Toronto Maple Leafs is an ice hockey team based in Toronto. It was founded in 1917 and Toronto Maple Leafs is one of the Original Six teams, along with Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings. Original Six term means that those six teams competed NHL before its 1967 expansion. Even Toronto Maple Leafs has 13 Stanley Cup championships, it is better known with 51-season drought between championships – the longest current drought in the NHL.

Toronto Team History

Toronto Maple Leafs was founded in 1917, first name of team was Toronto Arenas (1917-19) then Toronto St.Patricks (1919-27) and then Toronto Maple Leafs (1927-present). Toronto Maple Leafs has won 13 Stanley Cups, only Montreal Canadiens have won more (24). Toronto Maple Leafs history shows two periods, when team has been superior – from 1941-51, when they won 6 Stanley Cups and 1961-67, when they won 4 Stanley Cups. Toronto Maple Leafs has not even reached Stanley Cup Finals after they won Stanley Cup in 1967.

Throughout the years team has underperformed heavily, even they have tried almost everything to bring back success to Toronto. The hardest period of the team was years 2005-16, when they reached to the playoffs only once (2012-13). Toronto is financially 2nd most valuable team of NHL after New York Rangers – it is currently sleeping giant.

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Owners and Staff

Currently, the General Manager of Toronto Maple Leafs is Kyle Dubas. The current head coach Sheldon Keefe was appointed to his position in 2019. The team is owned by company called Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. Toronto Maple Leafs has two minor league affiliates, those being Toronto Marlies in AHL league and Newfoundland Growlers in ECHL league.

Mats Sundin – All time leading scorer of the Leafs

Mats Sundin is Swedish player, who played 14 seasons with the Leafs. Sundin was drafted by Quebec Nordiques with first overall pick (1989) – he was first European-born player drafted first in NHL. Sundin was traded to Toronto 1994 and he made immediate impact. Mats Sundin played 981 games with Toronto and made 987 (420+567) points – over a point-per-game. He was first European captain of the Leafs history (1997-2008) and he is franchise leader of most points and goals.

Börje Salming – “The King”

Börje Salming was one of the first European player to make impact in the NHL. Salming played 16 seasons with the Maple Leafs – 1099 games and 768 (148+620) points. Salming is still all time assists leader of the Maple Leafs.

Old Generation

Toronto Maple Leaf had long history and many of the greatest players are played at Original Six era. Names like Ted Kennedy, Syl Apps, George Armstrong, Tim Horton, Charlie Conacher, Johnny Bower and Red Kelly are well known for all NHL enthuastics.

Current Stars

Auston Matthews was selected first overall in the 2016 NHL draft. He won Calder Trophy as a rookie of the year 2017. He had played four solid seasons with the Leafs reaching NHL All-Star Game every year. John Tavares was traded to Toronto 2018 and he is current captain of the Leafs.