The Leafs took a chance on Benoit last summer, and that decision has delivered meaningful value this season.

Simon Benoit arguably has been the most pleasant surprise of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ season.

And now, he has been rewarded with a three-year extension, announced on Friday.

Benoit’s cap hit for his age 26, 27 and 28 seasons will be $1.35 million – nearly double the $775,000 he’s pulling in this season.

It’s quite a reward for someone who wasn’t in the Leafs’ opening-night lineup after a shaky training camp and who even briefly spent time with the Toronto Marlies last fall.

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