The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed defenceman Matt Benning on waivers Monday, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston reports.
Placed on NHL waivers today: Matt Benning (TOR).
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 11, 2024
Benning, 30, was acquired Oct. 30 from the San Jose Sharks as part of the return for defenceman Timothy Liljegren. Benning has not dressed for the Maple Leafs since the trade. The right-handed blueliner has appeared in seven games so far this season, all with the Sharks. He has yet to record a point, averaging just over 13 minutes per game.
The veteran defenceman was originally a 2012 sixth-round pick of the Boston Bruins. Benning would make his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers during the 2016-17 season, and spent parts of four seasons with the Oilers organization. He then joined the Nashville Predators for two seasons, before enjoying the previous three years with the Sharks.
Benning’s best season came during the 2022-23 campaign in San Jose, when he averaged 19:46 of ice time, recorded 24 points in 77 games, and also landed 102 hits and blocked 125 shots. Benning is signed through the 2025-26 season, carrying a $1.2 million cap hit.
With the Maple Leafs having 6-foot-7 defenceman Jani Hakanpaa finishing up his conditioning stint with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies, the continued strong play of Conor Timmins, and with the team’s interest to keep Philippe Myers with the big club, Benning is becoming expendable. There’s been some trade chatter throughout the past 10 days or so, as it was reported the Leafs wanted to ‘do right’ for Benning. From the looks of it, no trade has materialized, and Benning will head to waivers with potential of being claimed by an interested team for nothing — where he could be an asset for a NHL team, as the Maple Leafs are simply sorting through a surplus.
The Maple Leafs have won three straight games and sit with a 9-5-2 record, good for second in the Atlantic Division. Toronto wraps up a four-game homestand on Tuesday, when they welcome the Ottawa Senators.
