Matt Benning was recently acquired by Toronto but according to reports may not be sticking around long, and he recently commented on the possibility of being traded.
Matt Benning came to Toronto in the Timothy Liljegren trade and reports have surfaced from top NHL Insiders that Benning is more than likely getting traded from the Maple Leafs, and might not see the ice as a member of the blue and white, which is unfortunate given his family’s rich history with the organization.
It’s never easy for a player to hear rumblings of being traded, let alone the possibility of twice in a couple of weeks, and Benning took the time to speak to the media after his first practice with the Maple Leafs to clear up his thoughts on the whole situation:
‘At 30 years old, this is the first time we’ve been traded. That was a new experience for me. But, you know, happy to be here and help out in whatever way I can.
Whatever comes, comes, it’s, you know, you got to make it hard on the decision-making to kind of keep me here and get to play,’ Benning said. ‘If we get enough to get in there and do well with it, that’s all I can control.’
Matt Benning’s Confidence
It’s great to hear Benning take everything in stride. Being traded for the first time in a career is more than likely a big shock to most players, and his awareness of knowing he just needs to play his game and take every opportunity he can while he is here shows how mature he truly is. A typical stay-at-home defenseman, Benning is a solid choice is a solid choice as a third pairing defenseman and a great insurance policy for any team seeking defense.
A cheap cap hit as well, it may be easy for Benning to find a suitor as several NHL teams are scrambling to figure out their rosters due to injury and could look to Benning as a stop-gap solution until players get healthy. Toronto is seeking some extra assets after trading a bunch away in recent years, so adding whatever they can is a plus.
Toronto’s logjam on defense currently has no spot for Matt Benning, much like it didn’t for Timothy Liljegren. Not that this means they are terrible players by any means, but it just goes to show how hard you have to work to impress Craig Berube and Brad Treliving, or you’ll find your bags packed.