The Toronto Maple Leafs might be close to trading their newly acquired defenseman, Matt Benning, who came to the team in the deal that sent Timothy Liljegren to San Jose at the end of October. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned on Friday’s episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast that the Leafs are actively looking to re-trade Benning due to roster limitations, potentially before he even plays a game in Toronto. “I think it is very possible that the Leafs will try and flip [Matt] Benning,” Friedman stated.
The move is linked to a roster crunch for the Maple Leafs, as they currently have all 23 lineup spots filled and will soon welcome back defenseman Jani Hakanpaa from long-term injured reserve (LTIR). Once Hakanpaa returns, the Leafs will face a challenge in accommodating their defensive lineup. Since joining the team, Benning has noted the whirlwind of changes and isn’t ruling anything out after experiencing his first trade at the age of 30. “This is the first time I’ve been traded. Whatever comes, comes,” Benning said. “I’ve got to make it hard on the decision-making to keep me here and get to play.”
Despite his determination to make an impact, the St. Albert, Alberta native may not even get a chance to debut with the Leafs, as the team seems focused on making room for other defensive options. Toronto has several paths to clear cap space and at least one roster spot, but all involve either waiving or trading a player. Their top four defensemen are set for the foreseeable future, with Morgan Rielly, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jake McCabe, and Chris Tanev all secured in key roles. With only a few spots available for rotation players, the Leafs will have to choose among Hakanpaa, Simon Benoit, Conor Timmins, and Benning to fill those positions.
