Toronto Maple Leafs: Timothy Liljegren taken in the CHL Import Draft
By Austin Owens
Timothy Liljegren has options on his hands for next season as he is taken early in the 2017 CHL Import Draft.
After being taken 17th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs under a week ago, Timothy Liljegren has been drafted again — this time by the Niagara Ice Dogs.
The Swedish defender was taken 12th overall in the 2017 CHL Import Draft.
With the 12th overall pick, your #IceDogs have selected @MapleLeafs prospect Timothy Liljegren (Rögle BK)! #CHLImportDraft #WelcomeToTheDogs pic.twitter.com/Y19DQbq4zu
— Niagara IceDogs (@OHLIceDogs) June 28, 2017
The Import Draft can be hit or miss for teams, with some players electing to stay overseas to play. Last year, both Klim Kostin and Eeli Tolvanen decided against playing in the CHL, while first-overall pick Nico Hischier came over to play in Halifax.
It looks unlikely, however, that Liljegren will be a member of the Ice Dogs come next season.
League-wide belief with that Liljegren pick by Niagara is that the "rookie GM couldn't land anyone." Did the next best thing. #OHL
— OHLInsiders (@OHLinsiders) June 28, 2017
Can 100% confirm IceDogs picked Liljegren to keep him away from London. Source tells me Knights are actually furious. #OHL #ImportDraft
— OHLInsiders (@OHLinsiders) June 28, 2017
If Liljegren was taken by the London Knights, there would have been much more speculation about him coming over to the OHL.
The link between the Knights and Leafs is no secret. Dale Hunter — Mark’s brother — co-owned the team with Mark. Since his departure from the Knights, Mark hasn’t shied away from picking up
Mitch Marner and Nicolas Mattinen were taken by the Leafs in 2015 and 2016 respectively. The Knights were also one of the top suitors for Jeremy Bracco at the OHL trade deadline last season before he was shipped to Windsor.
In Liljegren’s case, the pros of staying in the SHL outweigh the cons.
He still has one year left on his contract with Rogle BK and should be one of the teams biggest contributors on the back end.
The benefits of playing in men’s hockey as opposed to junior are documented. Some of the league’s biggest stars had stints in the top European leagues before they came over to play in the NHL. The most recent example is Auston Matthews, who went to Switzerland rather than playing junior in his draft year.
Both the Leafs and Liljegren are hoping that he will be ready for the NHL after this season.