Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ben Danford stands out against Ottawa Senators

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ben Danford made a strong impression during the team’s preseason opener, helping the Leafs secure a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators. At just 19, Danford displayed a mature, mistake-free game that caught the attention of coaching staff.

While not flashy, his solid defensive play and smart passing highlight his potential role with Toronto in the upcoming NHL season.

Ben Danford delivers solid preseason performance against Ottawa Senators

In the preseason clash, Danford stood out as a reliable presence on the ice. The young defenseman executed crisp first passes, maintained strong defensive positioning, and played a disciplined game with minimal errors. Leafs’ head coach Craig Berube praised Danford, emphasizing that while his performance was not spectacular or flashy, it was highly effective for a player of his age and experience.“Ben Danford played a good, solid hockey game,” Berube said via the team’s official YouTube channel. “It is not a flashy game by any means. But it is just about the first pass, defending well, and playing a hard game. He was pretty much mistake-free. It was impressive.”The performance suggests that Danford could be an asset to the Leafs’ defensive lineup, giving the team additional depth and reliability as they prepare for the regular season.

His ability to maintain composure and execute key plays in an NHL-level game is a promising sign for Toronto’s coaching staff.

Evaluating Danford’s NHL readiness and potential role with Toronto

Despite his strong preseason showing, Danford faces a decision regarding his immediate professional future. By league rules, if he does not secure a spot on the Leafs’ main roster, he is ineligible to play in the AHL this season and would return to the OHL. Danford has expressed confidence in his readiness but acknowledges that patience may be required.“If it ever did happen this year and if I put myself in a good spot this training camp and showed that I could play good minutes at the AHL level, that’d be something that would help me out,” Danford told The Athletic.For now, Leafs fans will continue to see Danford in preseason games. His development and consistent play during these early outings will be key in determining whether he earns a permanent spot on the NHL roster.Also Read: NHL insider confirms Sidney Crosby trade to the Montreal Canadiens a real possibility