Swift Changes: Simon Benoit expresses his desire to rejoin the Maple Leafs

Simon Benoit and Alice live in a busy house full with animals.

When her shot-blocking, fist-throwing, heart-on-sleeve wearing boyfriend is away on a road trip, they keep Alice company and make her feel comfortable. On Toronto Maple Leafs off-days, they also keep the pair occupied with walks and playtime.

Alice, a former bartender from Shawinigan, Quebec, gave her 100-pound mixed-black Labrador retriever the name Molson.

While Benoit was playing for the Ducks, the couple went to California and picked up a second puppy, smaller and with rough fur. They gave him the name Bourbon.

A brief mash-up of the lessons we learned, both serious and not so serious, from the hockey week, spanning four lines deep. Lanny, get better!

Simon Benoit and Alice, his girlfriend, have a lot of animals in their house.

Alice, a former bartender from Shawinigan, Quebec, gave her 100-pound mixed-black Labrador retriever the name Molson.

While Benoit was playing for the Ducks, the couple went to California and picked up a second puppy, smaller and with rough fur. They gave him the name Bourbon.

Additionally, when one of Alice’s pals was

Benoit has quickly become a favorite among the team’s supporters and, as a man eager to offer personal anecdotes, the people who follow the Leafs as they try to bolster their blue line before the trade deadline.

Benoit is beginning to feel at home too, even though he signed a one-year contract and is the only francophone on the team.

Along with some teammates, he is able to have a conversation in French with assistant coaches Guy Boucher, Mike Van Ryn, and Manny Malhotra.

Benoit remarks, “A couple guys know a couple sentences.” “Some guys know just the bad words.”

He has steadily gained the respect of head coach Sheldon Keefe and established a rapport with the equally tough Jake McCabe (“He makes

Benoit remarking, “It makes my life easier,” he is happy to be in Toronto.

Together with Alice, he envisions a future in the city for Molson, Bourbon, and Brandy.

“So far, it’s been fantastic. Benoit, an RFA that is still pending, says, “I truly value my time here.

“I wish I could resign. I prefer not to think about it, though. I only consider my upcoming game.”

The 25-year-old undrafted player is committed to keeping getting better. The day after a game, he goes through each of his shifts on an iPad. He doesn’t focus on his spectacular hits, bold shot blocks, or last-minute goal-line saves. ( “In the moment, you don’t even have time to think,” he states. “You really just react and hope it works.” )

Even though Benoit is often expected to play in the top four minutes as a third-pair player, he finds inspiration in the most difficult situations.

Isn’t it always enjoyable? The most enjoyable games, in my opinion, are those involving the top players. When you get to stop the likes of Ovie, Crosby, McDavid, and all those huge players that you get to play against? I draw my pride from there,” Benoit remarks.

“Because I am not the type of player who will go up and score a goal and deke everyone.” However, that’s my pride if I can remove them, right?”

Assuming UFA standing, Sam Reinhart leads in productivity, and the difference is not very little.

The standout player for the Florida Panthers has already scored 38 goals and averages 1.24 points per contest. If the man were to step onto the open market, he could start quite the bidding war, but Reinhart says he “absolutely” wants to stay put.

That’s the clear objective, and it comes from both directions. We both said as much. Thus, it remains to be seen, but that’s definitely Option A,” adds Reinhart, whose talks for an extension are still ongoing.

It’s excellent if everything is resolved in-season. It’s okay if the difficult conversations don’t start until after the forward anticipates another lengthy postseason run.

“Where we are right now is comfortable for both of us. Our primary focus this year is on trying to win a Stanley Cup, which is what both of us are aiming for,” says Reinhart.

“We are both aware of one another’s positions. We both understand the need to complete a task. It’s not bothering me in the slightest because we’re both happy with the way things are progressing. Furthermore, I believe that certain things require time when building something like what we’re trying accomplish in Florida.”

Paradoxically, Reinhart thinks that having had the shortest NHL summer of his career helped him be ready to go from the first puck drop. He is more confident than ever.

Reinhart says he felt more at ease playing out his contract since he got a head start on scoring goals. He is aware that things could have turned out differently.

It’s far simpler when you have some statistics to refer to. The sooner, the better. additionally, the easier it is on me. I believe that living in Florida has given me a wonderful work-life balance that makes it simple for me to be present. Some excellent teammates,” states Reinhart, who is hoping for a longer contract on his next agreement.

Reinhart has never committed to a deal that lasts more than three seasons, much like his former teammate Joe Thornton.

“You want that comfort — and that’s not going to change my drive as a player, as a person,” Reinhart asserts. “Yeah, the short-term agreements haven’t been all that simple. I made a joke about it a few years ago in Florida with Joe Thornton. His longest was three, and you can see the kind of career he’s had. I believe that this is something you should seize every chance you have.”