Maple Leafs defenseman admits he's been playing poorly

"Benoit's game was never about the numbers, since he did manage to earn just two points through 78 games last season, but so far this season having just two assists and earning a minus-2 rating while averaging almost 18 minutes a night -- it's just not good enough. Thankfully, the 27-year-old blueliner knows as much."

""I have to be better. I've been too passive. I don't have the knife in my teeth right now," Benoit said via The Hockey News' David Alter. With a few injuries to the back end of the Leafs like Chris Tanev's continued absence, Benoit's role has increased on the team and he's needed to be leaned on more than he's used to. And with that unfortunately has come with some underperformance from the rugged tough guy on the blue line."

"Benoit's job has been to lay the body in an effective way and while he does lead Leafs defensemen in hits with 49 (the next best is Oliver Ekman-Larsson with just 34 to his name) the opposing team essentially has a direct chance at a scoring opportunity whenever he's on the ice. At 5-on-5, Benoit is dead last among Leafs defensemen when it comes to on-ice shot attempt share, second-last in shot on goal share, and only Philippe Myers and Dakota Mermis have been outscored more than the 27-year-old."

Simon Benoit was expected to provide physical, rugged defense on the Maple Leafs' bottom pairing, contributing last season to an Atlantic Division title and a strong playoff showing. This season Benoit has two assists, a minus-2 rating, and averages almost 18 minutes per game while leading team defensemen in hits. Injuries to the defensive corps have increased his role, but his 5-on-5 shot attempt share and shot-on-goal share rank at or near the bottom among Leafs defensemen. Only a few teammates have been outscored more than Benoit, underscoring defensive struggles that have coincided with the team's poor start. Benoit admits passivity and says he must be better.

Read at Editor In Leaf