The Toronto Maple Leafs re-signed defenseman Timothy Liljegren to a two-year contract carrying an annual cap hit of $3 million, the team announced Sunday.
Liljegren was set to become a restricted free agent. The new contract walks him to unrestricted free agency in 2026.
The 25-year-old tied a personal best with 23 points in 55 games for the Leafs last season, averaging a career-high 19:40 per game.
Timothy Liljegren, signed 2x$3M by TOR, is a second-pairing two-way puck-moving defenceman. This season he proved that he could keep up his performance in a bigger role, but admittedly has not yet shown that he can do it in the playoffs as well. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/nqLuMCVofr
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) June 30, 2024
However, Liljegren's ice time dropped to 17:52 per game in the playoffs and he was a healthy scratch in one contest.
The Maple Leafs drafted Liljegren 17th overall in 2017.
Liljegren's place on the right side of Toronto's blue line will depend on what the club does in free agency. The Leafs already acquired the rights to Chris Tanev, though they still have to sign him. They've also reportedly shown interest in Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Nikita Zadorov, and Matt Roy, though the latter two appear to be long shots.
Liljegren agrees to 2 year extension with Toronto at $3 mil per. The Leafs are still in on OEL. Zadorov is likely too expensive. They like Matt Roy but sounds like he may be headed a different direction. Hence, Liljegren provides some affordable insurance.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 30, 2024
Toronto already rosters Morgan Rielly, Jake McCabe, and Simon Benoit on defense.
Up front, the Maple Leafs re-signed UFA forward Max Domi on Sunday.
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