Blogs Maple Leafs prospects Liljegren Sandin determined

The Toronto Maple Leafs are set when it comes to their top-4 on defense but beyond that, it's game-on in the battle for the remaining jobs coming into training camp.Armed with that knowledge, Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin, the Leafs' 2017 and 2018 first-round picks, have their sights firmly set on earning jobs to start the regular season.Its my third year here and I obviously want to make a spot on the roster, do a few NHL games this year, Liljegren said after a pre-camp skate on Wednesday. Peter Forsberg Jersey I want to take with me what I did last year at the end of the season and into training camp this year. For young guys like me and Rasmus, with Dermott out at the start of the year, theres a spot to be filled and thats good for young guys like us to come into camp with that knowledge.NHL FARM SYSTEMS: Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzinjoined by , and . Travis Dermott will mi s at least the first month of the season while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.Veterans Ben Harpur, Jordan Schmaltz, Martin Marincin, Justin Holl and Kevin Gravel will also be in the mix for spots on the bottom pairing, but Sandin and Liljegren unquestionably have the most upside. If they show they're ready, they stand to make the biggest impact.Sandin impre sed in his rookie season last year withToronto's AHL-affiliate Marlies, putting up 28 points (six goals, 22 a sists) in 44 games. By the time the Calder Cup Playoffs rolled around last season, the 5-11, 187-pound blueliner was playing big minutes for the Marlies on their top defense pairing and had 10 a sists in 13 Calvin Pickard Jersey playoff games.Now heading into camp, Sandin, 19, said he's improved a lot over the summer and is ready to push for a spot on the opening night roster.Thats for sure my goal to make the team , Sandin said. I want to do my best all the time and show what I can do. They saw me last year and Im trying to show more now, where Ive improved this summer and see where that leads. I feel like my strength is better, I feel a lot stronger, I feel faster, I feel better overall I think.I was happy with how I did all of last year. I got a ton of ice time, especially in the playoffs. I was happy with how I played overall and how I developed as a player.Good rush from Rasmus Sandin on the powerplay. noel gunler fan club (@DraftLook) Unlike Sandin, Liljegrens transition to the North American game through his Nicolas Meloche Jersey first season and a half was not as easy-going, but he found his comfort level this year. After returning from a 10-week absence due to an high-ankle sprain he suffered in mid-February, he finished the year playing top pairing minutes alongside Sandin.Coach Sheldon Keefe said once Liljegren returned, he was outstanding, killingrushes coming through the neutral zone and showcasing strong positioning, and ultimately took significant steps forward.When I got injured , I spent a lot of time in the gym and with skills coaches on the ice. When I got back I just played relaxing hockey, didnt put a lot of pre sure on myself, Liljegren said. I just enjoyed playing the game and I think that was why I played better in the second half of the year. I would say thats the best I felt since coming over to North America. The mental game is a huge part of hockey and playing more relaxed helped me a lot.The 20-year-old defenseman, who had 15 points (three goals, 12 a sists) in 43 games and five a sists in 13 playoff games, also said that he's progre sing and evolving his game as time goes on.Just to Blake Comeau Jersey play good defense and when you do, you have space to be creative too, Liljegren said. I think last year I improved my defensive game a lot and that made me more comfortable being out there. Confidence has a lot to do with whether you make the team or not. I have pretty good confidence coming into camp now and Ive felt pretty good the last couple of days here. first-rounder Timothy Liljegren has his first North American pro goal for the today AHL (@TheAHL) Keefe was impre sed by the poise showed by Sandin during his rookie season, calling him a unique player that can control the tempo of the game, whichshows his potential to be a strong player at the NHL level.I think thats one of my strengths," Sandin agreed. "I can bring the game down to a pace that Im comfortable with and I feel that Im a guy who can adjust my game to the way the game is being played, thats one of my strengths as well."MORE: The two Swedish bluelinershave become good friends off the ice, which could make the competition for limited NHL spots somewhat awkward. However, to Sandin, it's the exact opposite, even though only one of them could earn a spot with the Leafs.Its a good thing we have each other to compete with, were driving each other as well, Sandin said. We want the best for each other but its Joe Colborne Jersey very fun to have him beside me and competing for a spot. We both would be very happy for each others succe s.