Leafs announce multi-year extension for fan favourite Simon Benoit

Benoit joined the Leafs at the end of August when he signed a 1-year, $775K deal. At the time, he was thought to be the seventh or even eighth defenseman on the Leafs' depth chart, but due to a number of injuries, the Quebec native was given an opportunity to play in the top six and has flourished in an expanded role.

In 54 games with the Leafs this season, Benoit has scored one goal and added four assists, but has endeared himself to Leaf fans for his physicality and willingness to sacrifice his body, blocking shots, dropping the gloves and laying huge hits on a nightly basis.

The 25-year-old was an undrafted free agent signing by the Anaheim Ducks, but after three seasons, they chose not to issue him a qualifying offer last off-season. Their loss, the Leafs' gain. In 191 career NHL games, the Laval, Que. native has five goals and 20 points.

Per TSN's Pierre LeBrun, Benoit's deal has a very simple structure. The Leafs avoid paying any signing bonuses, and Benoit will earn his $1.35M per season in flat salary. Tidy piece of work by Brad Treliving here, and for Benoit, I'm sure he's thrilled to have some stability.

Benoit was set to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights at the end of the season.