Matt Benning's Future with the Maple Leafs Has Officially Been Decided
The Maple Leafs have cleared some cap space and a roster spot for Jani Hakanpaa to return from LTIR at the expense of defenseman Matt Benning.
Jani Hakanpaa joined the Leafs at practice on Monday after the conclusion of his short conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies.
It had been known for some time that the Leafs would have to clear roster and cap space before activating Hakanpaa from LTIR, and after practice on Monday, they did just that.
The Leafs placed Matt Benning, who was acquired as part of the trade with San Jose for Timothy Liljegren, on waivers. Placing Benning on waivers frees up $1.25M in cap space and roster space to activate Hakanpaa from LTIR as well as room to activate Auston Matthews from IR.
Benning was deemed a 'throw in' from San Jose in the Liljegren trade and the Leafs have been trying to find him a new home, even going so far as to asking San Jose which teams showed interest in the 30-year-old defenseman prior to the Liljegren trade.
With the Nashville Predators losing Dante Fabbro on waivers Sunday, it wouldn't be surprising to see them put in a claim to bring Benning back to Nashville where he spent two seasons.
The right-shot blueliner has another season on his current deal and is a serviceable third pairing defenseman, but was at the bottom of the depth chart with the Leafs.
Through 464 games with the Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks, the former sixth-round pick has 17 goals, 102 points and 239 penalty minutes.
