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Leafs May Be Preparing to Cut Top Prospect After Consecutive Pre-Season Scratches
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs may be preparing to send a top prospect back down to his junior team after back-to-back scratches for training camp standout Ben Danford.
It's been a wonderful training camp thus far for Maple Leafs' top defensive prospect Ben Danford, who has made a believer out of everyone in the locker room in his first taste of NHL training camp.
Danford not only left a lasting impression on his teammates in the locker room, but also performed amicably during the pre-season, playing solid defensive hockey, and even creating a few offensive chances along the way.
Even Leafs head coach Craig Berube has raved about Danford's game, giving credit where credit is due, regardless of age and level of experience. Danford has not looked out of place against NHLers, and that bodes well for his future with the organization.
Unfortunately, his time with the Maple Leafs this season could be nearing its end. The Leafs are entering their 4th pre-season game tonight, and Danford has not dressed in back-to-back contests.
The defensive pairings at the Leafs' morning skate on Saturday appear to have Danford on the outside looking in, not because of his skill, but because the team is inching closer to finalizing their NHL roster, and Danford just isn't high enough on the depth chart to earn a roster spot yet.
Matt Benning took on the 6th D spot next to Oliver Ekman-Larsson in the absence of his usual partner, Simon Benoit, as the Quebec native continues to recover from an upper-body injury.
In addition, when the 2nd group took to the ice, Danford was positioned on the 4th pair, which is a pretty strong indicator that the coaching staff has made its decision.
Reading between the lines here, it's likely that Danford is heading back to the Oshawa Generals imminently to be able to jump right into the action with his junior club.
Danford will likely arrive in Oshawa with some very specific instructions from the Leafs on what he should work on this season. Still, with what we've seen from him in camp this fall, it's a possibility that he'll be on the NHL roster as early as next season if he can continue to grow and develop.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 27 | 2118 ANSWERS Leafs May Be Preparing to Cut Top Prospect After Consecutive Pre-Season Scratches Do you think the Leafs will cut Ben Danford in the next 48 hours and send him back to his junior team? | ||
| Yes | 1819 | 85.9 % |
| No | 299 | 14.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
