The Top-Five All-Time Best Toronto Maple Leafs Defensemen

2004 Season: Player Brian Leetch of the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
2004 Season: Player Brian Leetch of the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO,ON – DECEMBER 6: Morgan Rielly #44 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 6, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Red Wings defeated the Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Over the course of their 102-year history, the Toronto Maple Leafs have had some fantastic defensemen. Today I count down my top 5 of all time.

***Disclaimer*** My selections for best Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen are based off tenure, production, and influence.

Furthermore, I hold players who have played since the year 2000 in a higher regard in my rankings, as this is the era where I have first-hand knowledge.

That being said, and before we dive into my picks, I must list off some honorable mentions.

-Tim Horton (1184 GP, 458 PTS with TOR 1949-70)

Jake Gardiner (551 GP, 245 PTS with TOR 2011-19)

-Dion Phaneuf (423 GP, 196 PTS with TOR 2010-16)

-Ian Turnbull (580 GP, 414 PTS with TOR 1973-1982)

Stats via Quant Hockey and Hockey Reference

Enjoy the list!