Multiple Toronto Maple Leafs Scouts Spotted at Canadiens Vs. Kings Game

In the century-plus rivalry between Toronto and Montreal, it's not often you see one team interested in another unless it's on the ice, as transactions between the two teams are rare, and whenever those moves do occur, it often brings backlash from one, if not both fanbases (case in point, Max Pacioretty). So it was interesting to see not one, but three Maple Leafs staff scouting potential roster members from their heated rivals.

Karine Hains, Canadiens beat writer for The Hockey News, shared a photo of registered NHL staff who will be at Montreal's game against the Los Angeles Kings. The list included three members of the Toronto Maple Leafs staff:

At Montreal's game against Los Angeles will be Ryan Hardy, GM of the Leafs' AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. Also in attendance are coaching development assistants Kalley Armstrong and Greyson Silva-Addo. It's not known if they are there to scout an opponent, or if there are any trade-related reasons behind the visit.

An article proposal from Fansided's 'A Winning Habit' a few days ago made the argument for the Maple Leafs and Canadiens as a potential trade partner for disgruntled Toronto defenseman Timothy Liljegren.
Reports have surfacedlinking Liljegren potentially out of Toronto via trade after being a healthy scratch to start the season for the Leafs; and with Toronto's logjam at the blueline already, with Jani Hakanpaa still waiting in the wings, time is quickly running out for Liljegren.

Liljegren said that while he wants more playing time, his focus is on being with Toronto and having the best chance to win. Although many teams are surely interested in acquiring the 25-year-old Liljegren's services, it's unknown where the Leafs sit in a potential deal. Montreal, who lost David Reinbacher long-term to a preseason injury, could replace him for the time being with Liljegren who is also a much-needed right-handed shot. Toronto and Montreal have not made a trade together in six years since the Leafs acquired Tomas Plekanec, who had prior spent his entire career with the Canadiens.

It could be possible as well that Toronto is instead getting a good look not at Montreal, but at Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Kings are a team that for the past few years has been on the cusp of making the playoffs, and with many of their highly touted prospect pool now graduated to the big leagues, the Kings could be a suitor for a player like Liljegren who has playoff experience, wants a change of scenery, but he also fits LA's youth culture.

The Kings were were recently linked to Liljegren a few days ago, among a plethora of other possible teams that could put in a bid. A trade for Liljegren would be a surprise so early in the season, it would mean Toronto is honoring Liljegren's goal of a greater chance of consistent playing time, and also saving themselves $3M in cap room.

Sportsnet Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman alluded to Liljegren being moved sooner rather than later as a possibility if Toronto can get the right deal quickly:

Although it's hard to see a minor league affiliate be the one to scout a player for a potential trade, it could be a primary analysis read. One other option could be seeing that the Leafs had played the Kings the previous night, perhaps the team is getting some additional looks at the two clubs simultaneously. It could even be possible Toronto may have interest somewhere else, as Toronto could use a center if they move on from David Kampf, opening a hole in the bottom-six down the middle, although the short-term problem Toronto has could be solved by Fraser Minten upon his return.

For whatever reason, the one clear fact is that Liljegren remains a Toronto Maple Leaf for now, and whether he gets more of a chance to play remains to be seen. At 25 years old and with just under 200 career NHL games, he's no longer a promising prospect or call-up option. He's been around long enough to be able to establish himself. What we will still have to wait for is what Toronto's value is for Timothy Liljegren as part of their system.