Ben Danford went from junior hockey to a 24-game Calder Cup run. Toronto no longer needs rookie showcase results to prove he can handle pressure.
The better test is whether Danford's defensive game now looks too advanced for peer competition. Toronto drafted him for his gap control, skating and ability to make stops, not point production.
Despite starting last season in Junior, Danford found himself with the Toronto Marlies, where he received significant playing time during their Calder Cup run.
Now, training camp and the Leafs' rookie showcase is upon us, and there are rumblings about what kind of opportunity Danford is going to get. In fact, one could make the argument that he doesn't belong at the rookie showcase. His experience is simply too strong.
Danford's Calder Cup run changed the standard Toronto should use to evaluate him
Danford is someone who has World Junior experience and played meaningful games in the AHL at the professional level.
Now, he is being projected as a top-four type prospect rather than a depth guy. When Danford was first drafted by the Leafs in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, there was this sense that Danford would top out as a bottom-pairing guy. Now, the narrative has changed.
It should be made clear that Danford is a shutdown defenseman. He isn't going to dazzle you with his offense. Consequently, the Leafs should avoid scouting for point production while the prospects train in Gatineau.
If the showcase stops challenging Danford, Toronto's next useful data point won't come from more prospect games. It will come from how his defending holds up against NHL and AHL forwards in training camp.
Danford's benchmark has shifted from 'does he belong?' to 'does this level still challenge him?'
If Danford controls rookie competition, Toronto's next test should come against professionals
There is no guarantee that Danford is making the NHL. The Leafs already have a ton of depth going into this season, which makes Danford's path that much more difficult.
However, a dominant rookie showcase would make a junior-level evaluation less useful. Instead, Toronto should be looking at how to increase Danford's professional workload.
Right now, Danford's value lies in the fact that he may only be a year or two away from contributing at the NHL level. Compare that to Ethan MacKenzie and Alexander Bilecki, who still need some time to cook.
Ultimately, Toronto will be entering Gatineau looking for progress, and they might just leave needing to decide how aggressively Danford should be accelerated.
Do you believe Ben Danford is going to be a stud defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs?
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