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Toronto Maple Leafs: Top Five Captains in Team History

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

Dec 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Maple Leafs logo at center ice before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Maple Leafs logo at center ice before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Statues of former Toronto Maple Leafs players Mats Sundin and Tim Horton and Borje Salming and Darryl Sittler and Ted Kennedy and Syl Apps and Dave Keon and George Armstrong and Johnny Bower and Turk Broda enshrined outside on Legends Row before the game against the Calgary Flames at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Statues of former Toronto Maple Leafs players Mats Sundin and Tim Horton and Borje Salming and Darryl Sittler and Ted Kennedy and Syl Apps and Dave Keon and George Armstrong and Johnny Bower and Turk Broda enshrined outside on Legends Row before the game against the Calgary Flames at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Mats Sundin

Career stats:  1346 GP, 564 G, 785 A, 1349 P

Achievements: Maple Leafs franchise leader in points and goals, Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2008, and Hockey Hall of Fame, inducted in 2012, 

My personal choice for greatest captain of all time is none other than Mats Sundin, who captained the Leafs from 1997-2008. Now Mats Sundin has had a truly amazing career. Unfortunately, one thing he wasn’t able to do that other Leafs captains did accomplish was win the cup. I know that’s the ultimate goal in playing in the NHL, let alone captaining an NHL team, but aside from that fact Sundin did a lot for this city and this team.

Sundin is the Toronto Maple Leafs all time leader in goals and points. That already is a fantastic feat on it’s own. On top of this, he led the team out from dark times and brought them to playoff contention year in and year out during the 2000s. He also put in the work and exemplified what an NHL captain should be like. He was humble, good with the media, and he was always pretty involved with the community. For a lot of people, Sundin was a dominant player that always made the Maple Leafs look good. He may not have won a cup, but he led his team to conference finals appearances in 1999 and 2002 and consistently made sure the Leafs were contenders.

Mats Sundin has arguably made a bigger mark in the Leafs modern era than any other player. His career was packed with many highlights and memories which always kept Toronto fans satisfied. Who can ever forget his 500th goal in overtime to complete a hat trick? He was also a charming player who was always a fan favourite in the city. Mats Sundin was absolutely fantastic on and off the ice, which is why he is my choice for the number one captain in Leafs history.

So there you have it. This was my personal list for the best Leafs captain, and this is all a matter of personal opinion. Let me know in the comments below who you think are the best Leafs captains of all time. Also, feel free to tweet me on Twitter: @Matt_Rodrigo_

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