As the NHL trade deadline creeps closer, the Toronto Maple Leafs could find themselves in a position they didn’t expect to be in at the start of the season: sellers. And if Monday night’s rare crosstown deal between the New York Rangers and Islanders is any indication, there’s real value to be had - especially for teams willing to part with physical, depth defensemen.
The Rangers shipped out Carson Soucy, a pending UFA, to the Islanders in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick. On the surface, it’s a classic deadline move - a team in playoff position bolstering its blue line with a no-frills, stay-at-home type.
But for the Leafs, it’s a signal. The market is open, and it’s paying attention to guys like Simon Benoit.
Simon Benoit: A Trade Chip Hiding in Plain Sight
Benoit’s name has been quietly circulating in trade discussions, and while it might’ve caught some fans off guard, the logic behind it checks out. He’s under contract through next season at a very manageable $1.35 million AAV - the kind of cap-friendly deal that contenders love when trying to shore up their bottom pair.
No, he’s not going to light up the scoresheet - Benoit has just three assists in 45 games this season and sits at a minus-4 - but that’s not why you bring him in. What he brings is edge. He’s physical, tough to play against, and brings that sandpaper element playoff teams crave when the games get tighter and nastier.
In a lot of ways, Benoit offers a similar profile to Soucy - but with some key advantages. He’s four years younger and, crucially, not a rental. That extra year of team control at a bargain price could easily bump his value higher than the third-rounder the Rangers just got back.
What a Benoit Deal Could Look Like
We’re not talking about a blockbuster here. But if Toronto can flip Benoit for a package that includes, say, a third- and a fourth-round pick, that’s a tidy bit of asset management. It’s the kind of move that doesn’t grab headlines but helps build organizational depth - something the Leafs could use more of if they’re eyeing a mini retool.
This isn’t about waving the white flag on the season. It’s about being smart with the pieces you have. Benoit’s future with the Leafs is cloudy at best, and if the team’s playoff hopes continue to fade, it makes sense to cash in now while his value is quietly trending up.
A Subtle, Strategic Move
For Toronto, the idea of selling at the deadline doesn’t have to mean tearing things down. Sometimes it’s about making the most of what you’ve got - turning depth into draft capital, freeing up roster space, and keeping the door open for younger players to step in.
Trading Benoit wouldn’t be a headline-stealer, but it would be a savvy move. And if Monday night’s Rangers-Islanders deal is any indication, the market is ready for exactly this kind of transaction. The Leafs just have to decide if they’re ready to make that pivot.