The San Jose Sharks wasted no time looking to improve their team early in the season.
After a rough start to the season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Timothy Liljegren was available on the trade market. The Sharks completed a deal for the Swedish defenseman that included Matt Benning and draft capital moving north of the border.
The 2017 first-round pick got news of the trade while he was preparing dinner, saying, “I got a call from Tree (Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving) last night about dinner time. I was cooking my dinner. He told me I was getting traded and it was going to the Sharks, so I was excited.
The 25-year-old defenseman brings offensive skill to a blueline that desperately needs help in that area. Last season, the Sharks acquired Calen Addison from the Minnesota Wild in an effort to fill their need for a puck-moving defenseman, and he never seemed like a good fit for San Jose.
This time, San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier went with a more established player. Liljegren played parts of six seasons in the NHL, but played just one game for the Maple Leafs this season.
Liljegren never seemed to establish a strong foundation with the Maple Leafs during training camp and early in the season. Toronto desperately tried to improve its defense over the summer, and with additions like Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and others, there was seemingly no room for Liljegren.
“We had a lot of competition, a lot of good D and things didn’t really go my way in camp. I wasn’t really playing my best hockey either, so I wasn’t happy with how I was playing,” Liljegren said before adding, “I’m happy to be here and get some confidence back.”
During his media presence, Liljegren emphasized that he is healthy and that it was simply a matter of the coaching staff, led by new head coach Craig Berube, not selecting him into the lineup. Liljegren has played just one Leafs game this year. When asked if Berube gave him a fair chance?
“I am healthy. (I’ve been) healthy all year, but I just didn’t get picked for the games, I guess. It was a bit difficult, but that’s in the past now and I’m looking forward to being a Shark.”
Last season under Sheldon Keefe, Liljegren had 23 points in 55 games, tying his career high. However, based on points per game, this was the best of his career. Previously, it took him 61 games to reach the same point total during the 2021-2022 season. His defensive game may need some work, but he will certainly help add a touch of offense from the blueline, which is exactly what the Sharks need.
Liljegren continually expressed how excited he is to join the Sharks. While that’s a cliché statement for a player joining a new organization, when repeated six times in quick succession it seems like the truth rather than just another cliché response.
Part of the reason for Liljegren’s excitement is that he’s joining some familiar faces. “I played with Grundy (Carl Grundstrom) at the Marlies and won the Calder Cup, so I know him very well. Obviously I played with (Cody) Ceci. And then know (Fabian Zetterlund) also pretty good, from the World Juniors national team. It’s definitely nice to have some friendly faces.”
During his time with Toronto, Liljegren also spent time with San Jose Sharks legends Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton, who he said had nothing but praise for the city. “(I) know Jumbo and Patty, kind of from Toronto, and they said they loved it here, so obviously legends in the organization.”
Despite not being in the lineup against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night, Liljegren concluded his availability by making it clear he is ready to play whenever the opportunity presents itself. ‘I’ll be ready when they call my name. Practice tomorrow, see how that goes, and then I guess we’ll see from there.