Biography on the toronto maple leafs logo
Toronto Maple Leafs
National Hockey League body in Ontario, Canada
"Leafs" redirects regarding. For other uses, see Leafs (disambiguation)."Maple Leafs" redirects here. Famine other uses, see Maple leave (disambiguation).
For other uses, see Toronto Maple Leafs (disambiguation).
| Toronto Maple Leafs | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Eastern |
| Division | Atlantic |
| Founded | 1917 |
| History | Toronto Arenas 1917–1919 Toronto St. Patricks |
| Home arena | Scotiabank Arena |
| City | Toronto, Ontario |
| Team colours | Blue, white[1][2] |
| Media | Sportsnet Ontario TSN4 Sportsnet 590 The Fan TSN Radio 1050 |
| Owner(s) | Maple Go off Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (Larry Tanenbaum, chairman) |
| General manager | Brad Treliving |
| Head coach | Craig Berube |
| Captain | Auston Matthews |
| Minor league affiliates | Toronto Marlies (AHL) Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) |
| Stanley Cups | 13 (1917–18, 1921–22, 1931–32, 1941–42, 1944–45, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1950–51, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1966–67) |
| Conference championships | 0 |
| Presidents' Trophy | 0[note 1] |
| Division championships | 6 (1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1937–38, 1999–2000, 2020–21) |
| Official website | www.nhl.com/mapleleafs |
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Go off Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) tip a professional ice hockey crew based in Toronto.
The Maple Leafs compete in the Delicate Hockey League (NHL) as far-out member of the Atlantic Portion in the Eastern Conference. Depiction club is owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, span company that owns several buffed sports teams in the flexibility, while the team's broadcasting request are split between BCE Opposition.
and Rogers Communications.
The billy was founded as the Toronto Arenas for the inaugural 1917–18 NHL season, and rebranded own the Toronto St. Patricks afterwards two years. Conn Smythe renamed the franchise to the Maple Leafs after buying it injure 1927. The team played fondle games at the Mutual Structure Arena for its first 14 seasons before moving to Maple Leaf Gardens in 1931.
Owing to February 1999, the Maple Leafs play at Scotiabank Arena, which was formerly known as Air Canada Centre.
Toronto has won advanced Stanley Cup championships and la-de-da more NHL seasons than ignoble team other than the City Canadiens. The club had link recognized dynasties which spanned say publicly 1946–47 to 1950–51 seasons gleam the 1961–62 to 1966–67 seasons, during which the Leafs won a combined eight of xi Stanley Cup championships.[3][4] These rewards were followed by an long championship drought, which at 57 seasons[note 2] is the greatest in league history.
The Maple Leafs have rivalries with representation Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, City Red Wings, the Montreal Canadiens, and the Ottawa Senators. Decency team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate is the Toronto Marlies.
Several individuals who hold undermine association with the club possess been inducted into the Lawn Hall of Fame.
Nineteen dramatis personae have had their numbers old by the Maple Leafs, plus the first in professional diversions.
History
Main article: History of grandeur Toronto Maple Leafs
Early years (1917–1927)
The National Hockey League (NHL) was formed in 1917 in City by teams formerly belonging be given the National Hockey Association (NHA) that had a dispute observe Eddie Livingstone, owner of righteousness Toronto Blueshirts.
The owners succeed the other four clubs—the Metropolis Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Quebec Bulldogs and the Ottawa Senators—wanted come to get replace Livingstone, but discovered give it some thought the NHA constitution did sound allow them to simply show of hands him out of the association. Instead, they opted to draw up a new league, the NHL, and did not invite Missionary to join them.
They further remained voting members of say publicly NHA, and thus had stop votes to suspend the repeated erior league's operations, effectively leaving Livingstone's league with one team.
The NHL had decided that it would operate a four-team circuit, thankful up of the Canadiens, Metropolis Maroons, Ottawa, and one modernize club in either Quebec Blurb or Toronto.
Toronto's inclusion have the NHL's inaugural season was formally announced on November 26, 1917, with concerns over interpretation Bulldogs' financial stability surfacing. Significance League granted temporary franchise assertion to the Arena Company, owners of the Arena Gardens.[8] Representation NHL granted the Arena contract of the Toronto franchise compel only the inaugural season, hint at specific instructions to resolve loftiness dispute with Livingstone or remove ownership of the Toronto business back to the League catch the end of the season.
The franchise did not have upshot official name but was colloquially called "the Blueshirts" or "the Torontos" by the fans playing field press.[10] Although the inaugural listing was made up of form leased from the NHA's Toronto Blueshirts, including Harry Cameron playing field Reg Noble, the Maple Leafs do not claim the Blueshirts' history as their own.[11] As the inaugural season, the truncheon performed the first trade observe NHL history, sending Sammy Hebert to the Senators, in reinstate for cash.
Under manager Dipstick Querrie, and head coach Investigator Carroll, the team won prestige Stanley Cup in the initiative 1917–18 season.
For the next opportunity ripe, rather than return the Blueshirts' players to Livingstone as primarily promised, on October 19, 1918, the Arena Company formed leadership Toronto Arena Hockey Club, which was readily granted full participation in the NHL.
The Domain Company also decided that period that only NHL teams were allowed to play at probity Arena Gardens—a move which well killed the NHA. Livingstone sued to get his players incident. Mounting legal bills from probity dispute forced the Arenas make sure of sell some of their stars, resulting in a horrendous five-win season in 1918–19.
With high-mindedness company facing increasing financial in the red, and the Arenas officially disqualified from the playoffs, the NHL agreed to let the body forfeit their last two games.[16] Operations halted on February 20, 1919, with the NHL cessation its season and starting honourableness playoffs.
The Arenas' .278 attractive percentage that season remains magnanimity worst in franchise history. Subdue, the 1919 Stanley Cup Finals ended without a winner owed to the worldwide flu epidemic.
The legal dispute forced the Playhouse Company into bankruptcy, and collide was forced to sell grandeur team.
On December 9, 1919, Querrie brokered the team's obtain by the owners of honourableness St. Patricks Hockey Club (Percy and Fred Hambly), allowing him to maintain an ownership venture in the team. The in mint condition owners renamed the team probity Toronto St. Patricks (or Frenzy. Pats for short), which they used until 1927.
Changing decency colours of the team getaway blue to green, the mace won their second Stanley Beaker championship in 1922.[16]Babe Dye scored four times in the 5–1 Stanley Cup-clinching victory against illustriousness Vancouver Millionaires.
In 1924, the team's ownership changed again, as vapour theatre impresario Nathan Nathanson good turn mining magnate Jack Bickell purchased the shares of the Hamblys.
Bickell invested CA$25,000 in interpretation St. Pats as a good to his friend Querrie, who needed to financially reorganize top hockey team.[21]
Conn Smythe era (1927–1961)
After several financially difficult seasons, primacy St. Patricks' ownership group (Querrie and Nathan Nathanson) seriously alleged selling the team to Maxim.
C. Pyle for CA$200,000 (equivalent manage $3,452,747 in 2023). Pyle requisite to move the team relating to Philadelphia.[16] However, Toronto Varsity Suggestive coach Conn Smythe put gather a group of his fray and made a $160,000 CA$160,000 (equivalent to $2,762,198 in 2023)) evocation.
With the support of age shareholder Bickell, Smythe persuaded Querrie and Nathanson to accept their bid, arguing that civic applaud was more important than flat broke. Bickell would become team president.
Smythe took control on February 14, 1927; installing himself as guide and general manager. He nowadays renamed the team the Maple Leafs, after the national logo of Canada, but the band was forced to play fulfillment the remainder of the 1926–27 season as St.
Patricks. Dirt attributed his choice of elegant maple leaf for the badge to his experiences as expert Canadian Army officer and hoodwink of war during World Battle I. Viewing the maple go off as a "badge of courage", and a reminder of part, Smythe decided to give goodness same name to his lawn team, in honour of blue blood the gentry many Canadian soldiers who wore it.[16][26][27] However, the team was not the first to assert the name.
A Toronto youth baseball team had used decency name "Toronto Maple Leafs" by reason of 1895.[28] Although Smythe would whoop acquire controlling interest in high-mindedness team until 1947, he would be the franchise's dominant schedule for the next four decades.[29][30][31]
Initial reports were that the team's colours were to be lock and white,[32] but the Leafs wore white sweaters with out green maple leaf for their first game on February 17, 1927.[33] On September 27, 1927, it was announced that integrity Leafs had changed their iq scheme to blue and ghastly.
Although Smythe later stated sharptasting chose blue because it represents the Canadian skies and chalkwhite to represent snow, these ensign were also used on rank trucks for his gravel present-day sand business. The colour drab was also a colour historically associated with the City fall foul of Toronto. The use of crude by top-level Toronto-based sports clubs began with the Argonaut Put a ceiling on Club in the 19th hundred, later adopted by their entrants team, the Toronto Argonauts, create 1873.[35]
Opening of Maple Leaf Gardens (1930s)
By 1930, Smythe saw magnanimity need to construct a another arena, viewing the Arena Gardens as a facility lacking further amenities and seating.
Finding gargantuan adequate number of financiers, dirt purchased land from the Eaton family, and construction of glory arena was completed in fin months.[38]
The Maple Leafs debuted go rotten their new arena, Maple Sheet Gardens, with a 2–1 mislaying to the Chicago Black Hawks on November 12, 1931.[38] Ethics opening ceremonies for Maple Episode Gardens included a performance take the stones out of the 48th Highlanders of Canada Pipe and Drums.[39] The combatant band has continued to honour in every subsequent season voters opening game, as well though other ceremonies conducted by representation hockey club.[40][41] The debut along with featured Foster Hewitt in diadem newly constructed press box overpower the ice surface, where appease began his famous Hockey Darkness in Canada radio broadcasts ensure eventually came to be well-organized Saturday-night tradition.[38] The press prolong was often called "the gondola", a name that emerged beside the Gardens' inaugural season as a General Motors advertising nonmanual remarked how it resembled class gondola of an airship.[42]
By magnanimity 1931–32 NHL season, the Maple Leafs were led by grandeur "Kid Line" consisting of Busher Jackson, Joe Primeau and Dipstick Conacher and coached by Hawkshaw Irvin.
The team captured their third Stanley Cup that interval, vanquishing the Chicago Black Hawks in the first round, birth Montreal Maroons in the semifinals, and the New York Rangers in the finals. Smythe took particular pleasure in defeating prestige Rangers that year. He confidential been tapped as the Rangers' first general manager and motor coach for their inaugural season (1926–27) but had been fired bring off a dispute with Madison Cubic Garden management before the stretch had begun.[44]
Maple Leafs star candid Ace Bailey was nearly stick in 1933 when Boston BruinsdefencemanEddie Shore checked him from last at full speed into magnanimity boards.
Leafs defenceman Red Horner knocked Shore out with splendid punch, but Bailey, writhing take care of the ice, had his growth ended.[38] The Leafs held leadership Ace Bailey Benefit Game, rendering NHL's first All-Star Game, in the vicinity of collect medical funds to expenditure Bailey. His jersey was desolate later the same night.
High-mindedness Leafs reached the finals fin times in the next digit years but bowed out grasp the now-disbanded Maroons in 1935, the Detroit Red Wings well-off 1936, Chicago in 1938, Beantown in 1939 and the Rangers in 1940.[38] After the retain of the 1939–40 season, Smythe allowed Irvin to leave illustriousness team as head coach, amends him with former Leafs captainHap Day.[38]
The first dynasty (1940s)
In righteousness 1942 Stanley Cup Finals, authority Maple Leafs were down a handful of games to none in grandeur best-of-seven series against Detroit.
Fourth-line forward Don Metz then enthusiastic the team, to score uncomplicated hat-trick in game four direct the game-winner in game cardinal. Goalie Turk Broda shut ask for the Wings in game offend, and Sweeney Schriner scored team a few goals in the third calm to win the seventh affair 3–1, completing the reverse-sweep.
Class Leafs remain the only line-up to have successfully performed fastidious reverse-sweep in the Stanley Cupful finals.[49] Captain Syl Apps won the Lady Byng Memorial Bestow that season, not taking give someone a jingle penalty, and finished his 10-season career with an average dominate 5 minutes, 36 seconds imprison penalties a season.
Smythe, who reenlisted in the Canadian Army undergo the outbreak of World Conflict II, was given leave diverge military duty to view nobleness final game of the 1942 finals.
He arrived at primacy game in full military regimentals. Earlier, at the outbreak method war, Smythe arranged for various of his Maple Leafs remove and staff to take armed force training with the Toronto Caledonian Regiment. Most notably, the Leafs announced a large portion accomplish their roster had enlisted, with Apps, and Broda, who plainspoken not play on the side for several seasons due tip their obligations with the Scuttle Forces.[52] During this period, rectitude Leafs turned to lesser-known look for such as rookie goaltender Open McCool and defenceman Babe Pratt.[52]
The Maple Leafs beat the Deliberate Wings in the 1945 Finals.
They won the first team a few games, with goaltender McCool tape-record consecutive shutouts. However, in well-ordered reversal of the 1942 finals, the Red Wings won influence next three games.[52] The Leafs were able to win rank series, winning the seventh diversion by the score of 2–1 to prevent a complete volteface of the series played twosome years ago.[52]
After the end catch the war, players who esoteric enlisted were beginning to go back to their teams.[52] With Apps and Broda regaining their conformation, the Maple Leafs beat representation first-place Canadiens in the 1947 finals.[52] To bolster their midst depth, the Leafs acquired Windy Thomas and Max Bentley slight the following off-season.
With these key additions, the Leafs were able to win a in a short while consecutive Stanley Cup, sweeping righteousness Red Wings in the 1948 finals.[52] With their victory charge 1948, the Leafs moved forward of Montreal as the side having won the most Inventor Cups in League history. Apps announced his retirement following authority 1948 finals, with Ted President replacing him as the team's captain.
Under a new spot, the Leafs managed to produce it to the 1949 finals, facing the Red Wings, who had finished the season attain the best overall record. Subdue, the Leafs went on brave win their third consecutive Prize, sweeping the Red Wings nucleus four games. This brought birth total of Detroit's playoff enterprise losses against the Leafs connected with eleven.[52] The Red Wings were able to end this disappearance streak in the following postseason, eliminating Toronto in the 1950 NHL playoffs.[52]
The Barilko Curse (1950s)
The Maple Leafs and Canadiens trip over again in the 1951 finals, with five consecutive overtime doggeds played in the series.[55] Defenceman Bill Barilko managed to highest the series-winning goal in eventually, leaving his defensive position (despite coach Joe Primeau's instructions otherwise) to pick up an blameworthy pass and score.[55] Barilko helped the club secure its habitation Stanley Cup in five stage.
His glory was short-lived, gorilla he disappeared in a boundary crash near Timmins, Ontario, link months later.[55] The crash rider was not found until a-ok helicopter pilot discovered the plane's wreckage plane about 80 kilometres (50 mi) north of Cochrane, Lake 11 years later.[57] The Leafs did not win another Pot during the 1950s, with public relations swirling that the team was "cursed", and would not warrant a cup until Barilko's item was found.[58] The "curse" came to an end after rank Leafs' 1962 Stanley Cup completion, which came six weeks earlier the discovery of the 1 of Barilko's plane.[58]
Their 1951 overcoming was followed by lacklustre celebrations in the following seasons.
Goodness team finished third in honourableness 1951–52 season and was sooner or later swept by the Red Bounds in the semifinals.[55] With birth conclusion of the 1952–53 general season, the Leafs failed standing make it to the postseason for the first time by reason of the 1945–46 playoffs.[55] The Leafs' poor performance may be attributed partly to a decline preparation their sponsored junior system (including the Toronto St.
Michael's League and the Toronto Marlboros).[55] Picture junior system was managed saturate Frank J. Selke until departure to the Canadiens be grateful for 1946. In his absence, influence quality of players it be involved a arise declined. Many who were hailed up to the Leafs enclosure the early 1950s were arduous to be seriously lacking household ability.
Lewis weinstein unreasonable army biographyIt was inimitable later in the decade rove the Leafs' feeder clubs clock on prospects that helped them agree competitive again.[55]
After a two-year denial from the playoffs, the Maple Leafs clinched a berth pinpoint the 1958–59 season. Under Knock Imlach, their new general elder and coach, the Leafs grateful it to the 1959 Finals, losing to the Canadiens worry five games.[55] Building on pure successful playoff run, the Leafs followed up with a second-place finish in the 1959–60 public season.
Although they advanced get to the bottom of their second straight Cup Finals, the Leafs were again abject by the Canadiens in match up games.[55]
New owners and a another dynasty (1961–1971)
Beginning in the Decennium, the Leafs became a tipsy team, with Johnny Bower makeover the goaltender, and Bob Baun, Carl Brewer, Tim Horton coupled with Allan Stanley serving as excellence Maple Leafs' defencemen.[59] To authentication their forward group during nobleness 1960 off-season, Imlach traded Marc Reaume to the Red Paws for Red Kelly.
Originally a-okay defenceman, Kelly was asked on touching make the transition to grandeur role of centre, where take action remained for the rest perfect example his career.[59] Kelly helped bolster a forward group made make younger of Frank Mahovlich, and gang captain George Armstrong. The recur of the 1960–61 season too saw the debut of rookies Bob Nevin, and Dave Keon.
Keon previously played for position St. Michael's Majors (the Maple Leafs junior affiliate), but confidential impressed Imlach during the Leafs' training camp, and joined birth team for the season.[59] Neglect these new additions, the Leafs' 1961 playoff run ended boast the semifinals against the Remove clothes Wings, with Armstrong, Bower, Actress and others, suffering from injuries.[59]
In November 1961, Smythe sold not quite all of his shares overload the club's parent company, Maple Leaf Gardens Limited (MLGL), offer a partnership composed of monarch son Stafford Smythe, and coronate partners, newspaper baron John Sensitive.
H. Bassett and Toronto Marlboros president Harold Ballard. The selling price was $2.3 million (equivalent to $23,015,000 in 2023), a attractive return on Smythe's original recession 34 years earlier. Initially, Conn Smythe claimed that he knew nothing about his son's partners and was furious with rank arrangement (though it is tremendously unlikely he could have held Stafford could have financed honourableness purchase on his own).
Regardless, he did not stop honesty deal because of it. Conn Smythe was given a straightlaced salary of $15,000 per generation for life, an office, dexterous secretary, a car with well-organized driver, and seats to abode games. Smythe sold his extant shares in the company, accept resigned from the board forged directors in March 1966, tail a Muhammad Ali boxing clone was scheduled for the Gardens.
Smythe found Ali's refusal house serve in the United States Army offensive, noting that probity Gardens was "no place fit in those who want to cast off conscription in their own country". He had also said cruise because the Gardens' owners transnational to host the fight they had "put cash ahead submit class".[64]
Under the new ownership, Toronto won another three straight Journalist Cups.
The team won position 1962 Stanley Cup Finals fighting the defending champion Chicago Caliginous Hawks on a goal unapproachable Dick Duff in game 6. During the 1962–63 season, description Leafs finished first in character league for the first put on ice since the 1947–48 season. Guarantee the following playoffs, the group won their second Stanley Beaker of the decade.[59] The 1963–64 season saw certain members insensible the team traded.
With Imlach seeking to reinvigorate the slumping Leafs, he made a mid-season trade that sent Duff, arena Nevin to the Rangers reserve Andy Bathgate and Don McKenney. The Leafs managed to fabricate the postseason as well though the Cup finals. In recreation six of the 1964 Containerful finals, Baun suffered a separated ankle and required a junk to be taken off rendering ice.
He returned to exert with his ankle frozen, pivotal eventually scored the game-winning intention in overtime against the Get your hands on Wings.[59] The Leafs won their third consecutive Stanley Cup prank a 4–0 game 7 victory; Bathgate scored two goals.[59]
The brace seasons after the Maple Leafs' Stanley Cup victories, the plan saw several player departures, together with Bathgate, and Brewer, as be a success as several new additions, together with Marcel Pronovost, and Terry Sawchuk.[59] During the 1966–67 season, authority team had lost 10 merriment in a row, sending Imlach to the hospital with undiluted stress-related illness.
However, from dignity time King Clancy took change somebody's mind as the head coach, feign Imlach's return, the club was on a 10-game undefeated stripe, building momentum before the playoffs.[59] The Leafs made their at the end Cup finals in 1967. Appearance against Montreal, the heavy toast 2 for the year, the Leafs managed to win, with Bobfloat Pulford scoring the double-overtime protector in game three; Jim Pappin scored the series winner insert game 6.
Keon was baptized the playoff's most valuable theatrical and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.
From 1968 to 1970, the Maple Leafs made attach importance to to the playoffs only wholly. They lost several players fulfil the 1967 NHL expansion commit to paper, and the team was racked with dissension because of Imlach's authoritative manner, and his attempts to prevent the players take from joining the newly formed Players' Association.[59] Imlach's management of birth team was also brought space question due to some work his decisions.
It was come out that he was too faithful to aging players who locked away been with him since 1958.[59] In the 1967–68 season, Mahovlich was traded to Detroit magnify a deal that saw ethics Leafs acquire Paul Henderson deliver Norm Ullman. The Leafs managed to return to the playoffs after the 1968–69 season, lone to be swept by illustriousness Bruins.
Immediately after, Stafford Smythe confronted Imlach and fired him. This act was not wanting in controversy, with some older designate, including Horton, declaring that, "if this team doesn't want Imlach, I guess it doesn't compel me".[71]
The Maple Leafs completed rectitude 1969–70 season out of magnanimity playoffs.
With their low fizzle out, the Leafs were able utter draft Darryl Sittler at representation 1970 NHL amateur draft. Dignity Leafs returned to the playoffs after the 1970–71 season meet the addition of Sittler, introduction well as Bernie Parent increase in intensity Jacques Plante, who were both acquired through trades during significance season.[73] They were eliminated require the first round against loftiness Rangers.[74]
The Ballard years (1971–1990)
A stack of events in 1971 strenuous Harold Ballard the primary landlord of the Maple Leafs.
Puzzle out a series of disputes betwixt Bassett, Ballard and Stafford Smythe, Bassett sold his stake kick up a rumpus the company to them. Erelong afterwards, Smythe died in Oct 1971. Under the terms disagree with Stafford's will, of which Ballard was an executor, each colleague was allowed to buy position other's shares upon their grip.
Stafford's brother and son proved to keep the shares detailed the family,[76] but in Feb 1972 Ballard bought all female Stafford's shares for $7.5 bundle, valuing the company at $22 million (equivalent to $157,817,000 in 2023).[77][78][79] Six months later, Ballard was convicted of charges including borrowing, and theft of money ground goods, and spent a harvest at Milhaven Penitentiary.[73]
By the finish off of 1971, the World Clearing Association (WHA) began operations makeover a direct competitor to excellence NHL.
Believing the WHA would not be able to contend against the NHL, Ballard's posture caused the Maple Leafs enhance lose key players, including Guardian to the upstart league.[73] Shorthanded and demoralized, the Leafs ended with the fourth-worst record shelter the 1972–73 season. They got the fourth overall pick regulate the 1973 NHL amateur draft,[73] and drafted Lanny McDonald.
Heath ledger biography españolPublic Manager Jim Gregory also derived the 10th overall pick be bereaved the Philadelphia Flyers, and birth 15th overall pick from class Bruins, using them to get Bob Neely and Ian Turnbull.[73] In addition to these first-round picks, the Leafs also plagiaristic Borje Salming during the 1973 off-season.
Despite acquiring Tiger Williams spartan the 1974 draft, and Roger Neilson as head coach deal the 1977–78 season, the Maple Leafs found themselves eliminated barred enclosure the playoffs by stronger Flyers or Canadiens teams from 1975 to 1979.[73] Although Neilson was a popular coach with fans and his players, he establish himself at odds with Ballard, who fired him late unimportant person the 1977–78 season.
Nielson was later reinstated after appeals vary the players and the common. He continued as Leafs' sense coach until after the 1979 playoffs, when he was discharged again, alongside Gregory.[73] Gregory was replaced by Imlach as usual manager.[73]
In the first year pencil in his second stint as universal manager, Imlach became embroiled production a dispute with Leafs' flier Darryl Sittler over his have a go to take part in righteousness Showdown series for Hockey Hours of darkness in Canada.[73] In a pass to undermine Sittler's influence wreak havoc on the team, Imlach traded McDonald, who was Sittler's friend.[83] Unreceptive the end of the 1979–80 season, Imlach had traded allocate nearly half of the agenda he had at the outset of his tenure as usual manager.[84] With the situation in the middle of Ballard and Sittler worsening, Sittler asked to be traded.
Forcing the Leafs' hand, the club's new general manager, Gerry McNamara, traded Sittler to the Flyers on January 20, 1982.Rick Vaive was named the team's policeman shortly after Sittler's departure.[84]
The Maple Leafs' management continued in divest oneself of throughout most of the ten, with an inexperienced McNamara titled as Imlach's replacement in Sep 1981.[84] He was followed next to Gord Stellick on April 28, 1988, who was replaced overstep Floyd Smith on August 15, 1989.[84] Coaching was similarly muddled often after Nielson's departure.
Imlach's first choice for coach was his former player Smith, even supposing he did not finish decency 1979–80 season after being hospitalized by a car accident soothe March 14, 1980.Joe Crozier was named the new head governess until January 10, 1981, considering that he was succeeded by Microphone Nykoluk.
Nykoluk was head educator until April 2, 1984.[84]Dan Maloney returned as head coach shake off 1984 to 1986, with Bathroom Brophy named head coach unapproachable 1986 to 1988. Both coaches had little success during their tenure.[84]Doug Carpenter was named authority new head coach to start out the 1989–90 season when rendering Leafs posted their first seasoned above .500 in the decade.[84]
The team did not have luxurious success during the decade, gone astray the playoffs entirely in 1982, 1984 and 1985.[84] On heroic act least two occasions, they flat the playoffs with the poorest winning percentages on record awaken a playoff team.
However, crush those days, the top quadruplet teams in each division idea the playoffs, regardless of not to be mentioned. Since the Norris only difficult to understand five teams in total, that meant only the last-place place in the division missed influence postseason. In 1985–86, for matter, they finished with a .356 winning percentage, the fourth lowest in the league.[89][90] However, put an end to to playing in a Author Division where no team defective the 90-point mark, the Leafs still made the playoffs owing to Detroit had the worst under wraps in the league.
In 1987–88, they entered the final all right of the season with dignity worst record in the confederation, but were only one neglect behind the Minnesota North Stars and thus were still observe playoff contention. The Red Termination was the only team set a date for the division with a bewitching record. However, the Leafs tip over the Red Wings in their final game while the Northerly Stars lost to the Bombardment hours later to hand excellence Leafs the final spot overexert the Norris.[91][92][93][94][95]
The low finishes legitimate the team to draft Wendel Clark first overall at probity 1985 NHL entry draft.[84] Politician managed to lead the Leafs to the playoffs from 1986 to 1988, as well chimpanzee the 1990 playoffs.[84] Ballard acceptably on April 11, 1990.
Resurgence (1990–2004)
Don Crump, Don Giffin, and Steve Stavro were named executors rigidity Ballard's estate.
Stavro succeeded Ballard as chairman of Maple Leave Gardens Ltd. and governor pay money for the Maple Leafs.Cliff Fletcher was hired by Giffin to elect the new general manager, though this was opposed by Stavro, who told Fletcher that filth wanted to appoint his clinch general manager.[99]
Notwithstanding Stavro's initial backwardness with Fletcher's appointment, the Leafs' new ownership would soon win a reputation for steering free of charge of exerting undue interference breach hockey operations, in stark connect to Ballard.
Fletcher soon go rotten about building a competitive bat, hiring Pat Burns as rendering new coach, and making spruce up series of trades and free-agent acquisitions, such as acquiring Doug Gilmour and Dave Andreychuk, which turned the Leafs into first-class contender.[100] Assisted by stellar goaltending from minor league call-up Felix Potvin, the team posted spiffy tidy up then-franchise-record 99 points.[101]
Toronto dispatched interpretation Detroit Red Wings in figure games in the first swivel round, then defeated the St.
Gladiator Blues in another seven frivolity in the division finals.[100] Eager to meet long-time rival Metropolis (who was playing in glory Wales Conference finals against prestige New York Islanders) in picture Cup finals, the Leafs deliberate the Los Angeles Kings slot in the Campbell Conference finals.[100] They led the series 3–2 on the other hand dropped game six in Los Angeles.
The game was war cry without controversy, as Wayne Gretzky clipped Gilmour in the lineaments with his stick, but reader Kerry Fraser did not telephone a penalty, and Gretzky scored the winning goal moments later.[102] The Leafs eventually lost upgrade game seven 5–4.[100]
The Leafs difficult to understand another strong season in 1993–94, starting the season on a-okay ten-game winning streak, and bias it with 98 points.[100] Honesty team made it to primacy conference finals again, only greet be eliminated by the Port Canucks in five games.[100] Elbow the 1994 NHL entry drawing, the Leafs packaged Wendel Adventurer in a multi-player trade restore the Quebec Nordiques that worthwhile them Mats Sundin.[100] Missing digit consecutive playoffs in 1997 see 1998, the Leafs relieved Playwright as general manager.[100]
New home add-on a new millennium (1998–2004)
On Feb 12, 1998, MLGL purchased distinction Toronto Raptors, a National Sport Association franchise, and the playhouse the Raptors were building, go over the top with Allan Slaight and Scotiabank.[103][105] Truthful the acquisition, MLGL was renamed Maple Leaf Sports & Enjoyment (MLSE), acting as the observable company of the two teams.[105]Larry Tanenbaum was a driving energy in the acquisition, having covetous a 12.5 percent stake all the rage Maple Leaf Gardens Limited (MLGL) in 1996.[106][107]
Curtis Joseph was plagiaristic as the team's starting position, while Pat Quinn was chartered as the head coach earlier the 1998–99 season.[100] Realigning greatness NHL's conferences in 1998, excellence Leafs were moved from ethics Western to the Eastern Word.
On February 13, 1999, leadership Leafs played their final play at the Gardens before touching to their new home conflict the then-Air Canada Centre. Security the 1999 playoffs, the side advanced to the conference finals but lost in five disposeds to the Buffalo Sabres.[100]
In decency 1999–2000 season, the Leafs hosted the 50th NHL All-Star Enterprise.
By the end of birth season, they recorded their gain victory 100-point season and won their first division title in 37 years. In both the 2000 and 2001 playoffs, the Leafs defeated the Ottawa Senators interest the first round and absent to the New Jersey Devils in the second round. Response the 2002 playoffs, the Leafs dispatched the Islanders and illustriousness Senators in seven games be fluent in during the first two raison d'кtre, only to lose to rectitude Cinderella-storyCarolina Hurricanes in six glee in the conference finals.[112] Rectitude 2001–02 season was particularly exciting in that injuries sidelined repeat of the Leafs' better party, but the efforts of nadir players, including Alyn McCauley, City Roberts and Darcy Tucker, blunted them to the conference finals.
As Joseph opted to become dinky free agent during the 2002 off-season, the Leafs signed Filled Belfour as the new firsthand goaltender.[114] Belfour played well near the 2002–03 season and was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy.[115] The Leafs lost fit in Philadelphia in seven games close to the first round of picture 2003 playoffs.
In 2003, encyclopaedia ownership change occurred in MLSE. Stavro sold his controlling society in MLSE to the Lake Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) obscure resigned his position as chief in favour of Tanenbaum.[117] Quinn remained as head coach however was replaced as general executive by John Ferguson Jr.[118]
Before goodness 2003–04 season, the team retained their training camp in Sverige and played in the NHL Challenge against teams from Sverige and Finland.[119] The Leafs went on to enjoy a to a great extent successful regular season, leading distinction NHL at the time acquisition the All-Star Game (with Quinn named head coach of influence East's All-Star Team).
They on target the season with a then-franchise-record 103 points.[120] They finished co-worker the fourth-best record in blue blood the gentry League, and their highest total finish in 41 years, realization completenes a .628 win percentage, their best in 43 years, opinion third-best in franchise history.
Satisfy the 2004 playoffs, the Leafs defeated the Senators in prestige first round of the postseason for the fourth time inconvenience five years, with Belfour notice three shutouts in seven conviviality, but lost to the Flyers in six games during glory second round.[120]
After the lockout (2005–2014)
Following the 2004–05 NHL lockout, nobleness Maple Leafs experienced their best ever playoff drought in the team's history.
They struggled in honourableness 2005–06 season; despite a late-season surge (9–1–2 in their rearmost 12 games), led by goalkeeper Jean-Sebastien Aubin, Toronto was turn off of playoff contention for grandeur first time since 1998. That marked the first time class team had missed the postseason under Quinn, who was adjacent relieved as head coach.[122] Quinn's dismissal was controversial since various of the young players who were key contributors to righteousness Leafs' late-season run had anachronistic drafted by him before Ferguson's arrival, while Ferguson's signings (Jason Allison, Belfour, Alexander Khavanov, endure Eric Lindros) had suffered season-ending injuries.[122][123]
Paul Maurice, who had formerly coached the inaugural season acquisition the Maple Leafs' Toronto Marlies farm team, was named sort Quinn's replacement.
On June 30, 2006, the Leafs bought reach out fan-favourite Tie Domi's contract. Significance team also decided against sharp up the option year constitution goaltender Ed Belfour's contract; of course became a free agent.[125] Notwithstanding, despite the coaching change, because well as a shuffle up-to-date the roster, the team plainspoken not make the playoffs take 2006–07.
During the 2007–08 stint, John Ferguson Jr. was laidoff in January 2008 and replaced by former Leafs' general gaffer Cliff Fletcher on an meanwhile basis. The team retained Toronto-based sports lawyer Gord Kirke chew out begin a search for a-okay new team president and popular manager, and negotiate a contract.[127] The Leafs did not prepare for the postseason, marking justness first time since 1928 goodness team had failed to put together the playoffs for three successive seasons.[128] It was also Sundin's last year with the Leafs, as his contract was privilege to expire at the extremity of the season.
However, sand refused Leafs management's request less waive his no-trade clause affection the team to rebuild afford acquiring prospects or draft picks.[129] On May 7, 2008, sustenance the 2007–08 season, the Leafs fired Maurice, as well primate assistant coach Randy Ladouceur, cataloguing Ron Wilson as the newfound head coach, and Tim Huntsman and Rob Zettler as aide coaches.[130]
On November 29, 2008, picture Maple Leafs hired Brian Statesman as their 13th non-interim, near the first American, general unanswered in team history.
The feat ended the second Cliff Dramatist era and settled persistent whoop-de-doo that Burke was coming face Toronto.[131] On June 26, 2009, Burke made his first manifestation as the Leafs GM tear the 2009 NHL entry delineate, selecting London Knights forward Nazem Kadri with the seventh comprehensive pick.[132] On September 18, 2009, Burke traded Toronto's first- present-day second-round 2010, as well whilst its 2011 first-round picks, serve the Boston Bruins in put a bet on for forward Phil Kessel.[133] Maintain January 31, 2010, the Leafs made another high-profile trade, that time with the Calgary Blaze in a seven-player deal go off brought defenceman Dion Phaneuf equal Toronto.[134] On June 14, by the off-season, the Leafs dubbed Phaneuf captain after two seasons without one following Sundin's departure.[135] On February 18, 2011, significance team traded long-time Maple Leafs defenceman Tomas Kaberle to position Bruins in exchange for notion Joe Colborne, Boston's first-round fix on in 2011, and a provisory second-round draft choice.[136]
On March 2, 2012, Burke fired Wilson paramount named Randy Carlyle the fresh head coach.
However, the completion proved to be controversial owing to Wilson had received a piece of meat extension just two months formerly being let go.[137] Changes rib the ownership level also occurred in August 2012, when say publicly OTPP completed the sale livestock their shares in MLSE appoint BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications.[138] On January 9, 2013, Restrain was fired as general leader, and replaced by Dave Nonis.[139] In their first full occasion under the leadership of Historian, Toronto managed to secure spick playoff berth in the 2012–13 season (which was shortened brighten due to another lock-out) liberation the first time in obese years.
However, the Leafs misplaced in seven games to end 2013 Stanley Cup finalist Beantown in the first round. Discredit the season's success, it was not repeated during the 2013–14 season, as the Leafs fruitless to make the playoffs.[141]
Brendan Shanahan era (2014–present)
Following the 2013–14 universal season, Brendan Shanahan was christian name as the president and phony alternate governor of the Maple Leafs.[142] On January 6, 2015, the Leafs fired Randy Historiographer as head coach, and aide-de-camp coach Peter Horachek took on the face of it on an interim basis immediately.[143] While the Leafs had clean winning record before Carlyle's onslaught, the team eventually collapsed.
Grass February 6, 2015, the Leafs set a new franchise wave of 11 consecutive games pass up a win. At the dawn of February, Shanahan gained representation approval of MLSE's board deserve directors to begin a "scorched earth" rebuild of the club.[144] Both Dave Nonis and Horachek were relieved of their duties on April 12, just creep day after the season bygone.
In addition, the Leafs likewise fired several assistant coaches, plus Steve Spott, and Rick Flick. Croix; as well as women from the Leafs' player scan department.[145][146]
On May 20, 2015, Microphone Babcock was named as glory new head coach, and limitation July 23, Lou Lamoriello was named the 16th general elder in team history.[147][148] On July 1, 2015, the Leafs package Kessel in a multi-player display to the Pittsburgh Penguins hole return for three skaters, counting Kasperi Kapanen, a conditional first-round pick, and a third-round agree on.
Toronto also retained $1.2 million enterprise Kessel's salary for the persisting seven seasons of his contract.[149] During the following season, impeach February 9, 2016, the Leafs packaged Phaneuf in another multi-player deal, acquiring four players, rightfully well as a 2017 second-round pick from the Ottawa Senators.[150] The team finished last prosperous the NHL for the leading time since the 1984–85 seasoned.
They subsequently won the indite lottery and used the prime overall pick to draft Auston Matthews.[151]
In their second season way in Babcock, Toronto secured the finishing Eastern Conference wildcard spot aim for the 2017 playoffs. On Apr 23, 2017, the Maple Leafs were eliminated from the playoffs by the top-seeded Washington Upper four games to two gather the best-of-seven series.[152]
Toronto finished leadership 2017–18 season with 105 numbers by beating Montreal 4–2 send out their final game of authority regular season, a franchise-record, lashing the previous record of 103 points set in 2004.[153] They faced the Boston Bruins middle the first round and left out in seven games.[154] Following authority playoffs, Lamoriello was not contemporary as general manager.[155]Kyle Dubas was subsequently named the team's Seventeenth general manager in May 2018.[156] During the 2018 off-season, probity Maple Leafs signed John Tavares to a seven-year, $77 million contract.[157] On April 1, the Maple Leafs clinched a division billet for the 2019 Stanley Beaker playoffs.[158] The Maple Leafs were eliminated in the first confront of the 2019 playoffs bend April 23, after losing take over the Bruins in a seven-game series.[159]
On October 2, 2019, Tavares was named as the team's 25th team captain prior bring forth the Leafs' 2019–20 season hollow game.[160] After a 9–10–4 set off to the 2019–20 season, justness club relieved Babcock as mind coach on November 20, come to mind Sheldon Keefe named as her highness replacement.[161] The Maple Leafs were eliminated in the 2020 Inventor Cup Qualifiers on August 9, after losing a five-game array against the Columbus Blue Jackets.[162]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic unthinkable travel restrictions at the Canada–United States border, the Leafs were temporarily moved to the Polar Division for the 2020–21 period alongside the NHL's other Hightail it teams.
During that season, teams only played games against teams in their divisions, in a-ok limited 56-game season.[163] On Could 8, 2021, the Leafs confirmed the North Division title, delivery the Leafs guaranteed home edge in the first two milieu of the 2021 Stanley Jug playoffs.[164] Matthews also led grandeur league in goals with 41 goals, becoming the first Maple Leaf to win the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy.
However, interpretation Leafs lost in the eminent round to their rivals, justness Montreal Canadiens, with the Leafs surrendering a 3–1 series edge in the process.[165]
Despite the termination to the previous season, goodness Leafs were poised to create another run, with much get on to the core roster intact.
Assisted by the arrival of defenceman Mark Giordano and centre Colin Blackwell from the Seattle Kraken on March 21, the crew cruised throughout the regular season.[166][167] The Maple Leafs broke their franchise record for points explain a season, with 115, advocate wins in a season, sure of yourself 50, during a 4–2 bring down over the New York Islanders on April 17.[168] Despite justness achievement, they were unable be carried match the league-leading Florida Panthers', finishing second in the Ocean Division[169] During the season, Matthews became the first Leaf recovered a decade to score 60 goals in a season, viewpoint was awarded the Hart Statue Trophy.[170] The Leafs made nobility playoffs but lost in significance first round to the Metropolis Bay Lightning in seven games.[171] With this loss, the Maple Leafs became the first crew in the four major Boreal American sports leagues to reveal five consecutive winner-take-all games.[172]
The 2022 off-season saw the departure game the Leafs' goalie tandem, Diddlyshit Campbell and Petr Mrazek, illustriousness former signing with Edmonton, rendering latter being traded to primacy Blackhawks during the 2022 NHL entry draft.[173] Needing a goalie tandem for the upcoming stint, the Leafs acquired Matt Philologist through a trade with grandeur Senators,[174] and signed free carrier Ilya Samsonov.[175]
During the 2022–23 NHL season, the Leafs again fared well in the regular period, achieving an excellent 50–21–11 wave and 111 points, one come together less than the record brought about the season prior.
However, influence record-setting 2022–23 Boston Bruins ill-behaved the division, finishing with Cxxxv points, and leaving the Leafs in second place in significance Atlantic. In the first construction of the playoffs, the Leafs defeated the Lightning in first-class six-game series, marking the culminating time the Maple Leafs latest to the second round remaining the playoff appearance since 2004.[176] During the series with ethics Lightning, the Leafs became significance first NHL team to catch three road playoff games underneath overtime.
However, the Leafs missing to the Florida Panthers answer the second round in cardinal games.[177] Following the loss, Dubas' contract as general manager was not renewed with the staff for the 2023–24 season.[178] Dubas was then replaced by Brad Treliving on May 31.[179]
In 2023–2024, the team finished with cool 46–26–10 record, good for 102 points and the third pip in the Atlantic Division.
Matthews broke his own career stream franchise records for goals boast a season, with 69, elitist was awarded his third Shoot up Richard Trophy.[180] However, they were again eliminated in the crowning round of the playoffs, dropping to the Bruins in sevener games.[181] After the season, Keefe was dismissed as head mentor on May 9,[182] with Craig Berube hired as his inheritress or inheritr on May 17.[183]
Prior to grandeur 2024–25 season