NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs Defenseman Lands on Latest Trade Board
The Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t expect Simon Benoit to be part of deadline chatter, but that’s exactly where things are trending now that he’s landed on The Athletic’s trade board.
With the Leafs trying to reshape a crowded blue line and rival teams hunting for cheap, dependable depth, Benoit’s name is suddenly making the rounds as a realistic trade piece.
Why Benoit has become a trade candidate for Toronto
Benoit checks a lot of deadline boxes for teams that want a simple add that fits under the cap. He’s 27, he’s 6 foot 4, he can play either side, and he’s signed for two more years at just $1.35 million per season, which is the kind of contract contenders love when they need a third pair defender who can survive hard minutes.
He’s played 41 games this season, and while the offense is almost nonexistent with zero goals and three assists, the value comes from the work: 112 hits, 67 blocks across 43 games, and a style that leans into physical play and shot blocking.
Simon Benoit SITS DOWN Lucas Raymond 💥 pic.twitter.com/9gWuYLUkqX
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 22, 2026
The recent healthy scratches have only made the situation more intriguing for interested teams, because if Toronto is comfortable sitting him at times, it might not be hard to see why they’d listen if the right offer shows up, especially if the team keeps struggling to keep pace in the standings.
During his time in Toronto, Benoit has recorded two goals, 18 total points, a +17 plus/minus rating, 280 blocked shots, and 562 hits across 185 games played.
What a Benoit trade could mean for the Leafs at the deadline
The Leafs have depth options that can replicate parts of Benoit’s role, and they are still sniffing around upgrades on the back end, especially with Chris Tanev’s injury creating more urgency to stabilize the group.
Benoit also has a little playoff credibility in his pocket after last spring, when he managed to be on the ice for a couple of big moments, including factoring into two overtime winners.
🎙️ | Simon Benoit | Post Game vs. Detroit Red Wings | Jan 21 pic.twitter.com/6y3hCInNnA
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 22, 2026
The return is not going to be massive, but Benoit’s contract is so clean that even a modest package of picks or a prospect starts to look useful for a Leafs team that could use more flexibility and more future ammo.
Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
