Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs Place Defenseman Matt Benning on Waivers as Starting Six Takes Shape
The Toronto Maple Leafs are making roster moves to accompany returning players and they placed the recently acquired Matt Benning on waivers to kick things off.
Brad Treliving has some work to do regarding how his roster is going to look when it comes to players returning from injury, or players who have recently been hit by the injury bug. There were some options Toronto had when it came to opening up roster space as well as cap space.
So NHL Insider Chris Johnston has reported the Maple Leafs are cutting ties with Benning, and placed the defenseman on waivers Monday:
Benning, who came over in the Timothy Liljegren trade earlier this season, never suited up for the Maple Leafs as he was looked at as more of a piece to take to dump Liljegren as opposed to a player they could use except for a dire emergency.
Why Did Toronto Waive Matt Benning?
Toronto cutting Benning is a sign that Toronto's starting six for their blueline is pretty much set it stone. Hakanpaa is presumably going to debut against the Senators on Tuesday, and he will be a huge addition (literally) to an elite Toronto defense that has improved drastically this season.
Unfortunately, Simon Benoit is the odd man out here. Looking a step or two behind where he was last season, Toronto isn't that good offensively or defensively with him on the ice and perhaps needs a mental break (Benoit recently became a father).
Hakanpaa can do what Benoit does but he's bigger, more experienced, stronger, and while he had knee issues, is a grounded force who doesn't move, or get moved. Conor Timmins needs a shutdown defender to patrol the line while he pinches and uses more of his offensive potential to help Toronto:
If Benning clears waivers, he can be assigned to the Marlies and save Toronto some cap space, and it may be a tough ride for the defenseman, as he doesn't have many suitors and could find himself out of the NHL this season.
