Montreal Canadiens

Why Would Berube Healthy Scratch Benoit In Quebec?

Simon Benoit has been solid for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Then why would head coach Craig Berube scratch him in his home province of Quebec?

by
Old Prof
January 18, 2025

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube recently addressed his decision to scratch Quebec native Simon Benoit in a matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. Despite the difficult choice, Berube emphasized his confidence in Benoit’s value to the team moving forward.

Berube Must Make Strategic Decisions on the Blue Line

Berube explained that the decision was rooted in strategic considerations, particularly concerning puck movement and defensive structure. He noted, “We like the left, the right here, and the puck movement right now. I think it’s important.” This suggests that lineup adjustments were made to optimize the team’s performance in specific game situations.

Despite the scratch, Berube praised Benoit’s physical contributions to the Maple Leafs during the season. “He’s done a good job for us this year. We love Benny—he’s a physical guy that does a great job in our own zone killing penalties,” Berube stated. His comments reflect a strong belief in Benoit’s physical presence and defensive reliability.

Berube acknowledged the challenge of making lineup decisions, saying, “Sometimes these are hard decisions and lessons. We like him a lot but can’t have everybody in there.” This candid admission underscores the roster’s competitive nature and the need to make tough calls to benefit the team.

What Is Benoit’s Path Forward?

Looking ahead, Berube shared that he believed Benoit would return to the Maple Leafs lineup and remain a key contributor. As Berube admitted, “He’ll get back in there and do a good job for us. I have no problem with it.” This decision signals that it is part of a larger strategy rather than reflecting Benoit’s performance.

Berube’s comments suggest that scratching Benoit was a calculated move aimed at fine-tuning the Maple Leafs’ strategy rather than diminishing Benoit’s role. Given Berube’s confidence in his abilities, it seems likely that Benoit will return to the lineup with renewed purpose, potentially bolstering the Maple Leafs’ defensive depth as they push toward the playoffs.