Maple Leafs Get Unexpected Twist in Simon Benoit Injury Situation
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a new update on the status of Simon Benoit and his return to the lineup after missing the beginning of camp with an upper-body injury.
Head coach Craig Berube provided an update when Simon Benoit would be able to return for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the preseason.
Benoit has been out since early in the Leafs training camp due to an upper-body injury. Benoit did not appear in the Leafs most recent game against the Ottawa Senators and has not been practicing with the club.
Berube has said that there's no current timeline for Benoit's return, which has been the Leafs usual standard with injuries not revealing specific details about a return, but Berube has today given an update on where Benoit is at and gave an idea of how long he may be out.
Simon Benoit Back on the Ice Sooner Than Expected
Speaking to reporters, Craig Berube said that Simon Benoit is making progress in his return from injury, saying that Benoit's upper-body injury is «not serious» and that he anticipates the Leafs defenseman being able to return at some point.
Simon Benoit is currently skating on his own, but has still not rejoined the team as he works towards being cleared for contact and being able to return to the team at a full capacity.
On fellow injured Leafs Max Domi and Nicolas Roy, Craig Berube said he'd hope to get the two into preseason games at some point, with the two having skated in practice and seemingly appearing close to a return.
Berube has still not committed to a possible return date for Benoit or if he would even play for the Leafs in the preseason, with it unknown if it's just Berube choosing not to reveal too much, or if any new information about Benoit is minimal, or both being the case.
The Leafs have not indicated when Benoit would be back, but if the progress is there, the hope would be for the Leafs to get Benoit in preseason games, lining up with Berube's hope for his return being sooner, and more positive for Toronto being before the regular season starts.
What Benoit's Status Means for Toronto's Blue Line Depth
The absence of Benoit has opened up the potential for other candidates to potentially take Benoit's spot in the lineup. Already the most vulnerable Leaf on the blueline, the spot has become even more capable of being taken from him.
The two main competitors for this final lineup spot are Philippe Myers and Henry Thrun, both players with NHL experience trying to push their way into the lineup while fighting for a 7th defenseman spot themselves.
Prospect Ben Danford was one of the Leafs top defensemen against Ottawa, although he's still a longshot to make the Leafs but has bought himself more time on the preseason roster.
It's still likely that Benoit has the third pairing spot locked down for now, with the Leafs unlikely to be changing up their defense from last season, but the longer Benoit goes without playing, the more chances other options give to present themselves as real alternatives to his job.
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