Toronto Maple Leafs get bigger and meaner as Brad Treliving looks to transform team's defense

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Josh tupper
August 28, 2023 (11:13)

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When it comes to building an NHL defense, Brad Treliving has always prioritized big and tough puck moving defenders. Size and strength is one of the things that have lacked on the Leafs backend after the departure of Like Schenn.

Today however Treliving turned to the free agent market to add some depth to the Leafs bottom pairing. The Maple Leafs announced that they have officially signed 24-year-old defender Simon Benoit.

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed defenceman Simon Benoit to a one-year contract worth $775,000.

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Benoit, 24, played 78 games last year with the Anaheim Ducks. Last season he scored 3 goals and 7 assists. Benoit is 6'3 and 208 lbs. Benoit also registered 216 hits last season for the Ducks.

Benoit also isn't afraid to drop the gloves having done so last season with Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals and Mason Marchment of the Dallas Stars.