Maple Leafs Officially Trade Timothy Liljegren to Western Conference Team

The news was first reported by NHL insider Chris Johnston. In exchange for defenseman Matt Benning, a third-round pick in the 2025 draft, and a sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft, he confirmed that the Leafs had traded Liljegren to the Sharks.

The Leafs, who have been rumored to be shopping Liljegren for a while, will be very happy about this. Benning might work better in Craig Berube's system, but he is most likely viewed as a downgrade over Liljegren. Liljegren couldn't possibly offer anything less because he was sitting in the press box every night.

Liljegren showed potential but never quite reached the level expected when the Leafs picked him 17th overall in 2017. With 65 points across 197 games in Toronto, he's been solid but not spectacular, and at $3 million a season through 2026, this move helps Toronto save some cap space.

Meanwhile, Benning, brings two years at a friendlier $1.25 million cap hit and 464 games of experience with San Jose, Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators.

The bonus for the Leafs? They get the earlier third-round pick between Edmonton and the Colorado Avalanche in the upcoming NHL Draft, that San Jose holds. It's always nice to have that added flexibility in the cupboard while making a solid money-saving move.

It may be tough for Toronto fans to say goodbye to the 25 year-old and homegrown talent Liljegren, but the 30 year-old Benning could give the blueline the veteran depth it needs as Craig Berube's boys look to fix their woes on the backend.