Prospect Info: [2024] 1st rd selection - #31 OA - RD, Ben Danford - Oshawa Generals, OHL (6′2″/191lb)

[Kiwi]

He has size and he can skate

At least we're working off a decent base, I already like this pick better than those 5"11 types with so so skating

 

[PromisedLand]

A little off board but I won’t lie, really liking what I’m reading about him

we had nothing to pick in the 2nd (and still no 3rd round pick) at least now we get 2 shots at getting NHL player(s) or both earlier in the draft

 

[tmlms13]

So the fanbase thinking he's a bust motivated him. At this rate danford will be the next Lidstrom.

Lidstrom was picked in the 3rd round though

 

[Phion Keneuf]

How did we end up with 31

 

[TheTotalPackage]

Seems like a pick based on need more than BPA (based on the rankings I saw), but adding a right-shooting D with size and some offensive skill is something the team has lacked for many years. Ontario boy as well, which I have a bit of a soft spot for too.

Wishing him well in his development and he makes trading down to the end of the round to snag him look like great value in years' time.

 

[Warden of the North]

Certainly not comfortable for them to go off-the-board again -- maybe Wes is smarter than the other 31 teams? lol -- but it worked last year with Cowan.

I am also liking what I am reading so far on Danford. The lack of offence is clearly why he wasn't a consensus first-rounder but it sounds like his puck skills may be better than the numbers indicate.

Finally... never a bad idea to draft a RHD or an Ontario kid who bleeds blue and white.

He's not off the board, though? I've seen a couple rankings that had him in this range.

 

[NJG]

How did we end up with 31

How else do you go from 23 to 31? You trade down obviously.

 

[Warden of the North]

How did we end up with 31

Traded 23 for 31 and 58

 

[Phion Keneuf]

How else do you go from 23 to 31? You trade down obviously.

What was the trade lol. Usually there’s a thread on it. Just checking in now

Traded 23 for 31 and 58

Nice. I like it

 

[Morgs]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806881524392002010

If I followed the draft this year, I'd have been all over this profile. This to go along with scouts raving about his mobility and brain? Lol how can you be disappointed about this pick.

 

[TimeZone]

I’ll tell you straight up he is better than EJ Emery, people complaining about Danford’s offensive output but then in the same breath wanting Emery is hilarious. Emery is very raw, high potential upside but Danford is more polished and honestly just a warrior. Watching in the OHL playoffs I liked him. Didnt think he’d be a first rounder.

But if our Emery, Elick and Danford, Danford is the best puck handler of the three and the best defensively out of the three. That’s what we want right? Defenseman who can defend.

I like Solberg but besides the hitting, is there more that he brings? I find those 4 defenseman are pretty interchangeable and there’s a ton of others who will go in the second round who may end up being better than the 4 I named too.

I didn't want Emery, but he's an elite athlete who wouldn't have been an off the board selection either.

If you think you're the smartest guy in the room with 31 other teams, you better be right.

 

[RomanianLeafs]

What's he's actual size? I see 6.0 , 6.1 and 6.2

 

[Thornbury]

He better end up better than Solberg, Greentree and Emery.

Well, we also picked up the 58th pick, so it's not just a 1 to 1 comparison

 

[BertCorbeau]

After the Cowan and Minten picks we shouldn’t be surprised TBH

Clarke seems to like hard working two way players with leadership intangibles that show some potential to grow offensively

 

[Commander Clueless]

I’ve given up on pre scouting drafts in hope of my team picking a guy

Makes it easier to cheer for the pick.

Really intrigued by this one.. excited to have a 2nd tomorrow

Seems like the smart approach in a Wes Clark drafting approach.

Im disappointed we didn't get Solberg, but Danford looks like a very intriguing pick. Plus we get a second.

 

[notbias]

I didn't want Emery, but he's an elite athlete who wouldn't have been an off the board selection either.

If you think you're the smartest guy in the room with 31 other teams, you better be right.

Whose board was it off? Because some scouts had him this high.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

Seems like a pick based on need more than BPA (based on the rankings I saw), but adding a right-shooting D with size and some offensive skill is something the team has lacked for many years. Ontario boy as well, which I have a bit of a soft spot for too.

Wishing him well in his development and he makes trading down to the end of the round to snag him look like great value in years' time.

If they were drafting on need they would have just taken Emery. He was ranked higher, bigger, and plays the same position. They thought Danford was BPA.

 

[Warden of the North]

I've wanted this type of player in our system for a long, long, time.

More happy with the pick every passing minute

 

[TimeZone]

Well, we also picked up the 58th pick, so it's not just a 1 to 1 comparison

My expectations aren't very high with a very late second round pick.

 

[PromisedLand]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806882920285495549

 

[francis246]

Seems like a pick based on need more than BPA (based on the rankings I saw), but adding a right-shooting D with size and some offensive skill is something the team has lacked for many years. Ontario boy as well, which I have a bit of a soft spot for too.

Wishing him well in his development and he makes trading down to the end of the round to snag him look like great value in years' time.

Personally I would have went with Basha here and then Danford at 58. But maybe we go dmen back to back;


Brunicke, Kleber, Hutson, Pulkkinen could be available at 58.

 

[sxvnert]

Feels like Freddie the Goat pick all over again.

 

[SprDaVE]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806881524392002010

You're not drafting top end perfect players at that spot but definitely needs to elevate his offensive ability next season

 

[Al4tdsBundy]

What's he's actual size? I see 6.0 , 6.1 and 6.2

6.1 and a half at nhl combine

 

[Warden of the North]

My expectations aren't very high with a very late second round pick.

I don't have high expectations for anyone outside of the top 10.