Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Free-Agent Defenseman

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed free-agent defenseman Simon Benoit. The deal is a one-year for $775,000.

🖊 We’ve signed defenceman Simon Benoit to a one-year contract

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) August 28, 2023

Leafs general manager Brad Treliving wanted to add some size to the depth of his team and the Leafs have done so by adding Benoit. He's 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds, spending the majority of his career to this point between the San Diego Gulls of the AHL and the Anaheim Ducks.

Benoit has 137 games of NHL experience, collecting four goals and 15 points, split between the past three seasons. While it doesn't scream a top-end move, Benoit will get some significant minutes for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL and could be an injury replacement down the road next season.

Benoit did sign a one-way deal so will need to clear waivers if he doesn't make the Maple Leafs out of training camp. He'll likely be battling it out with recently signed d-men William Lagesson and Maxime Lajoie for ice time.

The Leafs add another defenseman. Are they done? Likely not. 

Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports