Maple Leafs defenseman finds himself on latest trade board

"The Toronto Maple Leaf are right in the thick of the hunt for a playoff spot after bouncing back from a terrible first half of the season. But, that doesn't mean that they are going to keep the roster the same as the NHL trade deadline approaches on March 6. According to one of the latest trade boards from The Athletic's Chris Johnston, a defenseman that we never really expected to be dealt, could be moved before the deadline."

"A prototypical defensive defenseman who puts his body on the line by blocking shots and playing opponents physically, Benoit has endured some recent scratches. The Leafs have a number of depth options at the position, and Benoit represents a player who could bring back some value with a cap-friendly contract that runs through next season, That's the main reason his name has recently started making the rounds. What you see is what you get with Benoit, who has extremely limited offensive impacts."

The Toronto Maple Leafs are contending for a playoff spot after rebounding from a poor first half. The team may alter the roster before the NHL trade deadline on March 6. Simon Benoit is identified as a potential trade candidate because he carries a cap-friendly contract through 2026-27 and could return value. Benoit is a prototypical defensive defenseman who blocks shots and plays physically but offers limited offensive impact. He has experienced recent scratches as the club evaluates multiple similar depth options on the blue line. Other teams in need of low-cost defensive depth could find him appealing.

Read at Editor In Leaf