Before the 2024-25 NHL season is a month old, the necessary trades have already begun and the Toronto Maple Leafs may not be done working the phones. The Maple Leafs dealt a defenseman Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks because he couldn’t find his place in the lineup.

In exchange for Liljegren, the Maple Leafs acquired a few draft picks and 30-year-old defenseman Matt Benning. The Maple Leafs are currently keeping Benning in a similar situation to Liljegren in that he is on the roster, but likely won’t see much playing time, if any.

Already facing a similar situation, the Maple Leafs could look to flip Benning in another trade. According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 thoughts podcast, Benning is on his way to Toronto, but it might not be for long.

“I think it’s very possible that the Leafs will try to unseat Benning,” Friedman said. “I heard he was flying to Toronto today, but I think it’s possible Toronto will try to knock him off.”

Friedman noted that the Maple Leafs have a deep roster with several players who are undoubtedly ahead of Benning on the depth chart, close to returning from injury. One of those players set to return is defender Jani Hakanpaa.

The Maple Leafs recently traded Hakanpaa to their American Hockey League affiliate to get some reps after missing the end of the 2023-24 season with the Dallas Stars for knee surgery. Many thought Hakanpaa might not be able to play again, but the Maple Leafs have cleared him and are ready to put him on the NHL roster.

“Right now they are full and someone is going to have to be moved,” Friedman said. “This doesn’t end their roster problems.”

Everyone agrees it was time for the Maple Leafs and Liljegren to move on from each other. Liljegren was drafted by the Maple Leafs 17th overall in 2017, but was never able to find consistency in the lineup.

Liljegren showed spurts of potential, but he was always pushed down by the Maple Leafs. In 197 career games, he scored 14 goals and 51 assists for a total of 65 points. He’s only appeared in one game this season, but he’s sure to play a few more with San Jose.

As for Benning, it seems possible he won’t stay in Toronto very long. The Maple Leafs don’t have the cap space for him and he could be a vital part of a team’s defensive depth.

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