren, will either play in the Swedish pro league or with the Marlies this season.
You have to believe the Marlies is the best choice here, although Liljegren is very close with his mom back home.
The defenceman admitted this week that it was difficult getting accustomed to the small North American ice. His career would be better served by playing in Toronto, where he can be overseen by the club that drafted him, skate on NHL-sized rinks, be forced to learn a more physical brand of hockey, and spend more time with skating coach Barb Underhill.
?Some stuff is totally new for me, so it?s hard to translate them into the game right away,? Liljegren said. ?I?m really trying to get away from my crossovers ? to go backwards in a straight line instead of doing crossovers.?