Ben Danford sends a clear message to Maple Leafs management about his NHL future
Photo credit: PHOTO CREDIT: (STEVEN ELLIS/THE NATION NETWORK)
Ben Danford is confident the steps forward he made with Brantford this season will lead him to an NHL job and working alongside rookie phenom Easton Cowan.
Drafted 31st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2024 NHL Draft, Ben Danford has really turned out to be a solid shutdown defender who was key in helping the Brantford Bulldogs hit the top of the CHL though they were taken down in stunning fashion this postseason.
Danford, 20, had 16 points in 37 games with Brantford, on top of four points in eight games with Oshawa before being traded early in the season.
But he's expected to be one of the focal points to this rebuilding offense and depending on how the Maple Leafs want to approach things - part of a group of five or six young and talented rookies.
Ben Danford is gunning for an NHL roster spot in 2026-27
Taking a big step forward both in his competitiveness and defensive ability, Danford feels confident that his strong season in the OHL has opened the door for an NHL job next year.
He spoke to TSN's Mark Masters and explained that he feels great and that one of the six blueline spots on the roster next year belongs to him:
When I look at defence it's shutting down the top line, but I take pride in breaking out pucks and the first pass. I felt I was consistent at absorbing contact, scan, make plans, have a clean exit; trying to limit the other team's scorers.My goal is to make the NHL this year.
But he was also looking forward to potentially buddying up on the ice with Easton Cowan and already talked to the rookie about working together next season:
We [Easton Cowan and Danford] always joke around about how it'd be pretty cool if me & him play in the NHL together at a young age.
It would be pretty awesome to see both men suit up for the Maple Leafs next season and there is a good chance that with a strong preseason and the moves needing to be made this offseason - Danford finds his way onto the team.
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With Danford confident in himself and already finding chemistry with Cowan, and his familiarity with Gavin McKenna as well thanks to the World Juniors; there's a dangerous trio right there.
But Danford can actually step up right now while giving Toronto exactly what they need and open up roster and cap space. The team could take a look at a name like Simon Benoit and find him expendable.
Danford is younger, a way better defender, has more offensive upside, and is still the physical presence that Benoit is, though won't give you as many hits. Toronto's defensive corps is old, slow, and needing puck movement.
Danford's comments regarding how he stresses puck movement, making a good first pass, and breaking out of the zone are all music to the Maple Leafs' ears as that's one of the focal points of the entire restructuring of the team - they're already ahead of the curve.
Plus if the team is going to be heading in a younger direction, what better way to show your fanbase that you're serious about the future than by plugging Danford in. Will he be perfect? No, there's always growing pains.
But with the right teammates and a lot of growth there's only one place for Danford to go before the NHL, and if he's good enough then he'll bypass that with ease and find himself on the blue and white come October.
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