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Simon Benoit has emerged as a trade target as the Leafs chances of selling continue to increase.
Rumors continue to swirl about the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs this season as Toronto looks more and more as if selling is on the table for the team.
Despite resistance from GM Brad Treliving on being sellers even with a challenging season that sees Toronto outside the playoff picture, reported recently by TSN’s Darren Dreger that Toronto was hesitant to sell.
With the Leafs insistent that they can still make the playoffs, Toronto has not made any trade plans serious, but rumors have persisted and now involve Simon Benoit.
According to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit is someone that is viewed as a trade target by opposing NHL teams.
Benoit, 27, is a defensive defenseman with size and physical strength who lacks an offensive game, but plays with solid defensive control.
Simon Benoit emerges as a trade target, and Toronto may want to deal
Simon Benoit is looking as if he could be dealt by the Toronto Maple Leafs if the team continues to struggle closer to the trade deadline, but if Benoit has real value, a deal may be logical even if they’re closer to contention.
Much like fellow Leaf Bobby McMann, who is linked as a trade target who could net a first round pick, the return of Benoit may be too valuable to pass up on, even if Toronto goes on a run closer to the deadline.
Benoit lacks an offensive game, with just three points in 49 games. There is little in Benoit’s game beyond his size, and his game is limited to a bottom-pairing role. If he can get anything along the lines of a mid-round pick, it may be too much to pass up on.
Toronto has additional defensive options to replace Benoit such as Henry Thrun, Philippe Myers, & William Villeneuve, the latter two already having played for Toronto this season.
Unless Benoit has some massive growth in his game leading up to the deadline that helps Toronto, trading him appears logical. Even then on the flip side, Benoit would be raising his trade stock with a strong performance to close those last weeks out.
A replacement level player, Simon Benoit has value for teams as defensive depth, and could go for just above his market price in a thin trade crop.
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Simon Benoit is starting to show up on other teams’ trade radars
Should the Leafs trade Simon Benoit if a mid-round pick (3rd-5th) is offered?