Dante Martella
09/27/2012
Being a Leafs fan or a hockey fan in general, can be emotionally taxing. What draws me to the game more than its high-octane up-tempo movement is the opportunity

to forever be a student of the game. Listening to and learning about the storied history of the game, teams’ pasts and witnessing the evolution of the game is a wonderful opportunity that we fans have been afforded through the miracle of the internet. The beauty of it, is that what is today’s present and tomorrow’s future will at one point become part of the rich history of this game, and continue to expand the ever-growing history book of hockey. Always an avid student of history, I’ve long had an attraction to “the old times” and certainly continue to quench my thirst for knowledge about this history in any way possible. WeWantACup is dedicated to bringing you up-to-date info and analysis, but today I’d like to change up the pace (and the times) a bit. Recently, we constructed a top-20 Leafs prospect list, as well as a top-20 league prospects list, and received some wonderful feedback from all of you! Similarly, I’m happy to put together this interactive piece and am looking to getting some feedback from the fans.

As Leafs fans, we’re starving and waiting for success to take shape in some way and often times this wait can be unexplainably frustrating, particularly during a lockout. The playoff runs under Mats Sundin, Curtis Joseph and the rest seem like decades ago. Gilmour’s overtime magic, while still electrifying to think about, seems like eons ago. We’re a gloomy bunch, and I thought it might be nice to lighten up the mood with a fun exercise. I’d like to try and bring those players and moments of the past back to life, by scouring my memory and coming up with an All-Time Leafs lineup. Take your time, think back and put together what you think would be the ideal lineup.

Rules:
* Must include 1 General Manager, 1 Assistant GM, 1 Head Coach, 13 forwards, 7 defensemen and 2 goaltenders.
* Must name one Captain, and two Alternate Captains
*Player must be slotted in appropriate position (ie. No stacking centres on one line)
* Players must have played minimum 200 games as a Leaf
*Aim is to construct a complete team, so putting a scoring winger as a checking centre is illegal and will get you punched

 

All-Time Maple Leafs Roster

General Manager: C. Smythe
Responsible for keeping the team in Toronto, renaming them the Maple Leafs, and changing their colour scheme to the famed blue and white, Smythe was also the founding father of Maple Leaf Gardens. Having also supervised the construction of the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961, the significance of Smythe’s career – to hockey not only in Toronto, but to the NHL at large – is his perhaps best portrayed by his namesake trophy, which is awarded to the most valuable player in the playoffs (Conn Smythe Memorial Trophy). His name being on the Cup 8 times is what pushed me to select him as the top-dog of this team; a proven winner.

Assistant GM: Cliff Fletcher
Fletcher was one of the boldest Leafs GM’s, gave the city two of its biggest stars while also being brilliant mastermind behind the bench. Soon after arriving in Toronto, ‘the Silver Fox’ pulled the trigger on a mega-deal that would see the Leafs acquire eventual captain and superstar, Doug Gilmour in one of the biggest deals in league history. Fletcher then hired Pat Burns as coach, and the changes paid immediate dividends as Gilmour won a Selke and was runner up for the Hart, while Burns took home the Jack Adams in 1992-93. As a follow-up act, Fletcher would deal hometown favourite Wendel Clark in 1994-95, fresh off a 46-goal performance the season prior. While no doubt a shocking deal, Fletcher managed to net quite a handsome return for the organization as he landed a young Mats Sundin, who would anchor the team at centre ice for the next 13 seasons, while serving as Captain for 11 of those campaigns.

Head Coach: P. Burns
Being a coach, much like a player, is ultimately about numbers. You win games, you’re a good coach, and yet there is so much more to it. With 9 Cups between Imlach and Day, this decision was a tough one, but there’s just something about Burns. His fire, dedication, passion and ability to motivate and communicate with players behind the bench was truly admirable.

Captain: W. Clark
All out. Every shift. Enough said.

Alternates: T. Horton, D. Gilmour 
A leader amongst defensemen was crucial to me, and who better than the always respected, Tim Horton. Dougie is another forward who does it all, and wears his heart on his sleeve.

F. Mahovlich	M. Sundin	C. Conacher
D. Andreychuck	D. Sittler	R. Vaive
W. Clark	D. Gilmour	L. McDonald
G. Roberts	D. Keon	S. Thomas
D. Williams

 

B. Salming	I. Turnbull
A. Stanley	T. Horton
T. Kaberle	B. Baun
	R. Horner

J. Bower

W. Broda

Up Front

First thing’s first. It kills me to leave George Armstrong, Red Kelly and Ted Kennedy off this list, but I can’t say I’m displeased with the look of the team up the middle. Sundin and Sittler were shoo-ins as far as I was concerned in the top-6 due to their size and proficient offensive abilities, in addition to their character and leadership as two of the best Maple Leafs captains of all-time. Say what you will about the way Mats left this organization, but he earned his right to make a decision contractually, and he owed NOTHING to an organization and fans that practically begged for him to leave after he fought hard every shift in that uniform. It shocks me to this day that some fans still don’t see the irony in labeling Mats as selfish, only to turn around and say that what he should have done is accept a trade at the deadline, so selfish fans could get what they want in a return package. Moving on. Riding shotgun with Mats I’ve slotted in one of the best left wingers of all time in Frank Mahovlich, who’s big body and booming shot would provide the Swede with some net presence and a top-notch scoring threat (something he lacked his entire career in TO). Conacher on the right side represents a pure finisher as a guy who led the league in scoring and in points multiple in the 30s with stat lines like 31 goals in 37 games or 34 goals in 44 games.

On Sittler’s left wing, I’ve put in a mammoth body in the form of the 6’4” Dave Andreychuck, who registered 223 points in 219 games as a Leaf, and was one of only 3 buds in the history of the franchise to notch 50+ goals (53 in 1993-94). Not to mention the quality leadership and character he brings nightly. Not enough scoring on that line? How about another one of the three 50 goal scorers in Rick Vaive who possessed decent size and combined grit, but lacked defensive play. I figured Sittler and Andreychuck could help out with that, and Rick’s three-time 50+ goal performance in blue and white was too good to pass up as he earned the nod over Bob Pulford and Ron Ellis.

Gilmour may only be listed as 5’10”, but he brought grit and intensity like nobody’s business. Not to mention the fact that he was a slick playmaker in addition to a goal scorer that won the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward at the height of his career in 1993. Seems like an ideal 3rd line centremen for this legends team. Rekindling some magic from the early 90s with Dougie will be Mr. Wendel Clark, whose dominant physical play and fearsome clapper need no further explanation. Speaking of grit, scoring, and epic moustaches please welcome Lanny McDonald to the lineup, completing a high energy, but highly skilled 3rd line.

Believe it or not, the 4th line is what I deliberated most about. Ultimately I selected Dave Keon, a noted defensive specialist and speedster, as the centre to go along with some size and grit in Gary Roberts – who can also light the lamp – and clutch scorer extraordinaire, “Stumpy” Thomas. Though another small player, Thomas was also high on energy, and grit much like Doug Gilmour, and I’ll take his scoring prowess over the fisticuffs that a Tie Domi or Eddie Shack would bring. That said, perhaps what this team lacks is that pure fighter, which is why I’ll take Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams as my 13th forward, someone who despite making a living in the penalty box, could also score; an ideal 4th liner. As far as I’m concerned, he and Roberts could be interchangeable, but I opted for Roberts’ size and scoring touch for the starting lineup.

Analysis: A blend of size, skill and smart play up the middle: check. Size, grit and scoring on the wings: check. Someone who will drop the mitts: See Clark + Williams.

 

The Blueline

Credited with being one of the pioneers that helped usher in the influx of Europeans to the NHL, Salming also did much to change the reputation of these “Euros”. Often scrutinized for being soft players, Salming showed that Swedes and Europeans were not only high on skill, as he produced points from the back-end like no tomorrow with, but could also play a tough brand of hockey. 4-times he would break the 70-point barrier, but it is his iconic “Scarface” picture that captures the player Borje was better than any words I could conjure up. With 787 assists in 1148 games, Salming has often earned the title of “greatest Leafs d-man” but his partner Ian Turnbull certainly deserves a lot of credit, too. Not to take anything away from Salming, but Turnbull registered 440 helpers in 628 games for rate of .700 assists per game as compared to the Swede’s .686. Naturally, Salming’s longevity deserves high praise, and his ability to remain dependable throughout his career is truly remarkable. Pairing the two together was a no brainer, as they’ll anchor the defense corps nightly.

The second pairing will be the shutdown unit, used to neutralize opposing top lines with Tim Horton, who is likely the strongest defenseman to have ever donned the jersey despite his 5’10” stature, and Allan Stanley. Horton was, however, also able to rush the puck and was at one point converted to a winger; his versatility would come in handy on any team. In addition to his strength, Horton was known as a one of the most respectable and kind gentlemen to have played, a key ingredient in his famed business venture. Dickie Moore, a Leaf teammate of Horton’s in the 50s and 60s, perhaps best summed up how Tim was known throughout the league, both on and off the ice: “I don’t think there’s a better person around than Tim Horton.” His character and leadership would fulfill an important intangible quotient. Allan Stanley was also a pretty tough lad, and one of the better defensive defenseman the Leafs have ever had. Stanley played a simple and tough game on the blueline, while also putting up some respectable offensive numbers and was a key to the Leafs Cup runs in the 60s. Prior to his career in Toronto, there was a sensation that Stanley wasn’t very good, but he was at his best when playing a quiet game, and was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.

As a third pairing, I’ve slotted in some offensive prowess with Tomas Kaberle, who’s precision passing and premier rushing abilities would be an asset on the PP, and Bob Baun, who’s grit and never-say-die attitude would most certainly be welcomed and necessary additions. In this classic combination of offensive flair in Kaberle – who is second only to Salming in points by a Leafs defenseman – and defensive pugnacity in Bob Baun, noted for his ravenous hitting despite his 5’9” frame. His incredibly courageous effort to return from a broken ankle to score an overtime winner in the playoffs defines the type of player I want on my team.

My 7th d-man would be Red Horner. As tough and physical as they come, Horner was an intimidating force on the blueline playing a loud game, much to the chagrin of opposing fore checkers. I debated having Al Iafrate suit up in place of Horner, but given that he would only be utilized to bring more offense to the lineup with his cannon shot, I figured it wasn’t necessary given that I have that facet of the game covered with the above cast.

Analysis: A dependable scoring unit, followed by a shutdown pairing, and a good mix of both on the third pairing, with a capable substitute in Horner. Sounds good to me.

Between The Pipes

Goaltending would be hugely important for the success of any team, and with that I feel confident in naming Johnny Bower as my starting netminder. Backing up the China Wall would be Walter ‘Turk’ Broda, who in 1998 was ranked #60 on the The Hockey News’ list of the 100 greatest hockey players (Bower ranked 87th). Both goaltenders were noted playoff performers and have earned a combined 9 Stanley Cups and 4 Vezina Trophies.

Analysis: Proven winners. Multiple championships. Will take a puck in the face, literally.

Comment or send us your version of an All-Time Leafs lineup, and here’s to hopefully creating some more hockey memories soon!

@dmartella12