Maple Leafs' Simon Benoit vows improvement after critical self-assessment

Simon Benoit is holding himself accountable, admitting his play for the Toronto Maple Leafs has fallen short this season.

"I have to be better. I've been too passive. I don't have the knife in my teeth right now," Benoit said via The Hockey News, after assuming a larger role due to injuries on the blue line, including the absence of Chris Tanev.

Although Benoit leads Leafs defensemen in hits, his impact at five-on-five has been negative. He averages nearly 18 minutes per night and has just two assists with a plus-minus of -2, while the team struggles in its own zone when he is on the ice.

Why Simon Benoit is playing poorly and what to do

The problem is not about hitting more, but when and how. Benoit provides physicality, but his five-on-five play-driving numbers (shot attempt share and shot on goal share are in the lower part of the team) suggest the opponent gets higher-quality possessions and shots when he is out there.

You see the same pattern on most of his shifts. He's a step behind on the rush, can't make a clean play to get out of his own end, and when in doubt, he backs off and gives up the blue line. If his deployment has also increased out of necessity, he has been exposed against middle-six and top-six forwards.

The ideal scenario would be to reduce his usage in high-risk situations and specialize his minutes. He needs to be paired with a defenseman who can move the puck to help him on the breakout, and we have to shelter him by keeping him away from top lines in our own end.

Micro-adjustments will also be necessary, such as engaging the puck carrier earlier, closing off the middle and forcing dump-ins; avoiding pinches without backup. Defined roles will need to be established. Focus on penalty killing and matchups where his physicality does change the equation, and limit extended five-on-five time.

Internal accountability is also needed. If the team can get Tanev back or call up a depth player who can move the puck, giving him a short healthy scratch to reset his game reading could work. If he plays with a controlled edge and makes quicker reads, he can get back to being a reliable, physical presence without being a liability in the shot battle.