The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to start this season with the same six defencemen who finished the 2024-25 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The only difference? Simon Benoit is likely starting on his off side.
After Benoit battled through a bit of injury troubles to start training camp, head coach Craig Berube has played Benoit on the right side of the ice for a couple of looks in the preseason, and when the puck drops for real on Oct.8 against the Montreal Canadiens, expect to see Benoit charted in on the bottom pair, right side, with Oliver Ekman-Larsson on his natural left side of the ice.
The Maple Leafs are hopeful that Benoit’s ability to play his off side can actually do a couple of things for the hockey club. Not only does it give Benoit a chance to continue to make an impact physically, and with his stay-at-home style of play, one of the bigger reasons has nothing to do with Benoit, and everything to do with unleashing the offensive beast in Ekman-Larsson. Benoit knows their games complement each other nicely, and spoke about their chemistry pregame in Toronto Oct.2.
“I think our game is pretty simple. Ollie is a good puck mover, and I think for me, my job is to get him the puck, right. So, retrieving those pucks, be physical, getting those pucks to him so he can make those nice plays, create some offence out there.”
Benoit led the Maple Leafs d-core with 204 hits during last season, and continued his physical presence during the playoffs, a postseason where his minutes actually increased compared to the regular season. It’s no secret Berube appreciates Benoit’s simple, physical north-south type of hockey he brings to the Maple Leafs’ dressing room.
Heading into the new year, Berube needs more offence from his blueline, and it all can’t come down to just Morgan Rielly turning back the clock. That’s where Ekman-Larsson comes in. Not only is he going to get a regular look on the Leafs’ second power-play, Berube is hopeful by being on his more natural side of the ice, it will allow him to start rushes, make crisp outlet passes, and jump into the rush a lot more this season.
Benoit’s ability to play the right side not only could have benefits for the Maple Leafs’ secondary scoring, it’s going to help him personally. He’s at the bottom of Toronto’s depth chart when it comes to the blueline, and there’s no denying the fact he’ll have to sustain consistency this year, and fend off the likes of Philippe Myers and Ben Danford for the sixth spot on Toronto’s blueline. Both players are right-handed shots and are essentially the two next in line to take roles with the ‘regulars’. Add in Henry Thrun and even, Matt Benning, and if Berube doesn’t like what he’s seeing from Benoit early on this season, there are options to make a change. Let’s hope for Benoit’s sake that’s not the case and he’s able to continue to deliver as a Maple Leaf.
Benoit had a late start to camp so it’s going to be very important for him to get off on the right foot once the puck drops for real on against the Canadiens. Sticking to his game, and not trying to complicate things by doing to much is going to be his recipe for success.
“Playing simple. There’s no point trying to play a different game than usual. Keeping it simple, getting your habits back, and being well positioned on the ice. Just making sure I’m ready for Game 1.”