It turns out the Capitals and Timothy Liljegren would indeed like to continue their relationship. NHL.com reported that the Caps have signed Liljegren to a two-year $6.5 million contract extension. The Caps acquired Liljegren from the Sharks at the trade deadline on March 6th for a fourth-round pick in next month’s draft.
While Liljegren only played in four games for the Caps, he has the skating ability and the motor that fits well on the Caps third pairing. More importantly, Liljegren is right-handed and the Caps are hurting for right-handed defensemen at the moment. Coach Carbery likes to have a balanced defensive corps, and after the trade of John Carlson to Anaheim, the Caps have struggled to fill that void left on the right side.
Liljegren is going to have the opportunity to replace Trevor van Riemydyk on the third pairing next season if the Caps let van Riemsdyk leave via free agency. Van Riemsdyk has been with the Capitals for six seasons and well liked. But Liljegren is younger and the Capitals see something in the 27-year-old that leads then to believe there may be more offensive upside to develop. What Liljegren already does well is block shots, and can also be used on the penalty kill.
The Capitals will have to address the blueline this summer, especially after Rasmus Sandin’s knee injury. Resigning Liljegren is only one move to address the depth on defense. The Capitals don’t have very many defensive prospects in the minors that appear to be ready for the NHL, with the exception of Cole Hutson, who looked more than ready in his brief audition at the end of this season. Maybe Ryan Chesley can make the jump after playing in Hershey. Most likely, they will have to scour the free agent market this July or make some kind of a trade.
Signing Liljegren is a good sign that the Capitals didn’t target him at the deadline just to fill an empty spot on their bench, but because they thought there was more there and he could be a piece of their future. It will be interesting to see what role Liljegren’s can carve out for himself in Washington this Fall.
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