Injured defender activated from IR; two players sent down to the Marlies
With the Toronto Maple Leafs getting a little healthier by the day, they have just announced the activation of veteran defenseman Jordie Benn from injured reserve (IR). In a subsequent move to free up a roster spot for Benn, the Leafs have also loaned Pontus Holmberg and Victor Mete to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. This will allow both Holmberg and Mete to get in some playing time after being scratched for a few consecutive games.
Benn, an 11-year veteran with 5 different teams prior to this season, is set to make his Toronto Maple Leafs debut at some point in the near future. T.J. Brodie, Justin Holl, Morgan Rielly, Timothy Liljegren, Mark Giordano, and Rasmus Sandin will play against the Vegas Golden Knights but the Leafs haven't ruled out the possibility of giving a defenseman like Giordano a game or two off for rest.
Benn has played in 595 games for the Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, and Minnesota Wild. He spent over half of his career with the Stars and has accumulated a grand total of 25 goals and 135 points over his 11-year career.
As for Pontus Holmberg, he has appeared in 13 games over parts of 2 seasons with the Toronto Marlies and has suited up for one NHL game this year. He spent a considerable amount of time playing for Vaxjo HC in Sweden before being promoted to the AHL.
Victor Mete has appeared in 2 games at the AHL level and 5 games at the NHL level this season, recording an assist and 2 PIMs for the Maple Leafs. With Liljegren and Sandin in the lineup and Benn making his return from the IR, Mete was left without a roster spot. At one point in time, he was a highly touted prospect for the Montreal Canadiens but fizzled out in short order and then took his talents to Ottawa before signing with the Leafs as a UFA this summer.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 8 | 123 ANSWERS Injured defender activated from IR; two players sent down to the Marlies Will Jordie Benn play a game for the Leafs this week? | ||
| Yes | 79 | 64.2 % |
| No | 23 | 18.7 % |
| Not unless there's an injury | 21 | 17.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
