<p>The Toronto Maple Leafs have taken one of the better defensive defensemen in this year’s draft, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a bit of offensive skill, making strong first passes and always making the smart play. But don’t get it twisted: he’s a defensive stalwart and a coach’s dream.&nbsp;</p>



<p>One OHL coach told me he was one of the smartest players in this year’s draft, a high IQ defender who can take the puck off nearly any forward, block any shot and strong positioning in any space on the rink.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“He’s mean, he isn’t afraid to hand out some lumber on (an opponent) in front of his net,” the scout told me. <br>“Whoever takes this guy is getting someone who will be a 22-minute-a-night guy in a few years.”</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="131"></div>



<p>One thing that’s underrated about Danford’s game is what he brings offensively. Some may see his Hockey DB page and only see one goal in the 2023-24 season, but he made up for it during the Oshawa Generals’ run to the OHL Finals, scoring four goals and six assists for 10 points in 21 games.&nbsp;</p>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">WHAT A SAVE BY… *rewatches clip*… BEN DANFORD?!?!</p>
<p>SOTN? <a href="https://twitter.com/OHLHockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OHLHockey</a> 😏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedHot?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RedHot</a>🔥 | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OSHvsNB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OSHvsNB</a> <a href="https://t.co/FjmSiZckE1">pic.twitter.com/FjmSiZckE1</a></p>
<p>— Oshawa Generals (@Oshawa_Generals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Oshawa_Generals/status/1784714272586465422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>



<p><em>Daily Faceoff</em> prospect analyst Steven Ellis said the right-handed defenseman might have something going on the left side as “it fits his shot better.”</p>



<p>“(H)e’s a guy his teammates like to rely on because he’s rarely caught making a mistake distributing the puck,” Ellis said. </p>



<p>Fans of the Maple Leafs should watch his development closely, because they have a gem on their hands. Another season in the OHL and some time to develop in the minors, and before you know it, the well-rounded defender will be in Toronto starting lineup sooner than later.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="172"></div>
