Ben Danford reveals how he can help the Maple Leafs, where he needs to improve
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.
-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.
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.
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.comDanford feels at home with Maple Leafs, favorite childhood team
| POLL | ||
20 JUILLET | 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 | ||
