Maple Leafs give defenseman Liljegren permission to speak to other teams.

The Toronto Maple Leafs may be on the verge of moving on from defenseman Timothy Liljegren.

Liljegren has been the subject of trade speculation for some time now, dating back to even earlier this summer, but things appear to have picked up considerable steam with Liljegren starting the regular season on the outside looking in when it comes to the Maple Leafs lineup.

For one reason or another, Liljegren has fallen way down the depth chart in the eyes of newly appointed head coach Craig Berube and it sounds like Liljegren's time in the city of Toronto may finally be coming to an end as a result. Although the Maple Leafs have denied talk of potentially shopping Liljegren, or giving him permission to speak to other teams, National Hockey League insider Elliotte Friedman was telling a different tale on Saturday night.

According to Friedman, Liljegren is unhappy with his position on the depth chart and it sounds like he would prefer to be somewhere where he can play.

"Toronto is preaching patience with this... however he is a 25 year old player and he wants to play," said Friedman on Hockey Night in Canada.

Friedman indicated that, although the Maple Leafs have denied giving Liljegren permission to talk to other teams, his sources have given him different information.

"I had heard this week that he had some permission to talk to other teams, the Maple Leafs have denied that and said it's not true," added the insider.

It all sounds like this situation may finally be coming to a head, although whether or not the Maple Leafs will find a trade partner that gives them the return they are seeking for Liljegren remains to be seen.