Timothy Liljegren Trade Sparks Much-Anticipated Pressure on Maple Leafs' Defensive Prospects
With Timothy Liljegren being shipped off to the San Jose Sharks, now the pressure is on the defensive prospects to prove they belong and avoid the same fate.
The Toronto Maple Leafs traded Timothy Liljegren on Wednesday, ending a rocky tenure with the team that saw the once-hyped prospect unable to secure a spot on the team for any extended period. It's a fresh start for both sides, and Liljegren's departure will lead to positives on both sides.
Though his departure should be a warning to the Maple Leafs prospects: If you don't earn a spot, you're out. Is it the best method of going about things? Perhaps not, but in a game where time is money, and this is a business; you want results now. Names like Noah Chadwick, Cade Webber, Topi Niemala, and Mikko Kokkonen are all able to make an impact in the future, and if they aren't able to impress their coach (whether it's Berube or another), they too will find themselves packing their bags.
One name though that needs to prove he belongs, and has already shown glimpses of potential and that's Marshall Rifai. Signed after a successful NCAA career at Harvard, Rifai is a big body for the Maple Leafs who isn't afraid to hit or throw down the gloves; a combination that fits Craig Berube to a tee.
Already making the team for a two-game spell last season, Rifai has grown into his own with the Marlies and looks poised to make a good case to be the 7th defenseman. A solid skater with physicality sounds like Toronto's perfect addition to their third pairing alongside perhaps a re-signed Jani Hakanpaa or new acquisition Matt Benning.
If any of the Toronto Maple Leafs want to avoid the same fate as LIljegren, they can't afford to show any lack of motivation, especially with Craig Berube at the helm; unless you wanna be screamed at for your mishaps.
With Toronto's Top-4 set in stone, it's down to two spots to fill with a lot of competition. If Marshall Rifai and the other prospects want to make their way onto the team come the next season or two, they need to show Toronto they can't win without them.
| POLL | ||
Who will be the first Maple Leafs defenseman they call up? | ||
| Marshall RIfai | 156 | 41.5 % |
| Cade Webber | 106 | 28.2 % |
| Mikko Kokkonen | 45 | 12 % |
| Topi Niemala | 69 | 18.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
