By Over the years, we’ve witnessed many good players who have greatly sacrificed and contributed to the Leafs’ organization. Some achieved squad success and some directed the squad with skill and perseverance. Here are the 7 best Toronto Maple Leafs players you need to know.
1. Mats Sundin
Full name: Mats Johan Sundin
Born: 13th February 1971 (age 52)
Nationality: Swedish
Position: Centre
Played for: Djurgårdens IF, Quebec Nordiques, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Canucks
Mats Sundin is a Swedish retired pro ice hockey player who spent most of his career in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a center for the Quebec Nordiques, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Canucks. He played 11 seasons for the Leafs’ and even served as a captain. Sundin is considered to be one of the best players for the Leafs until retiring in 2009. He played his final season (2008-09) for the Vancouver Canucks. For a total of 18 seasons, he played, and he made it to the Stanley Cup playoffs ten times.
2. Francis Mahovlich
Full name: Francis William Mahovlich
Born: 10th January 1938 (age 85)
Nationality: Canadian
Position: Left Wing
Played for: Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Montreal Canadiens
Francis Mahovlich is a Canadian retired pro ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Montreal Canadiens. He appeared on six Stanley Cup-winning squads. In 1981, Mahovlich was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and in 1999, he was again inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. He was also included as one of the ‘100 Greatest NHL Players in history in 2017.
3. Borje Salming
Full name: Anders Börje Salming
Born: 17th April 1951
Died: 24th November 2022 (aged 71)
Nationality: Swedish
Position: Defence
Played for: Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings
Borje Salming spent 23 seasons of his pro career for the Brynäs IF, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and AIK. He played 16 seasons with the Maple Leafs, retiring in 2016. He holds numerous Leafs’ records such as being the player with the highest number of assists. Salming was widely considered one of the best players of the Leafs.
4. Johnny Bower
Full name: John William Bower
Born: 8th November 1924
Died: 26th December 2017
Position: Goaltender
Played for: New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs
Often referred to as “The China Wall”, Johnny Bower was a Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender inducted in 1976. He was a four-time Stanley Cup champ during his stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was also included as one of the “100 Greatest NHL Players” in history in 2017.
5. John Tavares
Full name: John Tavares
Born: 20th September 1990 (age 32)
Nationality: Canadian
Position: Centre
Current NHL team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Currently one of the best active players of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL), John Tavares serves as the captain of the Leafs. He was picked 1st overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders, where Tavares played 9 seasons and captained for 5 seasons.
6. Mitch Marner
Full name: Mitchell Marner
Born: 5th May 1997 (age 25)
Nationality: Canadian
Position: Right Wing
Current NHL team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Mitch Marner is a Canadian pro ice hockey right winger and also serves as the alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was picked 4th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Maple Leafs. He is considered one of the finest players of the Leafs.
7. Auston Matthews
Full name: Auston Taylour Matthews
Born: 17th September 1997 (age 25)
Nationality: American
Position: Center
Current NHL team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews is an active player for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League. He was the first player in the modern league’s history to achieve four goals in his NHL debut. Matthews achieved forty goals in his initial season in 2016-17, establishing the Leafs’ rookie record and also becoming the second rookie to achieve the milestone and is the 4th teenager in NHL history to hold this incredible accomplishment. The 25-year-old center still has a lot up his sleeves and in the next five years, he may become one of the finest players in the NHL.
