Benoit has been sent down and recalled frequently, most likely as a paper transaction. He is expected to serve as the Maple Leafs' No.7/reserve defenseman for Saturday's game against the Wild.
Boyd had 15 goals, 19 assists, 94 SOG, 26 PIMs and a -32 plus/minus through 82 games played with Arizona in 2022-23 but will be a healthy scratch for their season opener vs. New Jersey. It comes as a bit of a surprise after Boyd finished sixth in team scoring last season but he will be replaced by Jack McBain. Boyd is entering his sixth NHL season and has 45 goals and 110 points in 280 career games played.
Benoit was recalled from Toronto (AHL) ahead of the Maple Leafs' season opener Wednesday vs. Montreal but was a healthy scratch and has been loaned back to Marlies on Thursday. The 25-year-old defensemen signed a one-year contract worth $775,000 during the offseason with the Maple Leafs after three goals, 10 points and 60 PIMs in 78 games played with Anaheim in 2022-23.
Benoit cleared waivers yesterday but has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) Wednesday. The 25-year-old defenseman signed a one-year, $775,000 contract during the offseason after three goals, seven assists, 82 SOG, 60 PIMs and a -29 plus/minus in 78 games played with Anaheim in 2022-23.
Cowan was selected by the Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft (28th overall) and had an incredibly impressive training camp but has been reassigned to the London Knights (OHL) for the 2023-24 season. The 18-year-old forward returns to junior hockey where he had 20 goals, 33 assists, 47 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus in 68 games in 2022-23.
Robertson had a shot to make the Maple Leafs' opening night roster for a third-straight season but has been loaned to the Toronto Marlies (AHL) to start the 2023-24 campaign. The 22-year-old left-winger had two goals, three assists, 27 SOG, and a +2 plus/minus through 15 games with the Maple Leafs in 2022-23 and should find his way back to the big club sooner rather than later. The Maple Leafs' 2019 second-round draft pick (53rd overall) still carries rookie distinction even though he has appeared sporadically for Toronto in the last three seasons (31 GP).
The Toronto Maple Leafs opened camp Thursday with the news that Simon Benoit is day-to-day with back spasms. The 25-year-old had three goals, seven assists, 60 PIMs, 82 SOG and a -29 plus/minus in 78 games played with Anaheim in 2022-23. Benoit signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Maple Leafs in the offseason and will hope to be back soon as he makes a push to make their opening night roster.
Muzzin was only able to play in four games in 2022-23 with the Maple Leafs and picked up an assist and eight SOG across that span before missing the majority of the season due to a Cervical Spine injury. He is expected to spend the entire 2023-24 season on the long-term injured reserve for the final year of his contract. The 34-year-old defensemen is currently sitting on 69 goals, 294 points, and 399 PIMs across 683 career games played.
Benoit played his first full NHL season in 2023, posting three goals with seven assists (10 points) in 78 games. The 6-foot-3, 203 lbs. blueliner is known more for his rugged defensive play, blocking 128 shots and laying 216 hits for the Ducks. Given the Maple Leafs' depth, Benoit will likely serve as an extra defenseman or head to the AHL.
Cowan was Toronto's 2023 1st round pick (28th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Thursday with the Maple Leafs. The 18-year-old centre is fresh off a 20 goal, 53 point, 47 PIM, and +10 plus/minus season across 68 games in 2022-23 with the London Knights (OHL). He is expected to spend the 2023-24 season back with London.
Groulx had 18 goals, 21 assists, 41 PIMs and a -22 plus/minus through 63 games played with San Diego (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, $775,000 contract extension with Anaheim. The 23-year-old forward was a 2018 2nd round pick (54th overall) and has a goal and three points across 20 career NHL games.
Maccelli broke out in 2022-23 with Arizona as he finished second in rookie scoring with 11 goals, 38 assists, 18 PIMs and 61 SOG and has signed a three-year, $10.275 million contract extension ($3,425,000 AAV).The 22-year-old left-winger was drafted by Arizona in the fourth-round (98th overall) and has 12 goals and 55 points in 87 career games.
Lettieri had 23 goals, 26 assists, 34 PIMs and a +9 plus/minus through 48 games played with Providence (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, two-way contract worth $1.55 million ($750,000 AAV) with Minnesota. The 28-year-old veteran right-winger brings seven goals and 18 points across 83 career NHL games played to the Wild after appearing in one game for the Boston Bruins in 2022-23.
Rifai had four goals, 12 assists, 118 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus in his first season with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) in 2022-23 and has now signed a two-year, entry-level contract worth $775,000 AAV. The 25-year-old defenseman has yet to make his NHL debut after joining the Marlies as an undrafted free agent in 2022-23 after completing four years at Harvard (NCAA).
Domi had 20 goals, 36 assists, 179 SOG, 82 PIMs and a -15 plus/minus through 80 games with both Chicago and Dallas in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year deal worth $3 Million with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 28-year-old centre will follow in the footsteps of his father who played 777 games for the Maple Leafs and picked up 196 points (84G/112A) and 2265 PIMs. Max has picked up 121 goals and 370 points in 581 career NHL games with six different teams.
Stolarz was 5-6-0 with a .899 SV% and 3.73 GAA through 19 games with Anaheim in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, $1.1 million deal with the Florida Panthers. The 29-year-old goaltender was a second-round pick in 2012 (45th overall) and has a career record of 27-24-7 with a 2.93 GAA and .912 SV% throughout 81 NHL games.
Ekman-Larsson had two goals and 20 assists (22 points) in 54 games with the Canucks last season before being bought out this summer. With Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour expected to miss a portion of the early part of next season, Ekman-Larsson provides some veteran depth on the blueline.
Mermis spent most of the 2023 season in the AHL, but appeared in two NHL games with the Wild. The 29-year-old blue liner had 26 points (5G / 21A) in 63 AHL games and has four points (1G / 3A) in 27 career NHL games with the Coyotes, Devils and Wild.
