The Toronto Maple Leafs named the Top 100 Leafs from the franchise’s first 100 years, as part of the club’s centennial celebration.
Personally, I think that’s a great thing. I mean, think of the names: Darryl Sittler, Dave Keon, Mats Sundin, Johnny Bower, George Armstrong. The list goes on and on.
But here’s the thing: I’m willing to bet most of the people reading this list aren’t 100.
In fact, most are likely under age 30. A decent chunk of you reading this are probably under 20, too. You probably never saw Keon, Bower or Armstrong play. Many of you never saw Sittler play.
Heck, a bunch of you probably barely remember the Sundin era.
Remember him? Mats Sundin? The big Swedish captain of the Leafs who helped lead Toronto to six straight playoff appearances from 1999-2004, including two Eastern Conference Finals in four years? That was a fun time to be a Leafs fan.
While things finally seem to be heading up in Leafland, almost everything since Sundin left the Maple Leafs has been a flaming, festering heap of awful.
So, obviously, we need to look at the Top 100 Leafs… Since Sundin left the Leafs.
1. Phil Kessel
This isn’t even up for debate, so don’t look at your screen all screw-faced. Since Sundin left, Phil Kessel leads the Leafs in games played (446), goals (181), assists (213), points (394), game-winning goals (31), power-play goals (52), even-strength goals (128), shots (1663), and food-related controversies.
He’s the best of the post-Sundin era. Period. Oh, also…
2. Tyler Bozak
Tyler Bozak is entering his eighth season with the Leafs. Even though he hasn’t exactly been a star, it’s incredible he’s lasted this long – 436 games and counting. As you read this list, you’ll discover how hard being a Leaf has been.
3. Nazem Kadri
I honestly can’t believe Nazem Kadri is still a Leaf. Nobody on this team has survived more trade rumours and speculation. He was Brian Burke’s first draft pick with the Leafs back in 2009, for crying out loud. He ranks fourth in post-Sundin Leafs scoring with 197 points.
Here’s a Kadri goal. Nothing happened after it.
4. Tomas Kaberle
Despite only being a Leaf for three post-Sundin seasons, Tomas Kaberle is 11th in post-Sundin Leafs scoring with 118 points in 197 games. Kaberle is the Leafs’ top defender in points-per-game (0.6) and still ranks third in post-Sundin Leafs scoring by a defender behind only Dion Phaneuf and Jake Gardiner.
5. Dion Phaneuf
This guy has been the only one to carry the mantle of Leafs captain since Sundin left. Phaneuf and Kaberle are the only post-Sundin Leafs defenders to be named to the NHL All-Star Game. Phaneuf ranks fifth in post-Sundin Leafs scoring.
6. Joffrey Lupul
What has happened to Joffrey Lupul is a crying shame. He was over a point-per-game for the Leafs in two different seasons and scored over 20 goals twice. Unfortunately his body — and maybe his contract — betrayed him over time.
7. James van Riemsdyk
Remember when the Leafs got JVR for Luke Schenn? James van Riemsdyk actually leads the post-Sundin Leafs in playoff scoring with seven points in seven games.
8. James Reimer
Optimus Reim is one of the few post-Sundin era Leafs to earn a nickname that wasn’t an insult. You could honestly argue the .924 save percentage Reimer put up in 2013 en route to a playoff berth was the best single season any Leaf has had since Sundin left.
9. Matt Stajan
With 96 points in 131 games, Stajan still ranks second in post-Sundin points per game among NHL regulars behind only Phil Kessel. He’s also one of the few guys on this list who actually played with Sundin.
10. Jason Blake
Jason Blake got a rougher ride in Toronto than he should have. He had 141 points in 216 games while going through scary health issues. Probably deserved more praise.
11. Mikhail Grabovski
Third in post-Sundin scoring with 208 points in 340 games. Yes, really.
12. Jake Gardiner
Already 10th in post-Sundin scoring. Survived #FreeGardiner.
13. Morgan Rielly
This assist and celebration should give fans hope.
14. Nikolai Kulemin
Scored 30 goals once.
15. Clarke MacArthur
Ninth in scoring, 11th in points-per game.
16. Leo Komarov
One of just five Leafs to play in a post-Sundin All-Star Game.
17. Alexei Ponikarovsky
Scored 102 points in 143 games.
18. Carl Gunnarsson
In 304 games with the post-Sundin Leafs, he was miraculously a team-best plus-15 rating.
19. Jonathan Bernier
Left on bad terms but his .922 save percentage in 55 games in his first Leafs season was stellar.
20. Cody Franson
Actually 12th in scoring.
21. Niklas Hagman
Scored a hat trick to end the Leafs’ infamous 0-7-1 start in 2009-10.
22. Luke Schenn
We thought he’d be captain.
23. Ian White
Him, too.
24. Nik Antropov
Ranks 25th in scoring despite only playing 63 post-Sundin games.
25. Peter Holland
Already 21st in post-Sundin scoring.
—
OK, now let’s speed this up a bit…
26. John Mitchell
27. Mason Raymond
28. Joey Crabb
29. Lee Stempniak
30. Dominic Moore
31. P.A. Parenteau
32. Daniel Winnik
33. Francois Beauchemin
34. Jonas Gustavsson
(Still playing, by the way.)
35. John-Michael Liles
Also still playing. Tim Gleason is not. Still paid by the Leafs, though.
36. J.S. Giguere
37. Pavel Kubina
38. Tim Connolly
39. Kris Versteeg
40. Jeff Finger
Y’know, 23 points in 66 games isn’t bad for a defender. That contract though…
41. Mike Santorelli
42. Matt Frattin
He hit the post.
43. Ben Scrivens
44. Jay McClement
45. Colby Armstrong
46. Tim Brent
Once dented a puck with his manhood.
47. David Clarkson
It’s our water bottle.
48. Brad Boyes
49. Darryl Boyce
Ripped off his nose, gets stitched up, plays next game.
50. Jamal Mayers
51. Roman Polak
52. Mike Komisarek
53. Michael Grabner
54. Matthew Lombardi
55. Richard Panik
56. Shawn Matthias
57. Colin Greening
Seriously. Scoring 15 points in 30 games is unreal for this group.
58. Viktor Stalberg
59. Mike Brown
60. William Nylander
With 16 points in 23 NHL games, Willy’s already 51st in post-Sundin Leafs scoring.
61. Colton Orr
Back when John Scott was considered a villain.
62. Anton Stralman
“Wait seriously?” Seriously. The Leafs had him. They don’t get enough grief for this trade.
63. Dave Bolland
64. Auston Matthews
The kid is already tied for 64th in post-Sundin Leafs goals and it only took him 40 minutes.
65. Boyd Devereaux
Scored his first career hat-trick in his last career game. It had a surprisingly large impact. Seriously.
66. David Steckel
67. Mike Van Ryn
The dreaded 67 slot. Also:
68. David Booth
69. Paul Ranger
70. Trevor Smith
71. Troy Bodie
72. Matt Hunwick
73. Martin Marincin
74. Fredrik Sjostrom
75. Mark Fraser
76. Korbinian Holzer
77. Christian Hanson
78. Rickard Wallin
79. Mike Kostka
80. Josh Leivo
81. Wayne Primeau
82. Jonas Frogren
83. Brooks Laich
A great vet playing an unfortunate role on the rebuilding Leafs.
84. Stephane Robidas
See above.
85. Jeremy Williams
86. Nick Spaling
87. Connor Brown
88. Joe Colborne
89. Frank Corrado
90. Zach Hyman
91. Jeff Hamilton
92. Milan Michalek
93. Byron Froese
94. Tim Gleason
95. Luca Caputi
96. Frazer McLaren
97. Jay Rosehill
98. Nikita Soshnikov
Woo!
99. Mark Arcobello
Scored twice in a game once.
100. Keith Aulie
Binged Scott Hartnell once.
There it is. You made it. The Top 100 Post-Sundin Leafs.
It hasn’t been very fun to be a Leafs fan since Mats Sundin left at the end of 2008. Will that change soon? Well, look at the list. Many of the players near the top are still there and many players who are still considered NHL rookies have already cracked the list.
Remember the ACC being this loud? Let’s see that again.