The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change. The Hockey News breaks down why Auston Matthews will become the 26th captain in franchise history. The Toronto Maple Leafs rookies were back on the ice Thursday getting ready for a pair of games against the Montreal Canadiens prospects this weekend and there appears to already be a casualty. The Hockey News' Nick Barden reports that defensive prospect Ben Danford had to leave the ice after taking an awkward hit from rookie showdown invitee Marshall Finnie. "He's being evaluated right now. Hopefully he'll be okay," Toronto Marlies head coach John Gruden said. "But right now he's being evaluated by the staff. Danford was selected by the Maple Leafs in the first round (31st overall) in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. A lifelong fan, Danford was no doubt excited to put on the jersey for a pair of games this weekend. "I think there was a feeling out. You want to make sure that they're playing hard and so forth. I still didn't see it because it was in the far corner from the bench I was standing at," Gruden said of the hit. "So I didn't see it. But I know that the player that did unfortunately hit him, felt bad. He said he just felt bad." Beyond the initial evaluation, there's no word yet from the Leafs if Danford's status for this weekend's games as changed. That'll likely come as the week progresses. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Maple Leafs' Farm Club Brining Back Marlies Top-Scorer Joseph Blandisi [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-farm-club-brining-back-marlies-top-scorer-joseph-blandisi] ‘I Think For Me, It’s Just A Learning Opportunity’: Maple Leafs Prospect Noah Chadwick on Attending Camp, Becoming the Captain of Lethbridge Hurricanes, and Playing Alongside Ben Danford [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-think-for-me-its-just-a-learning-opportunity-maple-leafs-prospect-noah-chadwick-on-attending-camp-becoming-the-captain-of-lethbridge-hurricanes-and-playing-alongside-ben-danford] 'I'll Trust What They Think They Should Do With Me': Maple Leafs' Easton Cowan Preparing For Challenge of Prospect Showdown and NHL Training Camp [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/ill-trust-what-they-think-they-should-do-with-me-maple-leafs-easton-cowan-preparing-for-challenge-of-prospect-showdown-and-nhl-training-camp] News from THN.com Eight More NHL Goalies with New Creative Masks Ahead of the 2024-25 Season [https://thehockeynews.com/news/eight-more-nhl-goalies-with-new-creative-masks-ahead-of-the-2024-25-season] 'Universally Adored': Blue Jackets Players, GM Express Grief At Loss of Johnny Gaudreau, Brother [https://thehockeynews.com/news/universally-adored-blue-jackets-players-gm-express-grief-at-loss-of-johnny-gaudreau-brother] Opinion: Bruins Fans Should Feel Fortunate GM Sweeney Is On Case In Swayman Contract Saga [https://thehockeynews.com/news/opinion-the-bruins-should-feel-fortunate-gm-sweeney-is-handling-swaymans-contract-saga]
