Maple Leafs Defenseman Out Six Weeks

The Toronto Maple Leafs are starting the 2022-23 season banged up. After Pierre Engvall was the first regular to miss the start of training camp, it's been announced defenseman Timothy Liljegren is out for several weeks after undergoing sports hernia surgery.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without Timothy Liljegren to start the season due to hernia surgery. pic.twitter.com/wgrk9jXBGi

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 21, 2022

The 23-year-old defenseman is coming off his best season as a pro, registering 23 points in 61games. Liljegren's slated for a bigger role with the Maple Leafs this season and should an increase in minutes from the 16:24 he played last season.

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

As for the rest of Toronto's blue line, look for Mark Giordano to slide over and play on the right side in Liljegren's absence. The team still has restricted free agent Rasmus Sandin to sign as camp has started without the young defenseman. Sandin and Liljegren are two core pieces for the Maple Leafs defense and general manager Kyle Dubas was able to get Liljegren to sign an extension this summer, however Sandin is rumored to be worried about playing time more so than his salary for likely the next two seasons. 

Veterans Jordie Benn and Victor Mete will now battle it out for the sixth spot on the Maple Leafs blue line while the team navigates Sandin's extension and Liljegren's recovery.

Photo credit:  Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports