Simon Benoit inks 1-year contract with Maple Leafs

Today, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed free agent defenceman Simon Benoit to a 1-season, 775,000-dollar deal.

🖊 We’ve signed defenceman Simon Benoit to a one-year contract

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) August 28, 2023

The undrafted Canadian player netted 3 goals and gave 7 assists in 78 matches with Anaheim Ducks in the past campaign. The 24-year-old also had a +- rating of -29 last season.

He appeared in 137 matches during his NHL career, all of which he played with Anaheim. During that period, the defenseman scored 4 goals and gave 11 assists.

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Simon began his hockey career in the AHL after San Diego Gulls inked him before the beginning of the new campaign in 2018.

Benoit did not receive a QO from the Ducks when his deal with the organization expired during the offseason.

Simon Benoit is a physical, defensive defensemen, there’s no mistaking that. Not a good puck mover or offensive threat but doesn’t shy away from a hit, blocked shot, or fight

His 216 hits ranked 21st league-wide last year. I expect him to be used similar to Jordie Benn last year pic.twitter.com/mAwqr51rOA

— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) August 28, 2023