Report: Leafs make decision on top pick Liljegren

According to a report from Toronto based sports journalist Dhiren Mahiban, the Toronto Maple Leafs have come to an agreement with 2017 NHL Entry Draft first round pick Timothy Liljegren to play the 2017-18 season with the team’s AHL affiliate the Toronto Marlies.

Liljegren was one of the last cuts from the Leafs’ main roster, but there was some question about whether he’d remain in Toronto to play with the Marlies or head back to Sweden to play with Rogle of the Swedish Elite League. Now that the picture is clear and Liljegren will remain in North America, the young defenseman can better adjust to the NHL style game under relatively less pressure with the Marlies.

While he may not make an NHL impact right away, given that he’s just 18-years-old and that he was the sixth blue liner taken in this past June’s draft, the fact that he’ll be playing pro hockey this season has to be seen as a huge win for the Leafs at this point.