Pressure Mounts on Craig Berube to Demote Struggling Leafs Defenseman

It's safe to say that this season hasn't exactly been the best for Simon Benoit. While he has put up better offensive numbers from last season, his defense has taken a big hit.

Putting up another minus-2 rating against San Jose and being only a plus-3 this season; it's some of the worst on the team.

Sure, Morgan Rielly has been abysmal in terms of plus/minus but the majority of the goals he's on the ice for are empty netters, there's not much that he can do but his best. Benoit has struggled to keep pace, isn't disrupting opponents enough, and has been hitting a lot less; not good for a 6'4, 211 pound defender.

Having Benoit paired with Oliver Ekman-Larsson (on his weaker side nonetheless) hasn't worked out, and if this is the type of performance against the worst team in the league, then the playoffs are basically a moot point.

While he hasn't been a standout defender this season, it should be Philippe Myers' turn to shine, especially given that Toronto has been so invested in him. He is a bit bigger than Benoit, and while his numbers are slightly worse, Myers needs a chance.

There's not much time left to get things figured out, and moving Myers in for Benoit would be able to give Ekman-Larsson a chance to play on his strong side and hopefully bring him back into defensive and offensive form.

It's getting frustrating for fans too.

The fact that Toronto's defense has taken such a downturn from earlier this season feels like it's 2023 all over again, sure the team can score goals but they are giving up way too many; especially shorthanded.

It's time for Benoit to pick things up and start playing to the standard we all know he can play at. If not, then Craig Berube should have no qualms about letting him sit and giving another defenseman a chance to help out.

They need all the help they can get come playoff time, that's for sure.