Two injured Leafs sent down to the Marlies on a conditioning loan

Per TLN's Nick Barden, Jordie Benn and Timothy Liljegren practiced with the Marlies on Tuesday, and figure to slot in for the Marlies during this week's games. Benn had been sidelined since training camp with a groin injury, while Liljegren had surgery to repair a sports hernia before training camp had even begun.

Given the Leafs' tremendous struggles in the early going this season, I'd imagine that both Benn and Liljegren will get almost immediate looks upon their return. Benn provides a stable defensive presence with some physicality on the back end, while Liljegren is a strong two-way defenseman who makes a great first pass to clear the zone and can not only help cycle the puck in the offensive zone, but he has an absolute rocket of a shot which makes him a legitimate shooting threat for the opposition to have to worry about.

Benn, a pending UFA, is a veteran who has an abundance of NHL experience and Liljegren is an exciting up-and-comer for the Leafs. The big question now will be, does Kyle Dubas pull the trigger on a trade to open up a roster spot? Or do the Leafs continue to carry 8 NHL defensemen while Muzzin is sidelined?