The Toronto Maple Leafs and defenseman Timothy Liljegren are parting ways. The team announced that Liljegren has been traded to the San Jose Sharks for defenseman Matt Benning, along with a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and a sixth-round pick in the 2026 Draft. Since the Sharks have third-round picks from the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche, Toronto will receive the highest of those picks.
At 25, Liljegren has participated in just one of Toronto’s 10 games this season, last playing two weeks ago against the Los Angeles Kings, where he logged 13:55 of ice time and blocked two shots. Philippe Myers has also appeared in one game, while Conor Timmins has played in the other eight on the third pairing.
Liljegren practiced as an extra on Wednesday, as reported by David Alter, editor of The Hockey News’ Maple Leafs site.
“We’re competitive and eager to play,” Liljegren stated to reporters after practice. “It’s a mental challenge to stay positive, but that’s my focus.”
Last season, he played 55 games, scoring three goals and providing 20 assists for a total of 23 points, averaging a career-high 19:40 of ice time. Over his 197 regular-season games with the Maple Leafs, he has accumulated 14 goals and 51 assists for 65 points. He also signed a two-year contract valued at $3 million per year on June 30.
Liljegren was drafted 17th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2017, just ahead of the Sharks, who selected current Senators center Josh Norris at No. 19. He is expected to receive more opportunities and ice time in San Jose, especially with Benning, another right-handed shot, playing on the third pair, while the other right defensemen in the lineup include Cody Ceci and Jan Rutta.
Benning, 30, is in the third year of a four-year contract with a $1.25 million cap hit. This season, he has played seven games, averaging 13:02 of ice time, with nine hits and 10 blocks but no points. His career-high of 24 points came during the 2022-23 season, although he missed most of last season due to hip surgery.
Selected 175th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2012 NHL draft, Benning has played 464 regular-season games across his career with the Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, and Sharks. He has recorded 17 goals, 85 assists, and 102 points over nine seasons.
With the third-round pick, the Leafs now have five selections for the 2025 draft, including one in the second, third, fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds.
