Timothy Liljegren, a former Toronto Maple Leafs first-round pick, signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals. Drafted in 2017 at #17 after being projected as a top-10 selection, he was expected to become a top-pairing defenseman but did not establish himself with Toronto. After limited NHL action and a contract extension in 2024, the Maple Leafs ended their relationship with him. Toronto traded him to the San Jose Sharks, and the Sharks later sent him to Washington at the trade deadline for a 2026 fourth-round pick. In Washington, he joins Rasmus Sandin, and both aim to regain the promise once expected from their early careers.
"The 27-year-old signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Liljegren was the Maple Leafs first-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. The right-shot blueliner was once considered a top-10 pick. However, a tough draft year hurt his stock. He eventually landed on Toronto's lap at #17 that year."
"After playing just one game for the Maple Leafs following a puzzling contract extension in 2024 from Brad Treliving (gasps in shock), the organization cut ties with Liljegren. To Treliving's credit, he fleeced the San Jose Sharks, getting veteran defenseman Matt Benning and two draft picks for the Swedish blueliner."
"The Sharks sent Liljegren to the Capitals at this year's trade deadline for a 2026 fourth-round pick. In DC, he joined another former Maple Leafs first-round defenseman, Rasmus Sandin. The duo has rekindled the promise they offered Toronto at one point."
"Liljegren is naught more than a depth defenseman at this point in his career. But he will get one more kick at the NHL can. If he can prove he can really blend with the Capitals, he might just get one multi-year deal before his playing days are done."
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