The draft Gods smiled upon the Toronto Maple Leafs once again. Mark Hunter called it a “no-brainer” when the Leafs selected Liljegren at 17. The Leafs now have a potential top pairing fleet of foot, high-end RHD prospect. Before the 2016-17 season began, TSN analyst Craig Button had Liljegren ranked as high as 2nd overall after a promising d -1 season. Contracting Mononucleosis before the 2016-17 season began may have slowed his development, the potential is there for all to see.
Liljegren missed half the 2016-17 season. As a result, he spent his time playing catch-up.