Clearly, Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens are actively pursuing trades in the NHL. This has been corroborated by several well-informed insiders, including Pierre LeBrun, Frank Seravalli, David Pagnotta, and Darren Dreger. Most recently, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has presented a more specific trade possibility.
There is a potential deal on the table involving the Canadiens and the Sharks that includes defenseman Matt Benning. In his latest podcast episode of ’32 Thoughts,’ Friedman confirmed various details about Montreal’s involvement in the trade market. Reports indicate that Hughes is interested in acquiring a right-shot defenseman and a tough forward.
In this vein, Friedman noted Matt Benning as a potential target for the Canadiens’ defensive lineup. While it’s uncertain how Benning would fit into Martin St-Louis’s team, his mention by an expert like Friedman makes it significant.
At 30 years old, Matt Benning is a 6-foot-1, 203-pound right-shot defenseman who was drafted by the Boston Bruins in 2012. Over the course of 463 NHL games, he has notched 102 points (17 goals) and has accumulated 239 penalty minutes. He is particularly recognized for his defensive skills and carries a contract worth $1.25 million annually until the summer of 2026.
Do you believe he could provide the Montreal Canadiens with a boost to keep them competitive?
