Good morning/afternoon/evening. Wherever you are reading this thread. I am about to do a deep dive into Liljegren's game and predict what he could develop into based on what he showed in his (some people call it) "tragic" NHL stint this year. Lets go!

Who Liljegren is? Barely 21 year old right shot defenseman from Sweden, drafted 17th overall in 2017 NHL Draft. Super young still developing two-way defenseman. But he wasn't that prototypical two-way defenseman on draft day. He was purely offensive D who had no defensive game.

He had unusual post-draft development. He wasn't playing in OHL or continuing in Rögle in SHL. He was put right into AHL and he fare well for an offensive defenseman who was 18 years old for most of the season and played 3rd pairing AHL minutes. They won a title that year.

Now.. coming into his second year, Leafs wanted him to sacrifice some of the offense and use his already built-in skills and re-make Liljegren's defensive game. So they did. They spent last two years recreating his game into the one of a two-way defenseman. And its so far success

In his short stint on NHL level playing literally nothing minutes, he showed glimpses of what he is about to be and I would break it down for ya. There are three main components to his defensive game which Leafs would build on in next couple years in his development.

1) Liljegren has exceptional defensive gap.

In clip below, we have two examples (vs. BUF & vs. LAK) of him using his gap in tight defensive situations where he forces the game outside instead of waiting for opposition to take a next step and maybe block a shot or make

a different type of last-resort defensive play which most Leafs Dman do. He doesnt wait on anything, closes the defensive gap and forces the game to the outside into less danger area where the next step of his game is, which we would talk about later. Another example of his D gap

and his awareness defensively is shown in this clip of three plays against Arizona, Dallas and Chicago. In first one, he forces opponent (Hinostroza) on the outside and with his light physical closing of the gap forces a turnover for Sandin to pick up. This is the one clip I have

slight problem in with his positioning and efficiency of his movement. Next time, Sandin might not be there and might be further and thats a clear chance for Arizona's forwards. I would prefer him to just force the turnover of Hinostroza with his active stick and just circle back

with possession. Thats experience. In two clips after, his gap control is shown beating Hintz along the boards and quickly reading play of Chicago forwards. His toolset is great, however he needs some experience with NHL level timing to really settle his game on big boy level.

He is used to AHL timing which is a bit slower than in NHL and most young defenseman transitioning from AHL (or other leagues) to NHL need couple of games of regular ice-time to figure it out. Liljegren is no exception. But at age 21, he is on path right into top-4 of Leafs.

2) His defensive play along the boards.

In clip below (from Tampa game), he is battling against Barclay Goodrow and Tyler Johnson and keeping possession along the boards, cutting any chance of possible cycle being established in defensive zone. He is able to maintain this

"possession" along the boards with his strength and movement. Another example of this part of this game is in corner battle with Barclay Goodrow later in game where he actually stops the beginnings of an offensive zone cycle. He is not scared of battling along the boards

which is a positive sign for future as you want your defensemen to do those things on regular basis. He is doing exactly what you teach your defensively reliable Dmen to do. Not just pass the puck further behind the net like some Dmen on Leafs do. That is just making sure that

the opposition has a) a target to hit on boards with hard forecheck, possibly damaging your Dmen b) higher chance of establishing a cycle in your own zone.

You want neither of those things and with what Liljegren is doing in those areas, he is making sure none of it happens.

3) his puck skills, confidence and patience on puck.

In clip below, you can see him making a pass through his own high danger scoring area (something I dont often like) to his forward on blue line. This shows his confidence, patience and abilities on the puck. When he doesnt

rush the puck and doesnt force the situation (he finds himself out of position at some points if he does), his defensive zone passing, outlet passing and zone exits are a thing of perfection. And that's on NHL level. This is just the usage of his offensive skills in other areas.

Leafs would build on those three things and the should. He is excellent young two-way Dman prospect and if they continue to build on those strong foundations, they would get a top-4 Dman. Liljegren is capable of doing it. Would the Leafs give him chance? I believe so.

They already talk about him as a player who is in their words (Keefe, Dubas) "an exemplary player we want to show other young prospects clips of to help their development". There are these small things in his game that show just how big of a potential there is.

For me, as a scout, seeing that he uses his skills to develop in other areas of his game and the results of his development showcases the intention of coaches, Leafs development staff and Timothy himself to be the best version of a modern two-way defenseman as he can possibly be.

He has played just over 11 minutes a night on NHL level. A defenseman in need of acclimatization to NHL level on NHL level needs ice time with experienced Dman to quide his way through first 10-20 games. Which is why I believe him and Muzzin should play together.

Not only would that provide Muzzin a partner who is skilled with all around capabilities but also would provide Leafs with another PK D option faster. Liljegren just needs a playing time and Muzzin as his partner and he would grow into that prototypical Leafs Dman you all want

to trade Nylanders and Kapanens of the world for. At some point, you just gotta let the guy play and let him figure it out and with way he carried Marlies defense since age 19 I believe his transition would be quicker than probably even coaches think.

Some of you people have never seen a defensively reliable defenseman develop and it shows. Parayko started in NHL at 22yo, Pesce's first season would be what Liljegren's next year would be.. you don't get defensively reliable Dman from playing him 11 minutes a night...

Whether you agree with me or not, that is on you. I just presented you the facts from his NHL stint and what I see in his game that makes me believe he is gonna be important piece on Leafs' blueline.

Cheers.