What the Leafs Are Getting in 30-Year-Old Defensmean Matt Benning
While looked upon as a defensive defenseman, we look at what Matt Benning brings to the table including his familial ties to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Timothy Liljegren era is over in Toronto, but the writing was on the wall for quite some time. The former first round pick had difficulties developing his game under former head coach Sheldon Keefe, which resulted in frequent press box visits, both then and now, under the new regime with Craig Berube at the helm.
The Maple Leafs traded the Swedish defenseman on Wednesday night to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for two drafts picks and defenseman Matt Benning. Not only did the Leafs acquire 2 picks, one of them being a conditional third rounder, but they also shaved $1.75 million dollars off the cap this year and the next.
While Benning isn't necessarily a household name, the veteran holds his own as a reliable defensive defenseman who is responsible in his own zone, can block shots and finish checks, is a solid penalty killer, and has some offensive pop.
In his first three seasons as a member of the Edmonton Oilers, Benning tallied 53 points, held a plus-24 rating, and added 205 blocked shots and 369 hits while averaging 16:17 TOI. The following three years, he only added 23 points in 161 contests before a career-high 23 assists and 24 points in 2022-23.
Benning was limited to just 14 games last year due to injury, but appeared in 7 contests this season before the trade. In total, Benning brings along 17 goals and 102 points in 464 contests split between Edmonton, Nashville, and San Jose with 523 blocked shots, 714 hits, and 16:37 ATOI.
It might be tough for the Edmonton native to crack the Maple Leafs' lineup, but Berube could look to use him from time-to-time to give some of his stars a rest, barring injuries or demotions. However, if he ever does find his way into the lineup, rest assured, because he is very underrated, as evidenced by his JFresh player card below.
Another interesting tidbit about the newest member of the organization is that his dad, Brian, played in 568 games at the NHL-level, and his uncle Jim, played 610 games including 6 seasons with the Maple Leafs, as well as becoming the general manager of the Vancouver Canucks.
Time will ultimately tell whether or not the Leafs made away with a solid return for Liljegren, but until we see what Benning actually brings to the table on the ice, we may not be able to do much more than just speculate.
