Dangle ranks the top 100 Post-Sundin Maple Leafs

Brendan Shanahan may be the President of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he is also still a fan of the team, so to be a part of the team during its centennial celebration is not just good timing, but an honour for him.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob8mRjm_f5w

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.

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