Simon Benoit Is Expected to be Scratched Once Again Tomorrow vs Carolina
The Toronto Maple Leafs haven't exactly been blessed with an abundance of defenseman this year. Following the trade deadline though, one Leafs blueliner has gotten the short end of the stick.
Benoit To Be Healthy Scratch Against Carolina
That blueliner would be none other than Simon Benoit. The 25-year-old has quietly become one of the league's top shutdown defenseman this year. However, since the Leafs acquired more defenseman at the trade deadline, he has repeatedly been a healthy scratch. Today it was confirmed that he will sit again when the team takes on the Carolina Hurricanes.
Expected to be scratched again: ❌
Simon Benoit Is expected to be scratched once again tomorrow vs Carolina.
This news is very upsetting to a subset of Leafs fans who believe Benoit deserves to be in the lineup over some of the other guys.
Leafs Fans Express Frustration With Sheldon Keefe Lineup Choices
Many fans have taken to social media to call out Keefe for less than optimal lineup choices. Benoit has been much better defensively than a number of Leafs blueliners, and as such, many fans think he deserves to be in the lineup, even over veterans like TJ Brodie.
This trend for Benoit started on the Leaf's road trip when they visited Montreal. A large and vocal part of the Leafs fanbase was upset with Keefe scratching Benoit in what would have been his first career game in his hometown.
They're really sitting Simon Benoit � our best defensemen, in his hometown because we didn't trade for a RHD. Can't make this shit up
These fans have also pointed out that Keefe is shooting himself in the foot. He said he didn't want to scratch Benoit in Montreal, but ultimately that is his decision to make. So why not just let him play? He certainly isn't hurting the team when he's in the lineup.
�it kills me having to sit Simon Benoit tonight' THEN DONT DO IT???
POLL |
MARS 15 | 819 ANSWERS Simon Benoit Is Expected to be Scratched Once Again Tomorrow vs Carolina Do you think Benoit should be in the lineup tomorrow? |
Yes | 732 | 89.4 % |
No | 87 | 10.6 % |
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Previously on HockeyPatrol