Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign D Simon Benoit (1 year, $775k) Re-signed ( 3 year, $1.35mm)

[crump]

Wasn’t too impressed tonight. Got filled in a few times, he did have a nice block, but in general was scattered out there. Only his first game but I hope that’s not a typical game for him.

 

[LeafSteel]

Wasn’t too impressed tonight. Got filled in a few times, he did have a nice block, but in general was scattered out there. Only his first game but I hope that’s not a typical game for him.

First game on a new team, coming back from an injury where he’s missed most of training camp.

I think he gets more leash, but I liked a lot of what I saw from him.

Remember that his partner was Niemela, who is going into his rookie AHL season on the Marlies this season. Not exactly a defensive pairing I would expect all-world play from.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

I think it's pretty clear now why the Benoit/Klingberg pair was the worst in the league last year.

They both stink.

Even if you took the best qualities of each and combined them into one player he would STILL stink. You can't put a crown on a clown and call him a king. I thought maybe Benoit would act as a physical deterrent but, whoa boy, was I ever wrong.

The effect of scaring the opponents was so strong they took more shots, and had more scoring chances, whenever he was on the ice.

I was hoping to see a guy that could clear the net, stand up for his teammates, and punch a few faces. All I saw was a guy who can't skate do dumb things. They would have been better off giving me the million bucks for a year.

Even Keefe wouldn't be foolish enough to put me in a game.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Essentially just a younger, faster, more physical Giordano at this point.

Can move pretty well. I expect him to knock off the rust pretty quickly.

Giordano as an everyday player has to stop. He's great depth, but that's all he should be.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Meet Simon Benoit, the 'inspirational' defenceman the Leafs could end up needing

Benoit is used to overcoming challenges by now, but can he work his way onto a Maple Leafs blue line that has been set since last summer?

theathletic.com

Benoit’s track record of overcoming challenges will be put to the test over the final days of training camp. Back spasms caused him to miss a healthy chunk of the start of camp, and he has only played two preseason games. He’s trying to get up to speed on the Leafs’ defensive systems.

“They like to step up at the blue line,” Benoit said of the adjustment to the Leafs systems. “And I have a big reach. For me, I think I can be good at that — being physical with my first couple steps, kill plays and give the puck to the big forwards.”

 

[Macallan18]

Fire him into the sun. Horrific signing.

 

[HockeyVirus]

He was supposed to add grit, I don't see any. Where are his hits? He just takes penalties trying to defend. When we added grit on defense before, Muzzin, Lybushkin, Schenn they all hit and block out well.

He does nothing well.

 

[13pacheco31]

Fire him into the sun. Horrific signing.

No need to be so dramatic lol. Put him on waivers and send him on his way. No harm, no foul

 

[Leaf Army]

I’m not so worried about his uneven play. He’s a 7/8 defenceman who missed training camp with a new team.

His track record suggests he can be solid depth piece so he’ll figure it out.

More concerned with the grit aspect. He was supposed to add some size and physicality but we have seen none of that. If anything he’s been pushed around a bit. I wouldn’t be quick to dump him though just yet. Hopefully we can keep him in the organization.

 

[hullsy47]

I’m not so worried about his uneven play. He’s a 7/8 defenceman who missed training camp with a new team.

His track record suggests he can be solid depth piece so he’ll figure it out.

More concerned with the grit aspect. He was supposed to add some size and physicality but we have seen none of that. If anything he’s been pushed around a bit. I wouldn’t be quick to dump him though just yet. Hopefully we can keep him in the organization.

Too many bad habits from Anaheim
Like Lafferty and mcabe
Losing came to easily
Mcabe Is already better

 

[Gallagbi]

Essentially just a younger, faster, more physical Giordano at this point.

Can move pretty well. I expect him to knock off the rust pretty quickly.

Giordano as an everyday player has to stop. He's great depth, but that's all he should be.

Gio's biggest strength is his IQ and positioning. It feels like Benoit is lacking in both, but hes big and strong.

 

[Oscar Peterson]

Benoit has looked absolutely horrible tbh, no chance he makes the team

 

[justashadowof]

Go figure, Anaheim who need defense talent cut bait on this league minimum defender who's a poor man's Lyubushkin. Maybe he can work some things out in the A.

 

[Dion TheFluff]

would feel much more comfortable with Kokkonen in the lineup instead of him

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Don’t think we’ll have to worry about losing this guy on waivers. Maybe he’ll show better after time with the Marlies.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

 

[Guided by Veseys]

He played 78 games last year and averaged almost 20 minutes per game. Wild.

 

[Leafidelity]

He played 78 games last year and averaged almost 20 minutes per game. Wild.

Not much to be salvaged out of 32nd place teams depth dmen

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Since being called up as injury replacement Benoit has quietly been very solid in his minutes.

 

[showtime8]

Pretty much what you're hoping to get out of an 8th defenseman.

Come in and block a couple shots. Play the 12-15 minutes a game and try not to be on the wrong end of a highlight package.

 

[ponder]

He’s our 9D when we’re healthy:

1. Rielly
2. Brodie
3. Liljegren
4. McCabe
5. Gio
6. Klingberg
7. Timmins
8. Lagesson
9. Benoit

(I know Keefe has Klingberg/Lily swapped in terms of ATOI, Klingberg and Lily 6th, but that’s just Keefe being an idiot IMO)

Benoit’s a pretty decent 9D. Doesn’t make much happen with the puck, but he’s physical, and good enough defensively to play 6D minutes and not get lit up. Not much more you can ask for from a 9D, he’s serviceable when we have a bunch of injuries, like now with Lily/Klingberg/Timmins.

 

[The Iceman]

He’s our 9D when we’re healthy:

1. Rielly
2. Brodie
3. Liljegren
4. McCabe
5. Gio
6. Klingberg
7. Timmins
8. Lagesson
9. Benoit

(I know Keefe has Klingberg/Lily swapped in terms of ATOI, Klingberg and Lily 6th, but that’s just Keefe being an idiot IMO)

Benoit’s a pretty decent 9D. Doesn’t make much happen with the puck, but he’s physical, and good enough defensively to play 6D minutes and not get lit up. Not much more you can ask for from a 9D, he’s serviceable when we have a bunch of injuries, like now with Lily/Klingberg/Timmins.

Some might have him above KLING

 

[Buds17]

While he's best utilized as a depth option, he can still serve as the defensive conscience on a third pairing at times.

 

[A1LeafNation]

He’s our 9D when we’re healthy:

1. Rielly
2. Brodie
3. Liljegren
4. McCabe
5. Gio
6. Klingberg
7. Timmins
8. Lagesson
9. Benoit

(I know Keefe has Klingberg/Lily swapped in terms of ATOI, Klingberg and Lily 6th, but that’s just Keefe being an idiot IMO)

Benoit’s a pretty decent 9D. Doesn’t make much happen with the puck, but he’s physical, and good enough defensively to play 6D minutes and not get lit up. Not much more you can ask for from a 9D, he’s serviceable when we have a bunch of injuries, like now with Lily/Klingberg/Timmins.

Reilly _______
_________ Liljegren
McCabe Lagesson
Giordano Timmins
Benoit

Brodie and Klingberg should be moved for top 4 dmen.

 

[Shooter2x]

Don't know how the overall body of work would look like, but on paper if you left him in your lineup at no.6 for an entire season he'd have around 200 hits and 160 blocks.

Sleeper depth