The San Jose Sharks have made a move to enhance their defensive lineup by acquiring Timothy Liljegren from the Toronto Maple Leafs. In exchange, the Sharks are sending defenseman Matt Benning, along with a 2025 third-round draft pick and a sixth-round pick back to Toronto. This trade was confirmed on Wednesday.

Timothy Liljegren, who is 25 years old and hails from Sweden, has played in only one game this season, although he has a solid background with 210 appearances in both regular-season and playoff games in the NHL. This trade allows the Maple Leafs to free up over $1.5 million in salary cap space, which is a strategic move to enable them to activate Jani Hakanpää, a free agent signing who has been on long-term injured reserve. Liljegren has a contract worth $3 million, while Benning’s contract is $1.25 million, with both players signed through the next season.

For the Maple Leafs, this transition signifies a chance to utilize the earlier of San Jose’s three third-round picks. To bolster their defensive lineup following another first-round playoff exit, Toronto has recently added defensemen Hakanpää and Chris Tanev. The acquisition of Benning is particularly noteworthy as he brings size and physicality to their defense.

On the other hand, the Sharks view the arrival of Liljegren as an opportunity to incorporate a younger player who possesses potential for more offensive production. The team hopes that Liljegren will thrive with a fresh start in San Jose as they continue their rebuilding efforts.