Hockey Trade Rumors: Maple Leafs Eye Trade Partner for Solid Defenseman
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Marvin AzrakNovember 6, 2024 (9:17)
Photo credit: San Jose Hockey Now
The Toronto Maple Leafs moved defenseman Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks, which cleared some cap space and addressed a roster issue. But in return, they picked up Matt Benning, a solid defenseman, but it's not what the Leafs are looking for in the long term.
With a packed 23-man roster and two players, Jani Hakanpaa and Connor Dewar, on the verge of returning, the Leafs will soon have some hard choices to make.
Benning might not be sticking around Toronto for long. On *Hockey Night in Canada*, Elliotte Friedman hinted that while Benning is a capable NHL defenseman, he's a unfit for Craig Berube's system.
Benning's skillset is mostly on the defensive end-blocking shots and steadying the back end, but he wasn't seeing action on the league-worst Sharks, meaning the Leafs wouldn't have a spot for him either.
"We'll chat with him and see where he's at, talk a little bit and then we'll figure it out," said Berube
"I think it's very possible that Toronto will flip Benning... Because right now they're full-rostered and somebody's going to have to get moved," said Friedman
Similar opinions were expressed by Darren Dreger on TSN's Insider Trading.
"I would expect (GM) Brad Treliving is either going to have to place another player on waivers," Dreger said, "(or) perhaps there's a conditioning stint in the American Hockey League that can be applied. Or, the idea of a trade, because Toronto right now is locked in with its 23-man roster... Matt Benning, a veteran defenseman... Treliving could also flip and add an additional asset."
Meanwhile, Jani and Connor Dewar are getting back into game shape with the Marlies on conditioning stints. Once they're ready, the Leafs will need to make room, and it's looking like Benning might be the odd man out. There's already speculation that the New York Islanders could be a good landing spot for him, as they're on the hunt for a defenseman after Adam Pelech got hurt.
All in all, the Leafs are dealing with a roster crunch, but with Benning potentially moving on and some healthy players returning, they're aiming to make the best of this shuffle.
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