Leafs reveal their plans for Conor Timmins and Timothy Liljegren

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made some serious roster changes this season, but GM Kyle Dubas has still yet to acquire his team a top defenseman. 

Sure, he acquired veterans Luke Schenn from the Vancouver Canucks and Erik Gustafsson from the Washington Capitals the Gustafsson acquistion cost him former 1st round pick Rasmus Sandin. Dubas also acquired Conor Timmins from the Arizona Coyotes earlier in the season, but he's been pushed out of the lineup recently due to the recent acquisition. Then there's the likes of Timothy Liljegren... like Timmins, he's kind of in no-man's land on the team's blueline.

All of this is to ask the question, "What gives?"

What's the plan for Timmins and Liljegren moving forward? Both players have been fairly consistent, yet they struggle to get increased ice-time.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman with the details of Dubas' plan for these two young blueliners:

The Maple Leafs were honest with Conor Timmins, letting him know the added defenders will hurt his ice time — but he’s very much in their plans. The more delicate balance will be with Timothy Liljegren, who returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing a pair of games.

- Elliotte Friedman

Honestly not a bad idea, but I'd like to see both of these guys get more action. Timmins has been remarkably productive in his short time with the Leafs and Liljegren just continues to improve at all aspects of the game. If the Leafs can show more patience with these two defensemen than they showed with Sandin, they may be able to reap the rewards. What's the old saying? Why go trade for a player when you can grow your own?