The Toronto Maple Leafs have begun the season with Liljegren not in the lineup, and the former first-round pick may be considering a change of scenery, similar to Nick Robertson’s trade request this summer.

However, the situation differs in that the Maple Leafs appear more willing to accommodate Liljegren’s wish for a fresh start if he formally requests a trade, whereas they were less inclined to grant Robertson’s request.

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period tweeted earlier today that, while nothing is finalized, both parties would welcome a move, which isn’t surprising given that the team explored trade options for him over the summer.
Elliotte Friedman also commented on the Liljegren situation, noting that if both parties reach an agreement, finalizing a trade shouldn’t be difficult. His status as a right-handed shooter and the skills that made him a first-round pick still hold value.

The Maple Leafs have started the season with a defensive lineup featuring Morgan Rielly, Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jake McCabe, Simon Benoit, and Conor Timmins, and they anticipate Jani Hakanpaa will make his debut soon. With seven healthy defensemen, Liljegren has become the odd man out, and his position will become even more precarious once Hakanpaa is cleared to play.

Reports suggest that Liljegren has struggled to win over GM Brad Treliving, and it seems unlikely he’ll gain the favor of coach Craig Berube. Moreover, Benoit and Timmins have performed well on the third pairing, making Liljegren’s future in Toronto appear increasingly uncertain.

As the 17th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Liljegren has not met expectations, recording just 14 goals and 65 points in 196 games over five seasons. Last year, he achieved a career-high of 20 assists and 23 points in only 55 games, averaging 19:40 of ice time. Should he formally request a trade, another team is likely to welcome him, and the Leafs may be willing to facilitate the move without hesitation.