Leafs aggressively shopping veteran defenseman according to insiders
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has confirmed that the Toronto Maple Leafs are considering trading recently acquired defenseman Matt Benning.
After trading defenseman Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks the Leafs received Benning who is a third pairing defenseman that provides reliable depth.
However with a crowded defense lineup and Benning's position uncertain, there's growing speculation that Toronto may flip him for either cap relief or draft picks.
The Maple Leafs' defense is almost set for the season, with their top-four secured for the foreseeable future. This depth has made it difficult for Benning to find a spot in the rotation, especially with the imminent return of Jani Hakanpaa. Benning is also competing with Simon Benoit & Conor Timmins both vying for the last two open spots on Toronto's defense corps. Given Hakanpaa's anticipated impact & past performances he's expected to get significant ice time which limits Benning's chances further.
If Toronto manages to trade Benning they could gain a draft pick or mid tier prospect while freeing up valuable cap space. While Benning won't bring in a high return the additional flexibility & assets could benefit Toronto's long term strategy. Expect potential trade news soon whether it's for Benning or another depth player as the Maple Leafs look to refine their roster & add future assets.
