Can I be honest about some biases?
First of all, Justin Danforth is a Short King. He’s listed at 5’8″, which we all know means he’s around 5’6″, which is my actual height. I’m always happy to see small players succeed at this level, which is why Cam Atkinson remains one of my all-time favorites. In addition, Danforth is just a great story. He only made it to minor juniors in Canada, went to college in the US (Sacred Heart), bounced around the AHL and ECHL for a few years before going over to Europe, before finally getting an NHL contract from the Blue Jackets in 2021.
My second reason for being biased is that in spring of 2023, I won a Justin Danforth St. Patrick’s Day jersey in a Blue Jackets Foundation raffle. I played the odds by buying tickets for some jerseys I thought would be less popular. Danforth suffered a knee injury in fall of 2022 that ended his season. I bought just one ticket (out of nine total) on him and it hit.
Despite not making his NHL debut until age 28, Danforth has established himself as a legitimate NHL regular. He’s not a star player, but he can sub in as winger on a top six line if necessary. He can also play at any forward position. That is a luxury for a team to have.
This season, he played more center than he had in his previous three seasons as a Blue Jacket. With Zach Aston-Reese and Mathieu Olivier on his wings, that third line became trusted not only to shut down opposing top lines, but to score some goals as well.
2024-25 Stats
Games: 61
Goals: 9
Assists: 12
Points: 21
Plus/Minus: -6
PIM: 18
5v5 Corsi%: 47.9
5v5 Fenwick%: 47.6
5v5 Offensive Zone Starts%: 41.1
Contract
In October of 2023, Danforth was signed to an early one-year extension in the amount of $1.1M. That was signed by Jarmo Kekalainen, so would Don Waddell want to keep him around? I think he’s a valued member of the team, but it may come down to a choice between Danforth, Sean Kuraly, and James van Riemsdyk for the spot of “veteran bottom 6 forward.”
High Point
This is easily the easiest choice I’ve had so far for this series this season. Also probably the highlight of Danforth’s career? He got the game-winner in the Stadium Series game.
Was it a high stick? I had no idea from my seat in 16C so as far as I’m concerned: obviously not.
Low Point
Danforth missed 18 games with a lower body injury in the middle of the season. That has been a common feature of his NHL career, unfortunately. As he is now 32 years old and enters his 10th professional season, how much longer can his body hold up?
Report Card
B-
You need guys that can fill depth roles, and Justin Danforth is a textbook example of that type of player. I love a guy that can play center or wing, and can be either a shutdown line center or even a top 6 wing for a few games if necessary. He doesn’t have the size you want, but he’s a great skater and you can’t question his heart. I’d be happy for him to stay here, or to go to a team where he has a chance to contribute on a Cup contender.