Newly acquired defenseman Matt Benning isn’t letting trade speculation rattle him right after joining the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Benning, who arrived from the San Jose Sharks with two draft picks in a swap for Timothy Liljegren at the end of October, is facing an uncertain future on Toronto’s already-packed blue line.
With the upcoming returns of Jani Hakanpaa and Connor Dewar, Benning’s spot on the roster is under even greater pressure.
The blueliner addressed the rumors of a potential trade when he talked to reporters on Friday, saying he’s focused exclusively on what he can control.
“That’s your guys’ job,” he said of the speculation, per TSN. “I don’t really look into that. Whatever comes, comes.”
“[I’ve] got to make it hard on decision-making to keep me here,” Benning said. “If I get an opportunity to get in and do well with it, that’s all I can control.”
TSN insiders Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger see a trade as likely, noting that Toronto’s roster squeeze leaves limited options for GM Brad Treliving.
As Dreger explained, the Leafs are managing a full 23-man roster and must free up space to make room for their returning players.
Elliotte Friedman added that Toronto’s management is keen to do right by Benning, saying on Friday that “it is very possible” that the Leafs end up trading him.
Benning, 30, has played with the Oilers, Predators, and Sharks over his 464-game NHL career and carries a manageable cap hit of $1.25 million.
This season, he has appeared in 7 seven games for the San Jose Sharks with no points scored and a minus-5 plus/minus in 91:17 minutes of total ice time.
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