Leafs could part with Timothy Liljegren and Nick Robertson in the offseason

According to Toronto Star writer Kevin McGran in a new article, he says that he sees defenseman Timothy Liljegren and winger Nick Robertson as having potentially played their last games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and may be moved on from in the offseason.

Liljegren, a RFA at the end of this season, has been rumored to be a trade target in recent weeks. David Pagnotta of 'The Fourth Period' mentioned Liljegren as a name to watch in trade discussions, although nothing concrete has come put and likely won't in the short term until the end of the Stanley Cup Final.

Liljegren had 3 goals, 20 assists & 23 points in 55 games for the Maple Leafs this season. Liljegren is in his 3rd full season with Toronto, a first round pick of the team, 17th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. McGran said that Liljegren's development has gone "sideways" rather than forward, that he's stalled in his growth. A lack of a breakout, and a crowded depth chart, moved Liljegren's teammate and fellow Swede Rasmus Sandin to the Washington Capitals via trade last season.

Nick Robertson, also an RFA, recorded a career-high 56 games for Toronto, finally setting himself as a consistent top-nine forward in the second half of the Leafs season, with 14 goals, 13 assists & 27 points. Robertson, however, went scoreless in the playoff against the Boston Bruins, although he did play well. McGran mentions a logjam that has kept Robertson from progressing in Toronto, and the potential of top prospect Easton Cowan complicating Robertson's minutes further.

Liljegren may be likely to return with the Leafs having 4 UFA's in TJ Brodie, Joel Edmundson, John Klingberg & Mark Giordano, potentially opening up a spot for Liljegren, and with little prospect competition for a spot, with Topi Niemela the only real challenger in the Marlies. Robertson, who is expected to get a low-cost deal, could be kept as insurance if Cowan isn't entirely ready for the physicality of NHL hockey just yet, but may welcome a fresh start elsewhere, with his projected value deal a benefit if he can breakout with looming contract decisions for their core four.