Why We're Convinced Jani Hakanpaa Will Take Simon Benoit's Spot on the Maple Leafs Defense

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Chris Gerics
November 3, 2024 (3:48 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have Jani Hakanpaa very close to returning, and with how Simon Benoit has been recently, he could find himself as the team's 7th blueliner.

GM Brad Treliving made it his mission this summer to address the Maple Leafs' holes in their lineup, specifically their defense and goaltending. Adding Chris Tanev, Oliver-Ekman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpaa on their blueline, and signing Anthony Stolarz to patrol the crease with Joseph Woll; it was a complete shift in philosophy.

The defensemen have been as advertised, minus Hakanpaa who is currently on the mend from a knee injury. His return is imminent and after a conditioning stint in the AHL, there's no doubt he will return as a key part of the Maple Leafs defense.

Simon Benoit's Step Back This Season

Speaking on the Real Kyper and Bourne Podcast Podcast, hosts Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne commented on Simon Benoit's drop off and if the defenseman is going to have a spot in the lineup when Hakanpaa returns:

Justin Bourne: "I wanna bring up Simon Benoit. Your thoughts on Benoit this year? Do you think he's dropped?"

Nick Kypreos: "I do. I do think he's taken a step back. I don't know if it's kind of, lost a step but maybe he's just a step behind where he was."

JB: "Look at last year, he's second pair with McCabe, they're a shutdown pair you know, they're like the Bash Brothers, I think he was in a good spot. This year is like 'You're back where you're supposed to be', you're a third-line guy, you're actually going to carry a partner who's not been awesome, yeah it's a bit much.

I'm gonna say this is on my mind all the time with him. He had a kid, a newborn in the summer. You laugh, but it messes with your sleep 100%. I have buddies, it's like, it's the type of thing you just don't feel good for a while."

NK: "I'm not saying this is his situation, I don't know if Hakanpaa in the background is making him feel like something's looming; if he comes in does he take my spot? Is there a spot on this blueline for both of us? I don't know if it's in the back of his mind but if it is, he's only human."

Time Is Running Out For Benoit Minute By Minute

Simon Benoit has had it rough, no doubt about it. Whether fatherhood has a part in his slump in production or not is up for debate, but the fact is that Benoit has found himself losing nearly two minutes of ice time this season compared to last season.

From 17:14 last year to 15:32 this year, that is about 2 shifts on average that Benoit is losing out on. If a lack of focus is the issue, perhaps giving Benoit a mental break and sitting him a few games would be the right move. It seemed to have worked for Max Pacioretty, so who knows what benefits it has. Benoit has looked out of sorts at times, with his mind seemingly elsewhere and not on the ice, and it leads to some defensive errors.

Jani Hakanpaa brings a lot to the table with his defensive acumen, and does it better than Benoit. Sure, there's always the question of is Hakanpaa is game-ready, but with how Benoit has underperformed, they need to give their coveted elite shutdown defender a chance to make an impact. If he comes in and makes a statement that Toronto needs him more than Benoit, and with Conor Timmins showing big promise; it could be difficult to find minutes.

Time will tell whether or not Simon Benoit will get back into his form like he had last year, but with the arrival of Jani Hakanpaa looming, and his mental focus elsewhere, it might not be the easiest road back.