Benoit was a surprise scratch on Wednesday, with the Maple Leafs not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Dakota Mermis will dress in his place.

Benoit has yet to return to Toronto's training camp after it was announced that the defenseman was still potentially dealing with an upper-body injury that lingered from last season. Toronto is hopeful to have its sixth defenseman back before its opening game on October 8th vs Montreal, after he appeared in all but four games in 2024-25, putting up a goal, 10 points, and a +12 plus/minus.

Philippe Myers will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing Benoit to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Benoit is averaging 16:45 time-on-ice, recording for points (0G / 4A), 64 blocks, and 120 hits in 43 games this season.

Benoit has not played the previous two games but will likely return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 26-year-old Benoit is averaging 15:51 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 17 game this season. He was skating on a defensive pair with Conor Timmins at the morning skate on Wednesday.

Jani Hakanpaa will make his maple Leafs debut on Wednesday, resulting in Benoit being a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Benoit has been a regular on the blueline for the Maple Leafs this season, averaging 15:51 time-on-ice, tallying two points (0G / 2A), 29 blocks, and 31 hits in 17 games.

In his first season with the Maple Leafs, Benoit has five points (1G / 4A), 205 hits and 82 blocked shots in 54 games. Benoit gives the Maple Leafs a rugged depth defenseman who will serve as a third-pairing guy during his contract.

Ilya Lyubushkin is battling an illness, which will allow Benoit to re-enter the Maple Leafs' lineup. Benoit has not played the last three games and has been held off the scoresheet in seven straight.

The Maple Leafs do not appear to have anyone noticeably injured so Beniot's recall may be due to precautionary reasons but nonetheless, he finds himself back up with the Maple Leafs after the All-Star break. The 25-year-old signed a one-year minimum contract in the offseason but has been useful for Toronto, with two points (1G/1A), 34 SOG, 33 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus through 35 games this season.

Benoit is expected to make his Maple Leafs' debut on Monday as Maxime Lajoie will be a healthy scratch. Last season, Benoit played 78 games with the Anaheim Ducks, registering 10 points (3G / 10A), 128 blocks, and 216 hits. The hard-hitting defenceman is expected to skate on the Maple Leafs' third pair alongside William Lagesson.

Benoit will be returned to the Marlies (AHL) where he will presumably see some playing time. The 25-year-old defenseman was called up by the Maple Leafs earlier this season but never found his way into the lineup. He had 10 points (3G / 7A) in 78 games with the Anaheim Ducks last season.

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.

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.