Ben Danford Could Give the Maple Leafs Answers

Sometimes the answer to a hockey team's problems isn't sitting on the trade market. It might be developing in its own system, waiting for a chance. That's the question facing the Toronto Maple Leafs as they look for help on defence. James Mirtle has reported that the organization has internally discussed calling up prospect Ben Danford from the Toronto Marlies. Given how things have gone on the back end, it's an idea worth considering.

The Maple Leafs haven't found much relief from their usual options, and Marshall Rifai's NHL debut apparently didn't make a strong case for keeping him in the lineup. Meanwhile, the price of finding outside help could be steep. Toronto needs better defence, but it also needs to be careful about spending valuable assets on a player who might not be the answer.

That's where Danford becomes interesting for the Maple Leafs.

Mirtle pointed to Danford's AHL playoff performance and suggested the young defenceman could handle the pressure. He even floated the idea of giving him around 15 minutes a night and seeing what happens. That's not an unreasonable experiment, as long as the Maple Leafs are realistic about what they're asking of him.

Of course, there's a difference between showing promise in the preseason or AHL playoffs and handling NHL regular-season games. Danford would be stepping into a difficult situation, and a young defenceman can look pretty ordinary when the team around him isn't playing well. If Toronto gives him a chance, it has to give him some room to learn, too.

There's another reason to consider the move. The Maple Leafs need to learn what they have in Danford. If he's part of their future, some NHL experience could help his development. If he's eventually involved in a trade, the organization also needs a clear picture of his value. Neither possibility should be the main reason to rush him, but both make an honest evaluation worthwhile.

Before anything happens, Danford must be cleared to play.

There's a catch, though. Danford is dealing with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day. Until he's healthy, this is a discussion, not an immediate solution. I'd be interested to see him get a look when he's ready. Not because a prospect can rescue a struggling defence overnight, but because the Maple Leafs need to find out whether one of their own can help.

The bigger question isn't whether Danford can fix everything. It's whether Toronto can give him a fair opportunity to show what he can do without expecting him to carry more than his share.