Player Discussion What is Simon Benoit's ceiling?

[The Hanging Jowl]

Every time people start talking up Benoit in a contract year, I say this to myself:

 

[Menzinger]

A consistent #5

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Like Justin Holl, we'll be calling for his head in the not so distant future. So enjoy him while he's cheap and not played too far up the lineup.

I don't think that's going to happen. I don't see similarities between Benoit and Holl that would lead us to jump on Benoit. Benoit is more physical and isn't as prone to egregious errors like Holl. Holl also thought he was some kind of offensive dynamo when he wasn't.

 

[Skullz]

I think Benoit could become a solid #4 playing next to an offensive D. He has not played a lot of games, and he moves the puck well, albeit safely.

The only real hindrance is in the offensive zone, but if he can work on that a little, just make solid simple plays and maybe improve his skating a little, he could be a solid player for him.

Either way, I irrationality love him.

 

[BigBlu]

Impossible to compare. There is only 1 Simon Benoit.

 

[Stephen]

Just play like this and don't give him the green light to do more offensively.

 

[Magic Man]

A gritty #5 defenseman with #4 defenseman upside next to a more offensively inclined partner.

He might be Treliving's best signing. He fits really well on a league min deal with RFA control.

 

[Maple Leaf]

I would say a Dion Phaneuf type

 

[wingman75]

He's been great but I wouldn't expect anything more than what we're seeing......which is fine.

Came to say this...

This is his ceiling, which can be good for us with the proper toppers... which we do not have.

 

[Fogelhund]

A gritty #5 defenseman with #4 defenseman upside next to a more offensively inclined partner.

He might be Treliving's best signing. He fits really well on a league min deal with RFA control.

If we had a prime Muzzin level D as our #3, Benoit could make a decent #4.... but I think on his own, he's a 5/6 guy. Now that doesn't mean just a Muzzin type in play style... it could be a Forsling or Hanifin type guy too... But just a partner that is that good, that they can raise their partners game.

 

[mjd1001]

Ceiling? I'm not sure of the ultimate ceiling...but 'practical ceiling' (something he has a 50-50 chance of acheiving) is a very good 7th guy....who can step into a bottom pair roll without a problem, and in a pinch can play a few games on a 2nd pair.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

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[peconcan]

I would say a Dion Phaneuf type

As much as he sucked with us I can’t see Beniot being as good as a prime Phaneuf

 

[Raging Bull]

This right now.

 

[Gabriel426]

I don't think that's going to happen. I don't see similarities between Benoit and Holl that would lead us to jump on Benoit. Benoit is more physical and isn't as prone to egregious errors like Holl. Holl also thought he was some kind of offensive dynamo when he wasn't.

Nailed it.
Holl is solid if he doesn’t think he is Makar.
Holl problem was getting caught and not just keeping it simple.
I can’t see Benoit ever not keeping it simple.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Benoit is a 3rd pairing LD that will block shots and lay hits.

There is no offense to his game, he should cost 900k-1M for 2 years and by then he will be 28 years old, if no other options emerge you could do another 1-2 year deal if the price is right but after 30 you'd probably want to move on.

 

[BraveCanadian]

3rd pairing guy who is the workman like player Toronto always loves

 

[Leafs87]

I would say a Dion Phaneuf type

Phaneuf gets a lot of crap because he was played higher than he should have been but he was still a hell of player. No way I see Benoit reaching anywhere near Dion’s level (maybe tail end of his career Dion). This is coming from a guy who loves Benoit, but if he gets paid 2.5+ and plays top 4 he’s no longer a positive asset. I think every team needs a Benoit type on their bottom pairing and at a team friendly cap. Something I thought Schenn would have been this year for us.

 

[Ports]

They could use two more like him. His potential is as a #4 four defenseman at best but the Leafs defense being devoid of physicality other than him and McCabe is a problem in the playoffs. Top three D should all have some offensive upside and at least one with a bit of snarl. Bottom three all need to be physical with at least one puck mover in the group. Benoit does his job well. He plays a hard physical in your face game and doesn’t try to do too much with the puck. It’s a low event game both ways when he’s on the ice and on an erratic Leafs team that’s valuable.

 

[Roo]

I believe we are witnessing his ceiling. Sure he can get better, maybe spend some time on the second pairing with a strong partner. However, I suspect what you see is what you're going to get with him. No problem with that though, its important for us.

 

[Commander Clueless]

It's a bit of a personal question but I'm going to guess smooth and an off-white or grey.

Unfortunately popcorn ceilings went out of style a few years back now.

 

[banks]

He's at his ceiling. Dependable 3rd pair guy, who can step up for stretches of games playing over 20 minutes without hurting you.

He's too low event to be a long-term contributor on a 2nd pairing, unless he's paired with a hero. I'm a big fan. I mentioned him a few times in the offseason as a potential target before any news connected him to TO. But the ceiling is there.

 

[Anthrax442]

he is a good #5

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

I had high expectations for Benoit this year.

So I'm glad to see he's performing well. No offense to Benoit but I think we all know what we got here. Normally he would be a bottom pairing defenseman on a SC contending team.

But on the Leafs he might be second pairing next year.

That's not a knock against Benoit either. It's a knock against a Toronto Maple Leafs organization that thinks having guys like Benoit in the top four is good enough. Scary to think about on its own.

Even scarier when you consider Lyubushkin might be on the top pair.

This is what you get when you gamble on the payroll and roster construction. Cheap plugs like Benoit playing over their heads. It worked so well in Anaheim.

I'm sure Benoit will be fine playing twenty minutes a night here in Toronto.

 

[TMLegend]

I think some people are understating his ceiling a little bit. I don't see any reason why he can't be a compliment to a puck moving D or form a shutdown pair with another strong defender in the top 4 one day.

His ice time has been trending up the last month or so as well, often in the high teens or low twenties.