Liljegren is a surprise scratch for Thursday's game as the team gave no indications of a potential injury prior to warmups. His absence makes way for the return to Giordano (concussion), and Connor Timmins will likely move up to the top power-play unit in his place.
Liljeren has been producing while eating big minutes on the Maple Leafs' blueline lately, scoring seven points (0G / 7A) in his last six games while averaging 22:31 time-on-ice before his injury. The defenseman was forced to leave Toronto's game vs. Colorado on Saturday due to an undisclosed injury and will miss his second straight contest on Thursday night against the Arizona Coyotes.
Liljeren has been producing while eating big minutes on the Maple Leafs' blueline lately, scoring seven points (0G / 7A) in his last six games while averaging 22:31 time-on-ice after averaging only 17:36 in his previous 10 games. The defenseman was forced to leave Toronto's game vs. Colorado on Saturday due to an undisclosed injury and will be a game-time decision on Tuesday after missing practice.
Liljegren played only 4:49 before falling awkwardly into the boards after getting tangled up with Bruins' forward Brad Marchand. Liljegren left the game with a lower-body injury and the early update from Sheldon Keefe did not sound promising as he will likely "miss significant time." In 10 games this season, Liljegren has one point (0G / 1A), 18 blocks, and six hits.
Liljegren left the Maple Leafs' previous game Saturday after just 11:45 TOI due to an upper-body injury but will play Tuesday vs. Los Angeles. The 24-year-old defenseman has taken a positive stride forward in 2023-24 as he's averaging nearly a minute and a half more than his previous career-high TOI with his 19:12 TOI nightly and has an assist, and five SOG in eight games this season.
Liljegren has missed the first 11 games of the season with a groin injury that he suffered in the pre-season. Liljegren will replace Victor Mete in the lineup and skate on a pair with Morgan Rielly.
Head Coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed Wednesday that the plan is for Timothy Liljegran to make his debut Saturday after missing the early part of the season due to hernia surgery. The Maple Leafs will gladly welcome back their 2017 1st round pick (17th overall) who has picked up five goals, 24 points and a +11 plus/minus across 74 career games played across the last three seasons.
Liljegren underwent hernia surgery prior to training camp and being moved to LTIR means he will miss at least 10 games or 24 days. It also provides the Maple Leafs with some much needed salary relief.
Missing training camp puts Liljegren's status for the season opener in doubt and could add some pressure to the front office to get Rasmus Sandin (RFA) under contract. Liljegren played a combined 63 games with the Maple Leafs between the regular season and playoffs last season, totalling five goals and 18 assists (23 points).
Liljegren had an xGF% of 38.4 in the first two games of the series, so the Maple Leafs will shake up their third pair for Game 3. Justin Holl will replace him in the lineup.
Liljegren missed Sunday's game in Washington but is expected to play Tuesday vs. the Red Wings. Liljegren will replace Carl Dahlstrom, who was sent back to the AHL this morning.
