Toronto Maple Leafs superstar center Auston Matthews took the ice for the club's optional morning skate on Saturday. But when will he return to game action? The Toronto Maple Leafs have put defenseman Matt Benning on waivers, as reported by NHL insider Chris Johnston [https://x.com/reporterchris/status/1856049646520377491]. Benning was acquired by the Leafs on October 30 when the club traded Timothy Liljegren for a 2025 third-round draft selection, a 2026 sixth-round pick, and the 30-year-old defenseman. The Leafs have played in six games since his arrival and he’s not seen game action in that period. The Leafs have had to juggle roster implications, carrying a 23-man roster but dealing with a wide array of injuries a month into the season. Two injuries included forward Connor Dewar (shoulder surgery) and Jani Hakanpaa (arthroscopic knee surgery), both of who are close to returning to the NHL level after their conditioning loan in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. Dewar and Hakanpaa have both begun practicing with the Leafs, with Hakanpaa still awaiting medical clearance before moving forward – albeit moving in the right direction to be activated off LTIR and onto the 23-man roster. It was reported by Frank Seravalli [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8dSqhYJL1s&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fthehockeynews.com%2Fnhl%2Ftoronto-maple-leafs%2Flatest-news%2Freport-matt-benning-is-a-possible-waiver-candidate-for-maple-leafs&themeRefresh=1] on Friday that Benning was a likely waiver candidate to provide a solution to the 23-man dilemma with the possibility of Dewar and Hakanpaa returning to the NHL level soon. Seravalli had mentioned general manager Brad Treliving and the Leafs sought a trade partner, but his additional contract year ($1.25 million cap hit) proved to be too much to avoid. The Leafs have cap space available, but they needed to create space on the roster itself. It’s a possible outcome that with his extra year, he could clear waivers and be sent to the Marlies. Teams have a 24-hour window to make a claim that will determine what happens with Benning. If no claim is made and he clears waivers, the Leafs retain his rights and can go through with the next steps. The right-handed defenseman has 17 goals, 85 assists, and 102 points in 452 NHL games of experience.
