Vancouver Canucks Have A Decision To Make as RHD Matt Benning is Placed on Waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs

There's no question that the Vancouver Canucks would like to make an addition to their blueline this season, something that was something that was mentioned by Thomas Drance of The Athletic recently, as he mentioned the top-four is an area they'd like to upgrade.

While Patrik Allvin has been known in recent years to be proactive on the trade market and get ahead of other teams, especially with the Nikita Zadorov deal back in November 2023, adding a top-four defenceman is never easy.

One way Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin could address the team's need for a defenceman is through the waiver wire. On Tuesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs placed defenceman Matt Benning on waivers in the hope he'll clear and be assigned to the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies.

Benning was acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs back on acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs back on October 30th in a deal with San Jose which saw the Sharks add former first-rounder Timothy Liljegren.

So far, Benning hasn't appeared in any games for the Maple Leafs, with reports suggesting that the Maple Leafs could flip him in another trade. The Maple Leafs likely didn't have any bites on Benning in the trade market, leading to his placement on waivers on Monday afternoon.

The 30-year-old Edmonton native has spent parts of nine seasons in the National Hockey League with the Oilers, the Oilers Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks. In seven games prior to his trade to Toronto this season, Benning had no points, four penalty minutes and was a minus-five.

Benning has two-years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $1.25 million annually. A small price to pay for someone who can give the Vancouver Canucks, or any other team for that matter, roughly 15 minutes per night and play on the penalty kill.