Pittsburgh Penguins consider trade move for Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit before deadline

The NHL trade deadline is set to become very active, and the Pittsburgh Penguins should be very active with the defensive depth becoming one of the primary focus areas. With NHL trade rumors in the air, the organization is thought to be looking at some inexpensive additions that can stabilize the bottom pairing and give the organization an insurance in case of injuries towards the stretch run. Pittsburgh’s front office is prioritizing affordable, playoff-ready defensive reinforcements this season. That urgency increases as the Eastern Conference playoff race tightens further.


Simon Benoit of the Toronto Maple Leafs is one of the few names that have created murmurs in the recent NHL news roundup. As Toronto handles the roster management and any long-range strategy, Benoit has emerged as a possible trade target, and he is an interesting candidate to fill the blue line in Pittsburgh.

Simon Benoit is linked to Pittsburgh Penguins trade rumor interest

Simon Benoit has attracted attention as an even, physical defenseman who can play on either side of the ice as part of the recent updates on the NHL. He is 6-foot-4, and with his size and stay-at-home style, it may be a good addition to the already existing defensive core in Pittsburgh. Consistency has sometimes been a problem when it comes to the Penguins' third pairing, and a defense-first style of Benoit could fill that void.

Notably, Benoit is not a short-term rental only. He has a cheap cap burden into the following season, which enhances value within a Penguins team that is negotiating between the current competitive success and the long-term capability of the roster. Such a contract scheme would add value to his attractiveness over bare deadline rentals.

On the side of Toronto, relocating Benoit would most probably rely on their ranking and the general deadline plan. The Maple Leafs have several NHL-capable defensive players, and this may render one of them redundant in case the right offer comes along.

Although no deal has been imminent, trade rumors in the NHL may indicate that Pittsburgh may follow the situation closely. As long as the Penguins are interested in building their defensive reserves in place before the postseason rush, Simon Benoit can be a sensible and cost-effective option.

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