Shocking Move: Maple Leafs' Matt Benning Clears Waivers!

In a surprising turn of events, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that defenseman Matt Benning has cleared waivers as of November 12, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. This development not only provides the Leafs with flexibility but also opens the door for potential trade opportunities.

Teams interested in acquiring Benning can now send him to the AHL without the fear of losing him to another franchise via waivers, creating an attractive option for suitors. As of now, Benning has been assigned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies to ensure he remains active while the Leafs continue their search for a trade partner.

Just a day earlier, on November 11, the Maple Leafs placed Benning on waivers after acquiring him from the San Jose Sharks along with a pair of draft picks in exchange for Timothy Liljegren.

Benning, a 30-year-old defenseman, was brought in primarily for roster and salary cap management purposes, hinting that his long-term future in Toronto was uncertain from the start. Analysts like James Mirtle predicted that if a trade didn't materialize swiftly, the Maple Leafs would likely waive Benning in order to free up roster space.

Despite the opportunities that come with clearing waivers, the fate of Benning remains precarious. If no team decides to claim him in the next 24 hours, the Maple Leafs will benefit financially, as his $1.25 million cap hit will only cost the team $100,000 against the cap while he plays in the AHL.

However, the pressure is on for Benning to revive his career; he’s had limited success recently, notching no points and carrying a -5 rating in seven games for the Sharks before the trade.

The Edmonton native has not donned a Maple Leafs jersey yet and has been a healthy scratch for six consecutive games. His struggles have been compounded by injury; he missed over four months last season following hip surgery and has only appeared in a meager 21 NHL games since the last season kicked off.

Originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round of 2012, Benning carved his NHL path with his hometown team, the Edmonton Oilers, after signing as a free agent in 2016. Across nine NHL seasons and 464 games, he has recorded 17 goals and 85 assists, showcasing his capability as a reliable defenseman when in form.

With the clock ticking, has Matt Benning played his last game in the NHL, or will a team take a risk on the seasoned defender? Only time will tell as this story continues to unfold in the ever-dynamic world of professional hockey! Stay tuned!