Leafs' Liljegren: 'My goal' is to be with Toronto all of next season

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren got a taste of the NHL this season and is hoping to earn a permanent stay at the top level next year.

"That's my goal, to be with the team all year," Liljegren told TSN's Mark Masters in an interview April 16. "Once you get those games in, you just want to be out there every day, so that's where I'm focusing now, to work hard and to eventually be out there (for) a full year."

The 20-year-old played 11 games in the NHL this season. He averaged 10:18 minutes of ice time per contest and recorded one assist.

Liljegren spent the majority of his time in the minors during 2019-20. He played top minutes with the AHL's Toronto Marlies and recorded five goals and 25 assists in 40 games.

"I think I was pretty consistent," Liljegren said of his AHL season. "I think I started off pretty good and then I just kind of kept it on the same level and just got better every week, every game. Eventually, I got that NHL debut against Chicago and it was a dream come true. ... Once you get that first game, you just want to play more games. Once I came (back) down to the Marlies after that first game, I just tried to work harder so I could go up there again."

Liljegren was slotted behind Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci on the right side of the Leafs' defense while up at the NHL level. However, both veteran defensemen are impending free agents.

With a potential opening on the blue line up for grabs next season, the Swedish defenseman understands that his game still has room to grow.

"Just keep working on everything, basically," Liljegren added. "Just get stronger to be able to hold onto guys in the defensive zone. Just try to work on playing the same type of game I play with the Marlies, (but) up in the NHL, to get that confidence to be able to do that."

Liljegren was selected 17th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2017 NHL Draft.