What the Maple Leafs Are Getting in Signing Simon Benoit to a One-Year Deal
The Maple Leafs have added yet another defenseman to their roster for next season.
Simon Benoit has signed a one-year contract with Toronto carrying an AAV of $775,000.
The 24-year-old has spent the last three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, appearing in 137 games and putting up 15 points.
Benoit went undrafted and signed with Anaheim's AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, in 2018. Following an impressive season, the right-shot defenseman was awarded a three-year entry-level contract with the Ducks.
The Ducks elected not to extend Benoit a qualifying offer this summer, making him and unrestricted free agent until Toronto signed him on Monday.
While the 24-year-old is known as a defender, he can also be tabbed as both a heavy hitter and a fighter. Benoit led the Ducks in hits last season with 214, more than 100 hits ahead of the next player.
If you were to compare that total to Toronto's players from last season, Benoit is easily in the top spot, with Zach Aston-Reese trailing behind him with 163 hits.
The Laval, Quebec native averaged the fourth-most minutes per game on the Ducks, averaging 19:21 through 78 games.
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