The goaltender, who has been out all season after hip surgery, joined his teammates for the club's morning skate ahead of their game against the New Jersey Devils Simon Benoit will be part of the Maple Leafs organization for the next three seasons. The defenseman inked a three-year extension with the club on Friday morning, which will carry an annual average value of $1.35 million. Benoit is having a career season with the Maple Leafs. Although his point production is low with just one goal and four assists in 54 games this year, his underlying numbers are very strong. He's fifth among Maple Leafs defenseman with a 51.76 xGF% at five-on-five and also has the sixth-best GF% (54.10) on the team at five-on-five, according to NaturalStatTrick.com [https://naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20232024&thruseason=20232024&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=oi&rate=n&team=TOR&pos=D&loc=B&toi=200&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL]. Toronto signed Benoit to a one-year, $775,000 deal on Aug. 28 after the Anaheim Ducks didn't qualify the restricted free agent defenseman. The 25-year-old joined Anaheim on a three-year entry-level contract after spending a season on an AHL contract with the San Diego Gulls. Benoit averages the sixth-most ice time of any defender on the Maple Leafs this season, playing an average of 16:55 per game. Benoit also leads Toronto in hits with 205 on the season. After signing a three-year extension, the defenseman will become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related 'Something I Promised I Would Do After My Dad Passed Away If I Scored': Mark Giordano's Return to the Maple Leafs Lineup and His Tribute to His Late Father, Paul [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/something-i-promised-i-would-do-after-my-dad-passed-away-if-i-scored-mark-giordanos-return-to-the-maple-leafs-lineup-and-his-tribute-to-his-late-father-paul] Maple Leafs Defenseman Timothy Liljegren is 'Going To Miss Some Time' With an Upper-Body Injury [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-defenseman-timothy-liljegren-is-going-to-miss-some-time-with-an-upper-body-injury] Auston Matthews Good to Play Against Capitals, Timothy Liljegren Out With an Upper-Body Injury, and Mark Giordano Activated Off Long-Term Injured [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/auston-matthews-good-to-play-against-capitals-timothy-liljegren-out-with-an-upper-body-injury-and-mark-giordano-activated-off-long-term-injured] News from THN.com Capitals' Ethan Bear to Receive Care from NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program [https://thehockeynews.com/news/capitals-ethan-bear-to-receive-care-from-nhl-nhlpa-player-assistance-program] Archive: Former Toronto Forward David Clarkson Earned Reputation As Sandpaper NHL Force [https://thehockeynews.com/news/archive-local-toronto-forward-david-clarkson-earned-reputation-as-sandpaper-nhl-force] NHL Sour Rankings: How Celebrini Could Fit In Among the NHL Draft Lottery Hopefuls [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-sour-rankings-how-celebrini-could-fit-in-among-the-nhl-draft-lottery-hopefuls]
