TORONTO, ON - JULY 7 - Timothy Liljegren skates during the Toronto Maple Leafs rookie camp held at the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence on July 7, 2017. (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Timothy Liljegren 17th overall this past June.

While most players drafted outside the top five do not jump immediately to the NHL, it is my opinion that Timothy Liljegren will. The Toronto Maple Leafs are desperate for help on defense, the organization clearly believes that young players can play in the NHL, and Liljegren has already tasted pro hockey in Sweden.

Let me be clear: the consensus among media members is that he will play in the AHL this year, or go back to Sweden. The Leafs have said all the right things, and literally no one is suggesting he will play in the NHL this year – but he might. I think he will.

Here’s why:

He’s Good Enough

Liljegren, if not for health problems, would have been a top five pick. Probably top three, and firs-overall wouldn’t have been out of the questions. That’s his talent level, and in that case we’d be expecting him to jump to the NHL.

Falling in the draft might affect the perception of him, but it doesn’t affect his talent level. If you listen to anyone who’s seen him play live talk about him, it’s all raves. ‘He stands out,’ ‘Defenseman like him don’t come along very often,’ etc.

He has NHL speed, size and ability.

There is a Job Opening

Let’s be frank: the Leafs defense sucks. Jake Gardiner, Morgan Rielly and Nikita Zaitsev are all great puck moving defenseman who will really compliment the Leafs skilled forwards. They aren’t. however, game-breaking, elite-level players. And, after the top three, it’s three question marks.

I’m not gonna rehash it here, cause we all know the situation, but the defense is the only thing holding this team back (other than the addition of another defensively capable forward) is their relatively weak blueline.

He wouldn’t have to come in and be an instant #1, but Liljegren would add talent and dynamism to the Leafs defense corps. He’ d help no matter what, but if he does come in and play at a Calder Level, then the Leafs are instant contenders.

Saves Money and Assets

When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Patrick Marleau, it indicated that they were aware of their Entry-Level Contract mandated window of competitiveness. They have moved into a win-now mentality, with the hope of getting at least one Championship while the team’s best players are all dirt cheap.

Why not get Liljegren in on this action? Value wise, where are you going to get a player of his talent level, at basically no cap-hit, without having to trade anyone and subtract from the current roster?

If you enter the offensive puck-moving talents of Liljegren to the lineup, the Leafs can keep James van Riemsdyk for one more run. They can use their remaining cap space and assets to fortify the team’s defensive abilities and not worry so much about improving their blue line.

Given his pending UFA status and the fact that winger for D trades never work out for the team trading the winger, JVR probably has more value to the Leafs this year than he does in a trade. Instead of trading him for a sub-Liljegren defenseman in a short-term move, the Leafs could add a better D (Liljegren) and keep JVR. It’s win-win.

Conclusion:

Timothy Liljegren has the talent to play in the NHL today. He’s the team’s cheapest option (in cap-hit and opportunity cost) to improve the defense. Putting him in the NHL allows the team to keep van Riemsdyk.

As a top five pick, Liljegren would have been expected to make the NHL anyway. He fills the Toronto Maple Leafs biggest need. The team has already shown that they will play qualified rookies in high leverage positions. And, Liljegren, unlike most 18 year olds, has already gotten professional hockey experience, having played in two different Swedish pro leagues.

Yeah, the Leafs are saying all the right things, but the facts and the situation speak for themselves. I fully expect Timothy Liljegren to make the Toronto Maple Leafs and play this upcoming season in the NHL.