2025 TLN Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings: #2 Ben Danford

The TLN Maple Leafs prospect rankings were compiled by a panel of seven TLN writers, each ranking our top 20 prospects to form a consensus group ranking.

Rather than hard and fast limits on age or NHL games played to determine “prospect” eligibility, our group decided on a more nuanced approach to include any reasonably young player who is either under contract with the Leafs or on the club’s reserve list, who has not yet established himself as a full-time NHLer.

If you watch Ben Danford play, you can conjure up memories of yesteryear, when defencemen threw punishing hits in the open ice with frequency. Danford anticipates space really well and isn’t afraid to throw his body around, while displaying excellent positional sense. The 19-year-old captained the Oshawa Generals to a second consecutive OHL final, and will be expected to take another leap during his final major junior campaign.

Danford recorded five goals and 25 points in 61 games, then added two goals and five points in 21 playoff contests. He’s never going to be a reliable source of offence from the blue line, and his game is predicated on doing all the small things well at a really high level. Danford is an efficient puck-mover, he skates like a pro, and he knows there’s plenty to improve.

#LeafsForever prospect Ben Danford with a huge hit on Porter Martone and a decisive victory in the ensuing fight with Stevie Leskovar

🎥: @GeneralsUpdates pic.twitter.com/le8VDHWtmg

— Nick Richard (@_NickRichard) February 20, 2025

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“I worked on defensive play and that’s obviously, you know, the strongest attribute of my game,” Danford said to TSN’s Mark Masters after Oshawa’s season concluded. “I thought I got better that way. I got more physical. I wanted to bring that component to my game. And offensively, you know, maybe my points weren’t what I was looking for, but I was really happy throughout the whole season with my 200-foot game.”

Danford told reporters at this summer’s development camp that he’s looking to emulate Chris Tanev’s game. It’s not a bad comparison for a strong puck-mover with strong skating ability, but his offensive game continues to be work in progress. And he should receive plenty of opportunities to test his game against elite-level peers. Danford is projected to make Canada’s World Juniors roster, where he could operate as a shutdown defender in a third-pair role.

Here’s what Daily Faceoff prospect expert Steven Ellis wrote about Danford leading into the fall:

Danford has plenty of big-game experience already, having played in two straight OHL championship series. Neither proved fruitful, but he still looked good regardless. Danford is a guy his teammates like to rely on because he’s rarely caught making a mistake distributing the puck. I saw Danford play both sides on the blueline last year, but I think he’s got something going on the left side – it fits his shot better. Danford said he hopes to be like Chris Tanev, which I think is a solid comparison. He probably tops out as a No. 4 defenseman in Toronto, but I think he’ll be quite reliable.

Danford’s developmental goals are clearly outlined going into the 2025-26 season. He’s going to be one of the best players in the OHL, so it’s now a matter of getting into shooting lanes, using his cerebral approach to the game to maximize his efficiency and continue to build confidence when joining the rush.

“The thing I’ve noticed is his game is starting to calm down,” Maple Leafs assistant general manager Hayley Wickenheiser said of Danford via NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger. “He’s a great skater. He moves as well as anyone on the ice here.

“Sometimes he tries to do too much when he plays in the OHL with Oshawa, and we’ve been talking to him a lot about taking the time to play calm, getting inside lanes, to block shots.”

It may be a few years before Danford genuinely competes for a roster spot with the Maple Leafs, but he has all the tools to become a reliable contributor at the NHL level. And really, this could be a lot of fun for Danford, too, tasked with growing his offensive profile this season, while looking to lead Oshawa to an elusive OHL title. We’re looking forward to seeing the leaps in Danford’s game, where he could emerge as a lock for Canada’s World Juniors team.