Photo credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff
The Toronto Maple Leafs selection of Ben Danford has continued to divide as it has since he was chosen 31st overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Danford was ranked in some outlets as a player in this range, EliteProspects ranking him 30th and NHL Central Scouting having him ranked 35th among North American skaters, signifying a projected early-mid second round pick.
A criticism in Danford’s game was a lack of an offensive output, having just a goal and 33 points in 64 games for the Oshawa Generals in the OHL, not stats that are typical of a modern first rounder, even for a later first.
However, Danford is known as a reliable defender in his own end who was trusted enough to make Canada’s World Juniors roster this year.
With some players having already graduated to the NHL, including players drafted behind Danford, some Leafs fans are questioning if Danford was the right pick for Toronto.
NHL promotions for 2024 draftees questioning Danford pick from fans
The most talked about prospect drafted after Danford, the one causing the buzz about being a potential steal, is San Jose Sharks forward Igor Chernyshov, drafted with the first pick in the second round, 33rd overall, just two picks after Danford.
Chernyshov has eight goals in his first seven games for the Sharks. Chernyshov fell after uncertainty over Russian prospects and some growing pains, in a season in which Chernyshov played half of it in the KHL.
Chernyshov played alongside fellow Sharks rookie Michel Misa as teammates last season with the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL, with Chernyshov leading in PPG with 55 points in 23 games, having been on pace for 163 points in a full OHL season, the highest PPG pace since Connor McDavid in 2015.
Some fans are pointing to Chernyshov as a player the Leafs should have taken, and pointing out he was close to Toronto’s spot.
Sources within the organization in 2024 said in the days leading up to the draft that adding to the right-hand side was of interest.
One name who was believed to be of interest was USA U18 defenseman EJ Emery, who went one spot ahead to the New York Rangers at 30, a player believed to be on the Leafs shortlist along with Ben Danford and Dominik Badinka as options.
In a prediction done during the draft, a personal guess was Chernyshov as the Leafs pick, along with Danford as a potential option.
Other players who have built hype is current Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Harrison Brunicke, selected 44th, and a defender selected one spot earlier in Cole Hutson, 43rd to Washington.
Was drafting Ben Danford the right decision for Toronto?
Ben Danford still has a lot to offer at the NHL level, and it’s clear NHL traits in his game that make Danford someone that should still be an impactful pro.
Although Danford’s game isn’t centered around his offense, he hasn’t taken any major steps in his ability to play a more offensive role, potentially limiting him having a two-way game at the pro level.
Still, Danford is one of the top pure defensive defensemen outside of the NHL, and is a player who has a clear projectable pathway to the pros, although he won’t be flashy, and the eye test shows Danford’s defensive maturity.
As well, a worthwhile note is that only 11 first rounders from the 2024 have played in the NHL, and doesn’t indicate players currently in the league will end up better than those not having graduated as of yet.
Danford might not wow anyone at the NHL level, but potentially he’s a defender who plays 1,000 games as someone who does the little things on the ice away from the scoresheet and plays a physical energy game.
Two things can be true. Perhaps Toronto would love to have an Igor Chernyshov in their lineup right now, especially with the wing being an area that could use help, but the Leafs should also think they can get a good career out of Ben Danford because he’s still one heck of a player.
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Maple Leafs may be second-guessing the decision to draft Ben Danford
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