Maple Leafs Considering Trading 27-Year-Old Defenseman Amid Rough Season

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly having conversations with other teams about trading away 27-year-old defenseman Simon Benoit. Benoit, an undrafted player who spent his first three NHL seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, is now in his third season with the Leafs. This season, he has played in 48 games with 3 assists, 127 hits, and 76 blocked shots, averaging over 17 minutes of ice time per game. As the Leafs trend toward being a seller at the trade deadline, they may be willing to move Benoit, a physical third-line blue-liner, in exchange for a future asset.

Why it matters

The potential trade of Simon Benoit signals that the struggling Maple Leafs are looking to shake up their roster ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Benoit is a physical, defensive-minded defenseman who could provide value to a contending team, so his departure would represent the Leafs' willingness to part with a roster player in exchange for future assets as they aim to retool their lineup.

The details

According to reports, the Maple Leafs have been having conversations with other teams about what they might receive in return for defenseman Simon Benoit. Benoit, a 6-foot-4 blueliner, is in his third season with the Leafs after spending his first three NHL campaigns with the Anaheim Ducks. This season, Benoit has played in 48 games, recording 3 assists while delivering 127 hits and blocking 76 shots. He averages over 17 minutes of ice time per game, providing a physical, defensive presence on the third defensive pairing.

• Benoit is in his third season with the Maple Leafs after spending his first three NHL seasons with the Anaheim Ducks.

What’s next

It remains to be seen if the Maple Leafs will be able to find a trade partner willing to acquire Benoit before the NHL trade deadline.