In Liljegren's fifth season with the Maple Leafs and third full NHL season, the 2017 first round pick has been trending in the right direction, but is expected to take parts of his game to the next level. With the struggling T.J. Brodie and Mark Giordano, Keefe needs more from Liljegren on a nightly basis.
There are some fans that are in agreement with Keefe, and expect more out of Liljegren, including more consistency. Others are noticing the positives that Liljegren has managed to achieve since coming back from a tough high-ankle sprain injury.
He is blocking more shots than the NHL's all-time shot blocking leader Mark Giordano, with Liljegren having the most blocked shots by a Maple Leaf since 2012-2013. He is drawing penalties and limiting his own with the best differential by a Leafs defenseman since 2009-2010. He is also being utilized in the offensive zone to try and get more offense out of him, having the highest percentage of offensive zone starts by a Leafs defenseman since 2007-2008.
It's his play with the puck that needs to improve. Making cleaner zone exits and better passes while shooting the puck more. With Liljegren in a contract season, and plenty of hockey to go, Keefe has to put more onto Liljegren's plate to see if he can sink or swim. At this stage of his career, the Leafs' coaching staff and management team need to know what he is, whether that be a depth defenseman, a top-4 defenseman or a future top pairing defenseman. The only way to determine that is to put him in those positions and evaluate his performances. So far, Keefe wants more. Hopefully Liljegren has more to give.
