The Toronto Maple Leafs announced in the morning of Friday, March 29, that they’ve signed defenseman Simon Benoit to a three-year contract extension. The extension is worth $1.35 million annually with no signing bonuses or front/back-loaded contract structure. That means Benoit will make $1.35 million in salary per year.
Benoit joined the Maple Leafs as a free agent on a one-year contract ahead of the 2023-24 season. He has scored one goal and four assists in 55 games with the Leafs. The Laval, Quebec native went undrafted and wouldn’t make his NHL debut until the 2020-21 season with the Anaheim Ducks.
The 25-year-old defenseman plays a hard-nosed style of hockey, something his Leafs teammates certainly enjoy. Nicknamed the “milkman”, Benoit has scored five goals and 15 assists for 20 points in 191 career NHL games spread across four seasons with the Anaheim Ducks and presently the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Simon Benoit’s extension is incredibly tidy work by general manager Brad Treliving as Benoit would’ve commanded more money on the free agent market. The 6-foot-4 left-shot defenseman has been a great replacement in Luke Schenn’s absence. The Toronto Maple Leafs have built their team around rugged defensemen like Benoit and only time will tell if Brad Treliving’s philosophy will prove to be true in the post-season.
