The Edmonton Oilers made a smart move inserting defender Josh Brown on waivers on Sunday (Oct. 6) as they made the ultimate touches to their roster for the 2024-25 season. With Brown being positioned on waivers, it possible proves that Travis Dermott has earned a contract from his skilled tryout (PTO) contract, and Troy Stecher may also make the workforce. Whereas the Oilers’ defensive depth is worrisome for a workforce seeking to make one other deep playoff run this upcoming postseason, it’s a step in the suitable path for them to ship Brown to the American Hockey League (AHL) after an underwhelming coaching camp.
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Whereas it seems like they gained’t be utilizing Brown as a lot as they thought once they signed him, one other defender — one who’s a stronger participant than Brown — could also be accessible for the Oilers to amass as a depth piece. The Toronto Maple Leafs have handled defensive depth points for a number of seasons, however this season could also be the exact opposite as a result of it appears they’ve an overabundance of NHL-caliber defenders, and one might should get traded. Timothy Liljegren might discover himself on the commerce wire this season due to that situation, and he ought to have some curiosity as a younger right-shot defender who might not price a lot to amass.
Liljegren is a 25-year-old Kristianstad, Sweden who has performed 196 video games within the NHL and has scored 14 objectives and added 51 assists for 65 factors (a 0.33 points-per-game common.) He was drafted within the first spherical of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft at seventeenth general by the Maple Leafs after a robust season in Sweden cut up between the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and the J20 SuperElite with Rogle BK and their affiliated groups. He had 5 factors in 19 video games within the SHL, and 7 factors via 12 video games within the SuperElite league.
Josh Brown, signed 3x$1M by EDM, is a depth defenceman. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/401aXuAdsM
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2024
Brown however, is a 30-year-old right-shot defender from London, Ontario who was drafted within the sixth spherical of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft at 152nd general by the Ottawa Senators after an honest exhibiting within the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Oshawa Generals the place he had 16 assists via 68 video games. Via 290 NHL video games, he has scored 11 objectives and added 23 assists for 34 factors (a 0.12 points-per-game common.) Defensively, Liljegren has confirmed to be extra reliable than Brown all through his profession.
Liljegren Higher Depth Possibility Than Brown
Whereas it looks like Brown goes to spend this season within the AHL, he’s possible going to be the primary participant referred to as up within the occasion of any accidents. Nonetheless, he isn’t a strong defender by any means. His analytics show he is likely one of the weakest defensive-minded gamers who performed within the NHL final season, and he could be extra of a legal responsibility than a serving to hand if he was referred to as up this season. If Liljegren does turn into accessible and the Maple Leafs’ asking value isn’t excessive, the Oilers ought to look into him.
Liljegren has been seen as somebody with tons of potential however hasn’t grown into what anybody anticipated him to turn into, regardless of his spectacular analytics. His upside coming into the league made him an thrilling prospect and he nonetheless is a strong bottom-pairing defender, however a season of growth on the AHL degree could be ideally suited for him and he’s already a stronger asset than Brown ought to they want anybody to be referred to as up. Hopefully, the Oilers have a look at the Maple Leafs’ scenario as a possible profit for them as they attempt to bolster their defensive depth in hopes of successful their sixth Stanley Cup in franchise historical past.
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