The Maple Leafs have reached an agreement to sign a former first-round draft pick.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have secured defenseman Timothy Liljegren for the upcoming seasons by agreeing to a new contract just before he became a free agent. Announced on June 30, the multi-year extension is valued at $3 million annually, as reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. This deal ensures Liljegren’s continuity with the Leafs despite earlier speculation about potential trade talks during the NHL draft period.
Selected by Toronto as the 17th overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft, Liljegren has steadily contributed to the team, amassing 14 goals and 51 points across 196 regular-season games since his debut. His recent season included 55 games played, during which he scored 3 goals and accumulated 23 points with a plus-3 plus-minus rating. In the playoffs against the Boston Bruins, he added 1 assist in six games.
The new contract positions Liljegren to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, underscoring the Leafs’ strategy to avoid arbitration and maintain financial prudence. Despite lacking trade protection in his new deal, the defenseman’s manageable cap hit and extended term make him a potentially valuable asset in future trade discussions, depending on Toronto’s free agency decisions.
Speculation persists regarding Liljegren’s future role with the team, contingent on the Leafs’ maneuvers during free agency. Analysts suggest his marketability as a trade piece has likely increased with this extension, offering Toronto flexibility to explore roster enhancements as needed.
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