The Washington Capitals acquired defenseman Timothy Liljegren in a trade deadline deal with the San Jose Sharks on Friday.
The deal was first reported by The Athletic’s Chris Johnston less than an hour before the 3 pm deadline. The Capitals confirmed the trade more than 90 minutes later, revealing that they had sent a 2026 fourth-round pick, originally owned by the Vegas Golden Knights, back to the Sharks.
Washington acquired the pick from Vegas when they traded Anthony Mantha to the Golden Knights at the 2024 trade deadline.
Liljegren, 26, is set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. In 43 games for the Sharks this season, he’s recorded 11 points (1g, 10a) and averaged 20:08 of ice time per game.
The former Maple Leafs’ first-round pick was previously teammates with current Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin in Toronto, and the two often played on the same defense pair. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery was an assistant coach in Toronto for two of Liljegren’s seasons with the Leafs.
With the Capitals’ trade of John Carlson to the Anaheim Ducks, a spot on the right side of the defense can now be claimed by Liljegren. The Swedish rearguard has not played since February 26, sitting out of San Jose’s last three games as a healthy scratch.
Liljegren’s most productive offensive seasons came with the Maple Leafs, when he notched 23 points in both the 2021-22 and 2023-24 campaigns.
Here’s the press release from the Capitals:
Capitals Acquire Timothy Liljegren from the San Jose Sharks
The Washington Capitals have acquired defenseman Timothy Liljegren from the San Jose Sharks for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (originally from Vegas)
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have acquired defenseman Timothy Liljegren from the San Jose Sharks for a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (originally from Vegas), senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced today.
Liljegren, 26, has recorded 11 points (1g, 10a) in 43 games with San Jose this season. The Kristianstad, Sweden native ranked second among San Jose defensemen in blocks (83), tied for third in assists and fourth in points and ice time per game (20:08).
Liljegren was originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round (17th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. In 307 career NHL games with San Jose and Toronto, Liljegren has recorded 93 points (21g, 72a) and averaged 18:14 of ice time per game. In addition, Liljegren has registered 74 points (11g, 63a) in 150 career American Hockey League games and won the Calder Cup with the Toronto Marlies in 2018.
Internationally, Liljegren has represented Sweden at the 2016 and 2017 U18 World Junior Championships, the 2018 U20 World Junior Championship and the 2023 World Championship, winning silver medals in 2016 and 2018.
