The Canuck Way
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Three assets the Canucks could receive in a Miller trade with the Leafs

By Sam Laidlaw

Feb 24, 2022; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller (9) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Calgary Flames in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2022; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller (9) celebrates his second goal of the game against the Calgary Flames in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /
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MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 21: Timothy Liljegren #37 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Centre Bell on February 21, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 21: Timothy Liljegren #37 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Centre Bell on February 21, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

#2: Timothy Liljegren

After a turbulent draft year in which his play was interrupted by a battle with mononucleosis, Timothy Liljegren fell down the draft board and was scooped up by the Leafs with the 17th pick in the 2017 NHL entry draft. Now, in his fifth season in North America, the Swedish defenceman is discovering his game at the NHL level.

At 22-years-old, Liljegren’s once questionable decision making is nearing readiness, making him a dangerous offensive threat once he refines his poise. In his first full NHL season, the right shot defenceman currently has 10 points in 34 games, which is nearly a 25-point pace over 82 games. Not bad for a guy that is averaging under 16 minutes of ice time per game.

Offensively gifted, and incredibly skilled, Liljegren has quite the set of abilities. His strong skating and puck handling makes him an elite defenceman in transition, and his quick trigger from the point consistently creates offensive opportunities. As he becomes more comfortable at the NHL level, his defensive decision making and confidence in his own zone will grow, rendering him a reliable 200-foot player.

Liljegren is the most NHL ready young defender that Toronto has to offer, and would make an immediate impact with the Canucks. Though, with his entry-level contract expiring with the passing of this season, Liljegren will be an RFA. He certainly won’t force Vancouver to sell the farm on some sort of bridge deal, but a long-term contract may come in at an unpopular cap hit. Patrik Allvin would have to decide if Liljegren is worth betting on.

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