Maple Leafs, Canucks, Oilers make camp cuts

Three Canadian NHL teams with Stanley Cup aspirations made notable training camp cuts on Monday.

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that first-round pick Ben Danford had been returned to the OHL’s Oshawa Generals. The Edmonton Oilers released veteran Mike Hoffman from his try-out contract, while the Vancouver Canucks released Sammy Blais from his try-out.

Danford, 18, didn’t see the ice during main camp after being injured during the Maple Leafs’ development camp. A right-shot defenceman, Danford had 33 points in 64 games last season and added 10 more points in 21 playoff games as the Generals reached the OHL Final.

Hoffman, 34, appeared in four of the five pre-season games the Oilers have played to date, scoring one goal and three assists. Last season with the Sharks, the 13-year veteran had 10 goals and 23 points in 66 games.

Blais, a seven-year veteran, had seven points in 53 games for the Blue last season, his second stint with St. Louis. He had zero points in three pre-season games for the Canucks.