Around 2018, my former colleague Troy Bodie (now with the Seattle Kraken) started bringing up the name of a 20-year-old undrafted D plying his trade on an AHL contract for the San Diego Gulls. On video, the player appeared a sound minor-league defender but looked devoid of the next-level skating/skills/sense we looked for under Kyle Dubas? scouting criteria. Troy was confident of the player?s potential after multiple in-person viewings, but we ultimately passed on offering the player a NHL entry-level deal.
Six years later, Simon Benoit signs a three-year, $1.35M AAV contract to remain a Maple Leaf. Not only has Benoit earned TOR coaches? trust with reliable play at even strength and on the penalty kill, but so far with the Leafs he?s moved the puck well enough to break even in terms of expected and actual goals.
It took a while, but Troy was right.
