New Trade Proposal Links Maple Leafs to Avalanche in Potential Third-Pair Swap
Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
A new trade proposal from one analyst on social media has an intriguing proposal sending Simon Benoit to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Sam Malinski.The talk of the town this summer has been whether or not the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to make a deal of some kind. They could do a cap dump for someone like David Kampf, sell on Nick Robertson’s hype, or even spring a deal involving Morgan Rielly.
But one name that hasn’t really been thrown about in trade talks is defenseman Simon Benoit. Often a quieter name among all the stars, he offers Toronto a player who isn’t afraid to put his body on the line in any regard, and while his defensive game lacks at points, he’s solid nonetheless.
Breaking Down the Trade Proposal Between the Maple Leafs and Avalanche
With an identity change already in full swing, is it possible that Benoit is another casualty? One analyst on social media thinks so.
A new trade proposal from James of SportsDataQuest on X has the Leafs sending Benoit to the Avalanche is exchange for young defenseman Sam Malinski.
The reasoning for the deal makes a good bit of sense too:
A trade that might make sense for both #GoAvsGo and #LeafsForever:
Simon Benoit for Sam Malinski (50k cap difference)
Toronto gets a puck moving 3RD.
Colorado gets a defensive physical 3LD to play with Burns.
Both teams get the third pair D on the side they need.
The move is almost a necessity as Toronto not only needs to bring in a better puck mover and have more than enough defensive defenders, but also give OEL a chance to flourish playing on the left.
Would Moving Simon Benoit Make Sense for the Maple Leafs’ Blue Line?
Their offensive puck movers are Morgan Rielly, OEL, Henry Thrun and potential William Villeneuve. They clearly have more NHL-ready and suitable brick walls so sacrificing one for offense isn’t a bad idea.Malinski would bring that right-handed shot and while his numbers aren’t eye-popping right now, he has 25 points in 99 games and is a more than respectable 3D who can still block a ton of shots and throw hits.
Of all the players Toronto could move this season, Benoit is one of the only defenders they can really afford to give away if only for the fact they have enough depth and are in desperate need of another facilitator.
It makes sense for the Maple Leafs, but whether or not they actually would pull the trigger is a question for another day.
Previously on HockeyPatrol
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New Trade Proposal Links Maple Leafs to Avalanche in Potential Third-Pair Swap
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