The Toronto Maple Leafs have found Timothy Liljegren a place to play.

The Leafs announced Wednesday night they traded Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenceman Matt Benning, a 2025 conditional third-round pick, and 2026 sixth-round pick.

Liljegren departs for California after just one appearance this season. The 2017 first-round pick spent parts of six seasons with the Maple Leafs, playing in 197 games, scoring 14 goals, and collected 65 points. He has one season left on his contract at $3-million average annual value.

Benning, 30, is a 6-foot-1 blueliner who has appeared in seven games this season for the Sharks, averaging 13:02 of ice-time per game. He’s registered 10 blocked shots and landed nine hits, while being held off the scoresheet. The Northeastern University alum has spent the past two seasons with the Sharks, posting a career-best 24 points during the 2022-23 season. Benning has a history of killing penalties and isn’t afraid to play a simple, direct game, much like head coach Craig Berube craves.

Benning also has one year left on his deal at $1.25 million average annual value. Originally a 2012 sixth-round pick of the Boston Bruins, Benning spent four seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, making his NHL debut during the 2016-17 season. He’d go on to play two years with the Nashville Predators and over his career has appeared 464 games, recording 17 goals and 102 points. The Edmonton, AB native also has 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games under his belt.

San Jose owns both Edmonton and Colorado’s third-round picks at the 2025 draft, and as Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports, the Leafs will get the earlier of the two.

With the trade the Maple Leafs save $1.75 million in cap space this season, allowing for a much easier transition once the likes of Calle Jarnkrok and Jani Hakanpaa come off the injured reserve.

The Maple Leafs host the Seattle Kraken Thursday night.