Newly-acquired Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Matt Benning chooses new number
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Matt Benning is the newest addition to the team as he was part of the Timothy Liljegren-San Jose Sharks trade.
Overall, Benning is not someone who is expected to make a huge impact with the Maple Leafs. At the end of the day, the Liljegren trade was a salary dump of sorts that could also bring in some solid draft picks.
Ultimately, the trade has actually proven to be pretty polarizing. Some people love it and some people hate it. Whatever the case may be, Benning is going to be playing with either the Leafs or the Marlies. Depending on Jani Hakanpaa's condition, of course.
Coming into the Leafs organization, Benning was tasked with making a pretty tough decision. He was the number five with the Sharks. However, that was a number worn by Bill Barilko, whose number is retired by the Leafs organization. According to The Hockey News he has chosen the number 55.
This is a pretty solid compromise and you have to appreciate it when a player makes a decision like that so quickly. He is respectful of the Leafs history, and you love to see it.
Meanwhile, Benning comes to the Leafs amid a two-game winning streak. They beat the Winnipeg Jets earlier in the week. Furthermore, they were able to shake off the Seattle Kraken last night by a score of 4-1.
Ultimately, the Leafs are a team that can win a Stanley Cup. They have the pieces. They just need to go out and do it on a consistent basis. Whether or not Benning will be a huge piece of that puzzle, remains to be seen.
Stay tuned to Toronto Leafs Insider for the latest news and updates from around the hockey world.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 1 | 153 ANSWERS Newly-acquired Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Matt Benning chooses new number Do you believe that Matt Benning can make an impact with the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| YES | 71 | 46.4 % |
| NO | 82 | 53.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
