Toronto Maple Leafs sign defenseman Simon Benoit to three-year contract extension

Another body on the blue line playing in the hockey mecca of the world is being locked up over the next few seasons.

On Friday, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman Simon Benoit to a three-year contract extension set to kick in next season. The deal will carry a $1.35 million AAV through the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

The 25-year-old is currently on a one-year deal, with a $775,000 cap hit, that he signed with Toronto last August. This new deal is the first contract in Benoit’s young career to see him get paid over $1 million a season.

With injuries to the likes of Morgan Rielly and Timothy Liljegren throughout the season, the Laval native’s role with the Maple Leafs has grown despite having started this season with their American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. With the aforementioned out of the lineup, Benoit is currently listed on the top pair alongside Jake McCabe.

His offensive numbers are not as elevated as last season with the Anaheim Ducks, when Benoit registered 10 points in 78 games. In 54 games this year, he has notched five points, with his lone goal coming back in the Leafs’ 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Jan. 27.

In 191 career appearances, Benoit has scored five goals and 15 assists. The undrafted blueliner has yet to appear in a playoff game, as he spent his first two full seasons in the league with the Ducks.

The Maple Leafs (41-22-9) are scheduled to visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night. Toronto is third in the Atlantic Division, six points behind the Florida Panthers for second place, but are just four in front of the fourth-place Tampa Bay Lightning.