Timothy Liljegren was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday. In exchange, Toronto acquired defenseman Matt Benning, a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Sharks hold 2025 third-round picks from both the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche, with the Maple Leafs receiving the earlier of the two.
Liljegren, a 25-year-old defenseman, appeared in just one of Toronto’s 10 games this season, following a 23-point (three goals, 20 assists) campaign in 55 games last year. He also recorded one assist in six Stanley Cup Playoff games. Drafted 17th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2017 NHL Draft, he has accumulated 65 points (14 goals, 51 assists) over 197 regular-season games and one assist in 13 playoff games.
“Things didn’t go as I hoped in Toronto this year, and I didn’t get much playing time,” Liljegren said Thursday. “I’m really excited to be here and hope to get more opportunities to play and develop my game.”
“I was excited. It’s a young, talented team with a lot of potential. It’s been a bit stressful with packing and the flight, but I’m happy to be here.”
“I’ll be ready whenever they call me up. I’ve got practice tomorrow, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Toronto head coach Craig Berube noted that a change of environment might be beneficial for Liljegren.
“Looking back at training camp, I think other guys just outperformed him a little,” Berube said. “He’s got the skill, he can skate, and he can move the puck. I wish him the best, but it just didn’t work out here.”
Benning, 30, has yet to record any points in seven games this season with San Jose. Drafted by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round (No. 175) of the 2012 NHL Draft, he has 102 points (17 goals, 85 assists) in 464 regular-season games for the Sharks, Oilers, and Nashville Predators, plus five assists in 24 playoff games.
Toronto (5-4-1), which snapped a three-game losing streak with a 6-4 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, will host the Seattle Kraken on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; TSN4, KONG, KING 5, KHN).
San Jose (2-7-2), following its first two wins of the season — a 5-4 overtime victory at the Utah Hockey Club on Monday and a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday — will host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday (10:30 p.m. ET; CHSN, NBCSCA, SN360, SN).
