Toronto Hockey Daily has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL or NHLPA
Ben Danford reveals how he can help the Maple Leafs, where he needs to improve
Photo credit: NHL
The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Ben Danford 31st overall at the 2024 NHL draft. For the first time since 2018, the Leafs selected a defenseman with their first pick. The last time defenseman they took with their top pick? Rasmus Sandin.
While the Danford pick was seen as a bit of a reach, it's important to note that Easton Cowan was perceived to be a reach last year as well. Danford appears to have all the tools that Toronto is desperately looking for and if it can work out for them even half as well as the Cowan pick has so far, they're in pretty good shape.
The 6'1 194 pound defenseman shoots right and does everything you look for in a blueliner. He skates well, makes smart decisions with the puck, blocks shots and throws the body when needed. His offensive game is improving and he's a solid penalty killer.
Danford does it all, kind of like former Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin, whom he got to meet during the Leafs' summer development camp.
"I've been a Leafs fan my whole life and I've watched him and definitely looked up to him, so to get to know him and learn from him, it's really special."
-Danford in an interview with NHL.com's Dave McCarthy
-Danford in an interview with NHL.com's Dave McCarthy
If the Madoc, Ontario native develops into anything like Muzzin, then Leaf fans will love him for years. His defensive skills, two-way ability and competitiveness will be key on a team that has lacked a strong blueline for quite some time.
How does Danford believe he can help this team? Good, honest hard work.
"Blocking shots, just doing little things, the normal people watching games on television don't see those little things that help your teammates succeed. I feel like that's a huge part of the game, blocking shots, getting bumps on guys, little things like that they've really harped so far at development camp."
Danford knows that there are areas of his game that he still needs to improve upon if he hopes to make it to the NHL. Boosting his offensive output is one of those things.
"I feel like with my skating ability and hockey IQ, (my offense) is something I can definitely improve on. There's a great development staff here that definitely know what they're doing, some of the best in the world so with them behind me, I should be going in the right direction for sure."
We have no way of knowing right now just how this pick will pan out for the Leafs, but with Danford being such a hard worker and such an intelligent young player, the signs point towards the Leafs drafting a good one.
Source: Dave McCarthy, NHL.com
Danford feels at home with Maple Leafs, favorite childhood team
Danford feels at home with Maple Leafs, favorite childhood team
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 20 | 423 ANSWERS Ben Danford reveals how he can help the Maple Leafs, where he needs to improve When will Ben Danford be a full time NHL player? | ||
| 1 year | 67 | 15.8 % |
| 2 years | 196 | 46.3 % |
| 3+ years | 136 | 32.2 % |
| Never | 24 | 5.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
