Toronto Marlies send Timothy Liljegren to ECHL
A conditioning stint for the Leafs 2017 first round pick
Today, in a surprising move, the Toronto Marlies announced that 2017 first round pick Timothy Liljegren will be sent down to the ECHL Newfoundland Growlers for a conditioning stint. Being sent down to the ECHL is never good news, but this move isn’t what you’d think it is. Liljegren was injured on December 1st and is still working out and recovering. The injury has been described as ‘week-to-week’ for a few weeks now.
News: Defenceman Timothy Liljegren has been loaned to @NLGrowlers on a conditioning stint following his return from an injury sustained on December 1. He will play tonight against Maine and will be returned to Toronto (AHL) on Thursday. #MarliesLive pic.twitter.com/nDd4z6yk6U
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) January 16, 2019
Liljegren had a half a point per game pace going before his injury, playing in 19 games, with two goals and six assists. The Toronto Marlies could use him on the back end again, and hopefully he’ll be alright to play in the Marlies games this weekend in Chicago against the Wolves. If he doesn’t perform to expectations, coaching staff could decide he needs to sit out the games and focus on a return against the Belleville Senators at the end of the month instead.
If you want to watch Liljegren play for the Growlers, you can buy the game on ECHL TV pay-per-view.
Update with more good Marlies news, it looks like Andreas Borgman could also return soon:
#Marlies D Andreas Borgman is no longer wearing a no-contact jersey in practice. He’s out in regular uniform today. Borgman has been sidelined with a concussion since Dec 19. @TLNdc
— Jacob Stoller (@JLStoller) January 16, 2019