Corey Pronman details what to expect from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ new prospects and how they fit into the farm system.
2024 Draft Grade: C
I like Ben Danford, Toronto’s pick at No. 31. I wasn’t sure I would have done it at 31, and I didn’t talk to many scouts before or after the draft who would have either. I think he will play in the NHL though and plays a style of game that’s easy to like. They didn’t pick again until the fourth round, so this class will mostly be about whether Danford is a third- or second-pair defenseman in the league. Their fifth-round pick Miroslav Holinka’s toolkit is quite intriguing though to get at 151.
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Draft Class
31. Ben Danford, RHD, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
February 6, 2006 | 6′ 1″ | 190 pounds
Tier: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Analysis: Danford was a strong two-way defenseman for Oshawa this season who played a lot of minutes. Danford skates quite well. He’s able to escape pressure with the puck and skate pucks up ice like a pro. Defensively he closes on pucks quickly, and competes well enough to win a lot of close races. Offensively he’s not dynamic, but he’s quite smart with the puck. He makes a lot of difficult passes, often while skating with pace. I don’t think he stands out at either end of the ice in the NHL, but he could be a useful defenseman for an organization.
Thoughts on the pick: Danford is a likeable player. He is a very smart and competitive defenseman who skates well and has decent size. He’s not the sexiest defender, but he has a lot of substance and projects as an NHL defenseman. He’s a third-pair type for me who can play hard minutes, but if there’s a bit more offense to come in his game, I can see him getting to a second-pair projection.
120. Victor Johansson, LHD, Leksands IF J20 (J20 Nationell)
April 25, 2006 | 6′ 1″ | 143 pounds
Analysis: Victor Johansson is a good-skating defenseman who competes well and has some physicality in his game. He is average-sized and his puck play is a question for the higher levels.
151. Miroslav Holinka, C, HC Ocelari Trinec U20 (Czechia U20)
November 10, 2005 | 6′ 1″ | 183 pounds
Tier: Has a chance to play games
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Analysis: Holinka played a limited-minutes role in the top Czechia league. He was very good at their junior level and showed fine for the Czech U20 team. He’s a center with intriguing pro tools. He’s a good skater with strong puck skills who can beat defenders one-on-one with pace. I don’t think he’s a great playmaker or finisher but he’s strong enough in both areas. Holinka has been a penalty killer in junior and for the national team as well. I like a lot about his game, but I don’t know if he stands out enough in any area and with average size to have a clear NHL role.
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152. Alexander Plesovskikh, LW, Mamonty Yugry (MHL)
August 1, 2006 | 6′ 0″ | 172 pounds
157. Timofei Obvintsev, G, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)
January 6, 2005 | 6′ 4″ | 176 pounds
200. Matthew Lahey, LHD, Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL)
July 17, 2006 | 6′ 4″ | 201 pounds
Analysis: Lahey is a 6-foot-5 defenseman who moves well for a big man and has NHL athleticism. His puck play is a question. He showed OK puck-moving in the BCHL and produced with no power-play time but whether he has enough skill to play against better players is what he will have to prove.
216. Sam McCue, LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
October 3, 2005 | 6′ 1″ | 187 pounds
Analysis: McCue competes hard and has some skill but his skating isn’t great.
225. Nathan Mayes, LHD, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
June 10, 2006 | 6′ 3″ | 181 pounds
Tier: Has a chance to play games
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Below NHL average
Analysis: Mayes is a tall defenseman who had a solid rookie WHL season for Spokane. His athleticism is highly intriguing given he’s quite mobile for his size. He’s strong, wins puck battles and plays with some bite. He shows some flashes with the puck, but Mayes isn’t a natural puck-mover. His ability to carry pucks up is NHL caliber though. He has a chance to take real steps next season and look like a pro defenseman.
Beat writer’s analysis
One major takeaway from the Leafs’ draft haul in 2024: After selecting only 24 defencemen in their drafts since 2013, and only really connecting on four of those players, Toronto appears to have identified and addressed an organizational need. Half of their eight picks this draft were defencemen and three of them stand 6-foot-2 or taller. It’s easy to assume this is the influence of Brad Treliving coming to fruition for the Leafs but the truth is they have needed these types of defenders in the organization for far too long. Whether any of these players pop and become NHL players obviously remains to be seen. But the Leafs did seem intent on finding defencemen with pro-ready size to, quite possibly, ease their transition to a professional career. — Joshua Kloke
(Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
