Toronto Maple Leafs prospect rankings: Prospects No. 1-5

No. 2: Timothy Liljegren

Defenceman, Rogle (SHL)

Thought by many to be a steal of this past draft, I can’t speak highly enough of Liljegren’s talent. At the beginning of this past season, I was perfectly okay with tanking the season away in the hopes of picking this kid in the top five as many draft experts saw him as the No. 2 ranked prospect at the time.

Although, unfortunately for Liljegren’s sake (and fortunately for us), he endured a rough season. Hampered by injuries, mononucleosis, and constant changing of teams and leagues, Liljegren took a dive in the prospect rankings all the way to No. 16 on Bob McKenzie’s final rankings. Had Liljegren stayed healthy, played for Sweden in the World Juniors and played to his potential, who knows where he would have gone.

Regardless, the Leafs did a masterful job in landing an extremely talented young defenceman who fits perfectly into their future plans. An offensively dynamic right shot defenceman in the mold of an Erik Karlsson, Liljegren has all the capabilities of being a top two defenceman for the Leafs sooner than later and has an offensive ceiling of being a 50 point d-man.

Although, despite his talent, Liljegren has much to learn on the defensive end, and would do well to return to Sweden (as he mentioned) and develop his game overseas before heading to North America next April. Liljegren’s development should mirror that of William Nylander’s when he was drafted, and should he follow in Nylander’s footsteps, the Leafs will have their top pairing defenceman by 2018-19.