Early Years
In 1917 the Toronto Maple Leafs joined the NHL without an official nickname for the team. The same season the Toronto team would win the Stanley Cup and not have a named engraved to it until 1948 as the "Toronto Arenas". The Following season the team's name became the Toronto Arenas. When the team was sold in 1919 the 1920 season saw the Arenas renamed again to the St. Patricks for the growing Irish population. In 1922 the St. Patricks would win the Stanley Cup. After winning the Stanley Cup the St. Patricks would miss the playoffs 6 of the next 8 years. In 1927 the team was renamed for the final time to the Maple Leafs. Over the next 11 seasons, the Maple Leafs would show to be one of the premier teams in the league making the playoffs 10 consecutive times but would only win 1 Stanley Cup (in the 1931-32 season). In the 1941-42 season, the Maple Leafs would do the impossible by coming back from a 3-0 deficit in a best of 7 series against the Detroit Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup. The Maple Leafs would miss the Stanley Cup finals for the first season of the Original Six.
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Toronto's Original logo
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Original Six Era
In 1945 the Maple Leafs would win their fifth Stanley Cup in game 7 against the Detroit Red Wings. To continue their dominance the Maple Leafs would win 3 more Stanley Cups in this span. Over the entire Original Six Era, the Maple Leafs would miss the playoffs only 4 times (over 25 years). Being one of the best teams in the league it seemed the Maple Leafs would make a deep playoff push every year. In the 60s the Maple Leafs would win 4 of the 10 Stanley Cups their one coming in 1967. Unknown to anyone that 1967 would be the last time they ever won the Cup.
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Toronto's first Original Six logo (1928-1938)
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Greatest Players
1. Offense: Darryl Sittler: Darryl Sittler played 12 seasons (1971-1982) for the Toronto Maple Leafs. On February 7th, 1976 Sittler scored 10 points in 1 game (6 goals 4 assists) something that has never been repeated. In 1974 Sittler would reach at least 80 points in 8 straight seasons. Sittler was captain for the Maple Leafs for 7 seasons before being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. Darryl Sittler became the first Maple Leaf to record 100 points in a season in 1978. Darryl Sittler is second all-time in points (916), assists (527), and goals (389).
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2. Offense: Dave Keon: Dave Keon played 15 seasons (1961-1975) for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Keon won 4 Stanley Cups with the Maple Leafs winning the Conn Smythe (Playoff MVP) in 1967. Keon would win the Calder Trophy (best rookie) in 1961. In 1969 Keon became the Maple Leafs captain and would be the captain until his retirement in 1975. Keon was 1 of the greatest scorers in Maple Leaf history ranking third all-time in points (858), assists (493), and goals (365).
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3. Defense: Börje Salming: Börje Salming played 16 seasons (1974-1989) for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Salming was one of the greatest two-way forwards in his era being able to block a shot with his body then rush the puck up the ice. On 3 separate occasions, Salming was the runner-up for the James Norris Trophy (best defenseman). Salming was the first European born player to play 1,000 games. Börje Salming is the Maple Leafs all-time leading defenseman in points (768), assists (620), and goals (148).
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4. Defense: Tim Horton: Tim Horton played in 18 (1949-1970) seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Tim Horton won 4 Stanley Cups with the Maple Leafs in the 60s and never missed a playoff game in any of those years. Horton was the first Maple Leaf to play in 1,000 games because of his strength and durability Horton was nicknamed Superman. Since Horton's eyesight had been so bad he had to wear very thick glasses this led his teammates to start calling him Clark Kent. Horton didn't play with contacts in so players and fans can only imagine how good he could have been if he could see. Tim Horton ranks third all-time by a Maple Leaf defenseman in points (458), assists (349), and goals (109).
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5. Goalie: Walter Broda: Walter Broda played 13 (1935-1951) seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs winning 6 Stanley Cups in that time. Broda was known for not being a "regular season" goalie since he didn't play his hardest until the playoffs rolled around even though he won 2 Vezina trophies (best regular season goalie) in his career. When the playoffs did come though Broda was nearly unstoppable posting a 1.98 goals against average, 13 shutouts and 60 wins in 100 games played. Broda is the Maple Leafs all-time leader in wins (304), shutouts (61), and point shares (120.2).
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Stanley Cup Wins
Stanley Cups Since being founded in 1917 the Maple Leafs have won the Second most Stanley Cups than any other team with 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.