Maple Leafs place Liljegren on LTIR with high ankle sprain

The Toronto Maple Leafs placed defenseman Timothy Liljegren on long-term injured reserve on Saturday.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed the blue-liner has a high ankle sprain, according to TSN's Chris Johnston.

Liljegren was injured after a collision with Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand during Thursday's game. He'll miss at least 10 games and will be eligible to be activated prior to Toronto's Nov. 30 clash against the Seattle Kraken.

The Swede left the game after Marchand hit him into the boards with what's known as a "can opener" in the final minute of the first period and wasn't penalized for the incident.

Timothy Liljegren has been helped down the tunnel and has left the game after this play against Boston. pic.twitter.com/KOJ6YZ3XMq

- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 3, 2023

Keefe wasn't happy with referee Wes McCauley.

"I got nothing. He just didn't see the stick go in between his legs, a can opener, and you can go feet first into the boards in the most dangerous area of the ice," the bench boss said.

McCauley appeared to be looking right at the two players as they went into the boards.

Wes is watching it pic.twitter.com/ZCPPhtV2Rt

- Omar (@TicTacTOmar) November 3, 2023

Liljegren didn't emerge for the start of the second frame and was later ruled out for the remainder of the game. The 24-year-old is in Toronto's top four on the back end, and he started the contest playing alongside Mark Giordano on the Leafs' second pairing.

The Swede collected one assist while averaging 19:23 of ice time over nine games entering Thursday.

The Maple Leafs recalled blue-liners Simon Benoit and Max Lajoie from the AHL's Toronto Marlies after placing Liljegren on LTIR.

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