Player Discussion Simon Benoit discussion.

[steelcurtain6]

He is a great #6. The team can run into trouble when he is asked to play higher up in the lineup but he is great in his roll.

Before this series I could have bought the argument that Myers might be a better fit on the bottom pair not because he is better than Benny but because it would allow OEL to play his natural side but Benoit has erased even that thought right now.

I said the same. bit more upside w/Myers. but watching the last two games.Wow. As Bieksa said last night post game.best # 6 in the league.

 

[steelcurtain6]

Well this is certainly a thread.

When I see threads like this and fans wanting Robertson or Timmins on their playoff roster, I wonder what people witness when watching the games.

I do like Robertson's effort, but he is getting pulverized out there. But he is not backing down.

I wonder if he throws Patches on that third line (if he can keep up) in Ottawa,

 

[weems]

His skating is what's most surprising.
For a defensive defencemen, he moves extremely well.
Sure he will get caught flat footed sometimes but overall his mobility is very good, especially when moving up the ice.
Some players just up their games in the postseason and hopefully Benoit is one of them because he has all the attributes to be a playoff warrior type.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Great defensive and offensive play by Benny to help win it last night!

 

[Tak7]

I know he didn't score, but that really felt like a bit of a Cory Cross moment for Benny.
Big, impactful moment from someone in the lineup you wouldn't expect to see it from.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Dude is playing way way way better then I expected .. he is an playoff over achiever .. we need more guys like him

 

[Tak7]

Dude is playing way way way better then I expected .. he is an playoff over achiever .. we need more guys like him

A month ago he wasn't on my playoff roster - he was really struggling.

He's ramped it up nicely here.

 

[Mess]

Dude is playing way way way better then I expected .. he is an playoff over achiever .. we need more guys like him

That was an outstanding play in OT by Benoit.

Joining the play and dishing to Domi and then heading straight for the front of the net to screen the goalie for the winning goal.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

One of the most unlikely players to start a play like that. From the read on the awful Batherson pass right on up to carrying it up the ice and dishing it off to Domi.

As JT AM suggested above, it's unsung plays/heroes like that that make the world of difference in playoff runs.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

That was an outstanding play in OT by Benoit.

Joining the play and dishing to Domi and then heading straight for the front of the net to screen the goalie for the winning goal.

Yes I thought he was all defense but da dude brings offense when needed most -- clutch

 

[Leafsfan74]

As a fan of the history of the sport, Benoit sometimes brings that classic Fiery Frenchman of my grandpas favourite player, Maurice Richard. He usually brings this on the physical compete end of course, but that puck rush last night and the subsequent jumping screen in front of the goalie was fun to watch. A blue collar hockey goal for sure.

 

[All Mod Cons]

I've been a huge fan from the beginning. He is exactly what I want from a #6 dman.

 

[Stephen]

I do like Robertson's effort, but he is getting pulverized out there. But he is not backing down.

I wonder if he throws Patches on that third line (if he can keep up) in Ottawa,

Problem with Robertson is he’s max exertion on every routine play. Admire the mentality but the job seems to be hard for him. And he’s not getting into any position to finish.

I think sit him for Game 3 and maybe reinsert for Game 4.

 

[leafsfan5]

He's been one of the worst defenseman in the NHL this season

The Leafs have 15 pairs who have played 50 or more minutes this season. These are the bottom 5 pairs by xGF%:

11: OEL - Benoit
12: Benoit - Timmins
13: McCabe - Benoit
14: Benoit - Myers
15: Benoit - Tanev

Spot a pattern?

I would like to apologize Mr. Benoit

 

[Stephen]

As a fan of the history of the sport, Benoit sometimes brings that classic Fiery Frenchman of my grandpas favourite player, Maurice Richard. He usually brings this on the physical compete end of course, but that puck rush last night and the subsequent jumping screen in front of the goalie was fun to watch. A blue collar hockey goal for sure.

I find he’s just kind of a scrappy competitor in the Danny Markov, Yushkevich mold. Like he’ll just battle and play hard no matter what. Sometimes it’s ugly but it’s effective.

For a defensive defenseman he’s really noticeable out there in a way that a Brandon Carlo isn’t. Hard to explain but he’s got his finger prints on everything.

 

[1specter]

I would like to apologize Mr. Benoit

Benoit had good numbers to close out the season and in general advanced stats hates guys like him but they become much more valuable in the playoffs. It's why dudes like Edmundson or Polak before were / are highly sought after. With playoff rules they are also allowed to take more liberties and they are good for clearing the crease or boxing out guys. Benoit also seems to have worked on his puck skills and offensive reads, he'll never be a big point producing D but the foresight and confidence to do a drop pass to Domi then rush to the net to provide a screen had me genuinely impressed.

 

[Oscar Peterson]

Even though Benoit isn’t talented, he’s a great skater for his size and you can tell the coaching staff has been working with him a lot 1on1, for the first ~60 games of the season he would almost exclusively dump the puck in or throw it away, but in the last 20 or so games suddenly he started realizing he could actually skate with the puck through the neutral zone or activate down the wall during an O-zone cycle. It’s made a big difference to his overall effectiveness and it really paid off last night.

Another thing I like about Benoit is that again he’s very untalented by NHL standards but I like that he knows his role and embraces it, he doesn’t try to play past his limitations. Kind of an anti Justin-Holl lol

 

[Stephen]

Even though Benoit isn’t talented, he’s a great skater for his size and you can tell the coaching staff has been working with him a lot 1on1, for the first ~60 games of the season he would almost exclusively dump the puck in or throw it away, but in the last 20 or so games suddenly he started realizing he could actually skate with the puck through the neutral zone or activate down the wall during an O-zone cycle. It’s made a big difference to his overall effectiveness and it really paid off last night.

Another thing I like about Benoit is that again he’s very untalented by NHL standards but I like that he knows his role and embraces it, he doesn’t try to play past his limitations. Kind of an anti Justin-Holl lol

Benoit is more committed to making the play and is hard nosed in that respect. There’s no hesitation.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

McCabe’s injury and time off may have been a boon for Benoit. He really stepped up in Jake’s absence and has continued that roll into the playoffs.

 

[LeafEgo]

I find he’s just kind of a scrappy competitor in the Danny Markov, Yushkevich mold. Like he’ll just battle and play hard no matter what. Sometimes it’s ugly but it’s effective.

For a defensive defenseman he’s really noticeable out there in a way that a Brandon Carlo isn’t. Hard to explain but he’s got his finger prints on everything.

It's like he's knows he isn't a Carlo, so he just focuses on doing what he can with everything he's got, no hesitations, and it all comes together as a great #6 playoff defenseman on a contender. Perfect.

He kinda needs a McCabe or an OEL, but we have them.