Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Hiller’s Boring, McKenna’s Sits & Danford Call-Up?

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a few questions to answer after Thursday’s frustrating 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres. They let a two-goal third-period lead slip away, rookie Gavin McKenna spent much of the game watching from the bench, and the defence still looks like an area that needs attention. None of those issues will be fixed overnight, but they raise interesting questions about how this team is being coached and whether help might already be in the organization.

Today, we’ll look at whether Jim Hiller’s approach could lead to a more cautious, less entertaining brand of hockey in Toronto. We’ll also look at the possibility of the Maple Leafs turning to prospect Ben Danford rather than spending valuable trade assets on another defenceman.

Is Jim Hiller’s Approach Making the Maple Leafs Too Cautious?

One criticism of Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller is that he can become too focused on protecting a lead instead of continuing to push for another goal. Similar concerns have been raised about his coaching with the Los Angeles Kings, and Thursday’s loss to Buffalo has brought that discussion back into the spotlight. Hiller admitted he should have gotten McKenna back into the game earlier, but the larger question is whether his approach encourages the Maple Leafs to sit back when they should keep playing.

There’s a difference between being responsible defensively and simply trying not to lose. Good teams know when to tighten things up, but they also understand that sitting back can invite pressure and give the opposition life.

The Maple Leafs have players who can skate, create chances and put opposing defences under pressure. If the instinct is always to protect a lead rather than keep attacking, are they using that talent to its full potential? It can also make for some pretty frustrating hockey for fans who would rather see their team keep playing than spend the final part of a game hanging on.

Of course, one game doesn’t tell us everything about a coach, and managing a lead is part of the job. Hiller shouldn’t be judged entirely on one decision involving a rookie. Still, if the Maple Leafs repeatedly retreat into a defensive shell when they get ahead, it’s fair to ask whether that approach is costing them momentum and making their hockey less enjoyable to watch. Toronto needs to balance being responsible with staying aggressive. The goal should be to close out games, not invite opponents back into them.

Should the Maple Leafs Call Up Ben Danford?

The Maple Leafs may also be looking inside the organization for defensive help. Reports suggest the team has discussed calling up highly regarded prospect Ben Danford from the American Hockey League (AHL) Toronto Marlies. Danford’s performance in the AHL playoffs suggests the young defenceman could handle an NHL opportunity, potentially starting with around 15 minutes a game.

That’s an interesting possibility, particularly if the alternative is spending trade assets on a defenceman who might not represent a significant upgrade. The Maple Leafs have already given Marshall Rifai an NHL look, and that experience apparently didn’t go as hoped. Danford could offer another internal option while the organization assesses what it has and what it still needs. The catch is that Danford is dealing with a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day, so there’s no confirmed timeline for a call-up.

There’s no reason to rush the young defenceman simply because the NHL club is having problems. A promotion would give Toronto a chance to see how one of its promising prospects handles the speed and pressure of the NHL, but the team would need to manage his minutes and responsibilities carefully. Nor would one young player suddenly solve all the team’s defensive issues.

Still, if Danford is healthy and the coaching staff believes he’s ready, giving him an opportunity could make more sense than spending valuable assets on a marginal improvement. For now, it remains a possibility, not a confirmed move.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

The Maple Leafs have plenty to sort out, and the answers probably won’t come from one coaching decision or one prospect call-up. Hiller needs to show that his team can protect leads without surrendering the initiative, while the players need to do a better job of managing games when they have an advantage. Thursday’s loss reminded everyone that a lead isn’t safe just because a team decides to defend it.

On defence, Danford is worth watching, but health and readiness have to come first. The Maple Leafs still need to figure out whether their best solution is already in the organization or whether a trade will eventually be necessary. No need to panic, but they need to get things right. The team has enough talent to be more than a group that hopes to hang on when it gets ahead.