Bottom pair defenceman on horrible teams aren't likely to be difference makers on good teams.

I'm willing to give this guy a chance. Also, a guy with 200+ hits and 100+ blocked shots who is 24YO can be on my team any day of the week

What do you think this means? Depth signing to play on marlies or Gio replacement ?

Anyone that's expecting a difference maker with this signing is delusional. But doesn't mean he can't be an effective NHLer or 7th d-man at this price.

I'd like to think it's a signing that signals the next move coming down the pipe. Need to do something to be cap compliant, and hopefully improve the D.

I could see him sharing a spot with Gio honestly. He's that prototypical big physical defensemen that every team will be calling on / wanting when he becomes a full-time NHLer. He has a lot of potential

Probably an ahl signing. If this guy is in the leafs line up they're in trouble.
Dude has terrible results at an nhl level and hasnt ever once shown that he belongs. He's a career bench filler at best

How does signing an ahler signal another move?

They have no cap space

But again, how does signing a guy who isnt an nhler signal such a trade? 25k savings over a much much much much much better gio doesn't get you nachos at scotia bank place

I'm also pretty excited TBH. I think he's really underrated. Big body, good hitter.

Was highly regarded by ducks fans a year ago, many wanted a 1st+ to trade him. Had a horrible year, I can see him bouncing back and being a cheaper Schenn type player.

Did anyone here saying Giordano is better actually watch the playoffs? Giordano was horrible. He can not skate anymore. Sorry but I truly appreciate everything Giordano puts in but he is too old. Benoit was on a very bad ANA team averaged 19 mins and had over 200 blocks and 100 hits , exactly waht we need on bottom pair. 100% Giordano retires or just plays if there are injuries.

Here's the thing about hits and blocking shots. It's hard to do when you have the puck and easy to rack up those numbers when you never have the puck. Anaheim allowed way more shots per game than TO did. So those stats aren't great to base anything off of.

I think Benoit plays more then Giordano if they even keep Giordano . Giordano if they can afford it can stay as great role model and teacher and to play if there are injuries.

I'm also super excited. Ducks fans wanted a 1st+ for him last off-season when I made some trade proposals. He really was doing well until last year.

Big body, loves to hit, I'd want to start him in the AHL and rehab his game but I can see him being the equivalent of Schenn as an in season pickup once we call him up.

He was also minus 29 and played on a team that allowed way more shots against than TO did. Being a non difference maker on a terrible team doesn't make you special on a good team. Benoit is highly unlikely to be anything more than a 7/8 defenceman.

The statues being built for this guy on this thread is truly outstanding

They will keep Gio. Unless he wants to go, he will stay.

Gio analytically put up top pairing numbers most of last season and in January/February we were all loving him.

He flamed out by the playoffs. If they can load manage him, get him 30-40 games and he's still up to speed come the playoffs maybe they get him at his peak in the playoffs

to rehab someones game, they have to have had game to start with. This guy has always stunk

Every fan base always wants an arm and a leg for anyone who has 100 hits. He's not an NHL most likely.

Giordanos skating has gotten very bad, gets exposed in key moments in playoffs . Two is he is just not physical enough to move players from the front of the net. Those were the 2 reasons he was not good in the playoffs and no amount of resting him will help that. Regular season he will be fine.

played 19:21 a night in ANA, that's not really bottom pair. Physical big young D that could do better with the more fitting minutes that the Leafs would give him, doesn't have to be a major difference maker but could definitely find his way to contribute in a limited role. Solid depth at league min, can't knock it

It's fine, but he's a 7/8 defenceman. Let's all just settle down a bit

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he was, by far, the worst defensive player on the worst defensive team in the league. How is he a solid depth guy? He's never been a replacement level depth guy let alone a solid one, the ducks playing him way too much doesnt give him any sort of upside.

agreed. Ceiling is he ends up being a solid bottom pair D, floor is he's a 7/8 that we can throw in for injury or if we need some heavy hitting and fighting injected into the lineup. No reason not to be excited, even if it's a very small move, at 775k

He had one particularly bad season playing in way too big a role on the worst defensive team in the league. He was solid before last seasons, Ducks fans were very excited about him. He doesn't have to be incredible here, but I could easily see him bouncing back in a more proper, limited role on a team with a better defensive structure and overall team defense with the Leafs to be a solid bottom pair guy. And worst case - who cares? We can send him down for $0 against the cap. But it is at the very least nice to have the option to throw in a 200 hit, 100 PIM guy should we want to - and I'm not even someone who usually cares about getting toughness, but if it's literally free (league min) then yea I'll be happy to have it