NHL Rumor Mill – October 5, 2024
Check out the latest on the Leafs and Stars in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel wondered if Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren could end up on the trade block.
He reports the Maple Leafs were open to trading Liljegren this summer as the threat of arbitration loomed before signing the 25-year-old blueliner to a two-year contract. However, he’s fallen down the depth chart in training camp and perhaps out of the opening-night lineup.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren (NHL Images).
Liljegren carries a $3 million average annual value through 2025-26, making him a potentially expensive seventh defenseman. Siegel wondered if he had any trade value with that cap hit and if it would be wise to move him given they have an older defense corps with injury questions.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: For the time being, no, and given the injury histories of Chris Tanev and Jani Hakanpaa, it would be best to hang onto Liljegren and allow him to play his way back among the top-four blueliners.
Siegel also pondered whether the Leafs will make a move to address their crowded forward lines.
He wondered if they might move fourth-line forward David Kampf and his $2.4 million AAV and replace him with the more affordable Steven Lorentz, who’s in camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO). Siegel also mused over whether Calle Jarnkrok fits within head coach Craig Berube’s system and if Max Pacioretty will get a contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kampf and Jarnkrok have frequently come up as trade candidates this week. One of them might be moved before the Leafs’ season opener next week.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau wondered what moves the Dallas Stars might make at the March 7 trade deadline to improve their chances of winning the Stanley Cup.
Proteau believes GM Jim Nill will likely focus on bolstering his blueline but points out the Stars only have around $693K in salary-cap space. He thinks Nill will have to get creative if he hopes to add a veteran defenseman by the deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The right side of the Stars defense is a concern. They added two physical right-shot rearguards with Matt Dumba and Ilya Lyubushkin but could use another one with better all-around skill.
In regards to Dallas and their potential need for a RHD how about Lundkvist?
The way it looks from this distant vantage point, the reason the Leafs might … and I stress “might” … be looking to deal Liljegren, Kampf or Jarnkrok has less to do with “crowded” F lines or D and everything to do with the fact they are currently $1.069,667 over the cap with 23 of 23, and decisions to make on Pacioretty and Lorentz. If both signed for a minimum of $850,000 each, that $1.7 mil added to the over means they have to clear $2,769,667.
There may be a LTIR they can utilize for the time being (e.g., Hakanpaa) but that would only cover part of that and is likely why the names of Jarnkrok ($2.1 mil), Kampf ($2.4) and Liljegren ($3 mil) keep popping up.
The thing is with Liljegren, he’s a RD … a position seemingly every team is looking for … and if he goes they are left with the oft-injured Tanev, Timmins and Hakanpaa (if he’s ready to play … I don’t believe he’s made an appearance in any pre-season game).
George, did you see my reply to you from late yesterday? My comment was directed to Saint, not you.
LOL. No problem LJ … I kept thinking maybe I DID say something to that effect in passing … so I thought I’d ask … just in case
Makes sense George. I see them getting more for the 2 forwards, especially with Lorentz and Pacioretty with minimal contracts
McCabe CAN play the right side if needed – but nonetheless if Tanev and/or Hakanpaa get(s) hurt, their depth is still suspect without Liljegren. Benoit, Timmins… Cade Webber? Not an area of strength I reckon.
George O
My take on the Liljegren situation in Toronto is you can have Timmins, Myers, and Rifai for the salary of Liljegren.
I also wonder if they’ll ever give Niemela a chance at a spot.
Jarnkrok is a versatile player that can play all three forward positions. Reasonable salary at $2.1M for a guy that’s capable of 20 goals a season.
I think Timmins gets claimed if put on waivers. Myers, probably not.
If they trade Liljegren they have to get no less than a 2nd round pick back or a guy that needs a change of scenery?
I think Timmins has a bigger upside then Lily. They have played about the same amount of game, and are injury prone but Timmins shows more of a offensive upside and is more physical.
Right now my de core would be:
Reilly-Tanev
ORL/McCabe
With Timmins, Lily and Meyers
Trying for third pair right and Benoit and Raifia trying for third pair left.
I would trade Lily for a second if I could. He would be a second pair guy on a lot of teams.