**Toronto Maple Leafs Sign First-Round Pick Ben Danford**
The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially signed Ben Danford, their latest draft selection. Danford was chosen with the 31st overall pick in the 2024-25 NHL Entry Draft. On Friday morning, the team announced they had secured him with a three-year entry-level contract.
While signing recent draft picks to entry-level deals is routine, some players, like the New York Rangers’ perennial Norris Trophy candidate Adam Fox, have opted not to sign with their drafting teams, eventually becoming free agents. However, Danford is now committed and will join the team for training camp in September.
The Leafs acquired Danford after trading down from the 23rd pick. General Manager Brad Treliving orchestrated a series of trades to maximize their draft capital. The 23rd pick was exchanged with Anaheim for the 31st and 58th picks. The Leafs then traded the 58th pick to Florida for a second-round pick next year and a seventh-round pick this year. Despite past instances where such strategies didn’t pan out, like with Travis Konecny and Travis Dermott, this move is generally advantageous.
Danford’s selection raises some questions. Initially, he appears to be a player with a lower ceiling for a first-round pick, potentially capping out as a number-four defenseman. Yet, with Wes Clark making the pick—known for his solid drafting track record—the choice deserves some faith. Previous picks like Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten, though initially criticized, have proven successful.
There’s some hype surrounding Danford, with claims of him being an underrated and NHL-ready prospect who could make the team this October. As a lifelong Leafs fan, I’ll remain skeptical until I see his performance on the ice. Danford could turn out to be a solid pick, and while his potential might exceed current expectations, only time will tell how he will develop.
