Leafs Sign Simon Benoit

 

Photo From The Hockey Writers

 

Brad Treliving after signing Auston Matthews to a 4-year extension a few days ago continues to tinker with his roster. Monday morning the Leafs announced that they had signed Defenseman Simon Benoit to a 1-year contract worth $775,000. The Laval Quebec native had spent five seasons within the Anaheim Ducks organization before signing this contract with Toronto. Last season in 78 appearances Benoit scored three goals adding seven assists for ten points.  Now, I know readers will see these numbers and think point production isn’t there and they’re right, but the 24-year-old stands 6 foot 3 and tips the scales at 208 pounds and led the Ducks with 216 hits. So physical play is what he brings to the lineup. With a salary of $775,000, Benoit will very likely be a member of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies where his contract can be buried, and he will be used as depth in case a member of the blueline goes down with an injury.

Right now, the Leafs are 13.2 million dollars over the salary cap, likely making fans think “What is Toronto going to do?” But everyone please stay calm because the cap situation will improve when training camp opens in a few weeks. Once camp opens Jake Muzzin and Matt Murray will be placed on LTIR. When that happens Toronto will free up $10,312,500 leaving the team still close to 3 million dollars over the cap. However, Conor Timmins will likely be sent down to the minors along with Dylan Gambrell and Benoit. If those three contracts are buried in the minors it would free up $2,650,000 meaning Toronto would need to still free up $300,000 to be under the cap. The quick solution would be to send Nick Robertson down to the Minors at the start but cap friendly still has him listed on injury reserve for Toronto so I think it is safe to say that at some point in the not-so-distant future, we will see the Leafs make some sort of trade to better the teams cap situation. The trade possibilities are endless so for now let’s just patiently sit back and wait and see what unfolds for the Toronto Maple Leafs.