Editor In Leaf
Fansided

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

By Spencer Teixeira|
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)
6 of 6
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 31: Toronto Maple Leafs alumni Borje Salming #21 warms up before taking on Detroit Red Wings alumni during the 2017 Rogers NHL Centennial Classic Alumni Game at Exhibition Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 31: Toronto Maple Leafs alumni Borje Salming #21 warms up before taking on Detroit Red Wings alumni during the 2017 Rogers NHL Centennial Classic Alumni Game at Exhibition Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

No. 1 – Borje Salming

At number 1 we have Borje Salming. The 6-time All Star and Hall of Famer sits a top the Leafs all time defensive scoring record with 768 points in 1099 games played (Quant Hockey) .

The slick-skating offensive dynamo spent 16 years in the Blue & White, and was nominated for the Norris trophy 10 times. Salming’s 1099 games played places him 2nd all time (for defensemen) in Leafs history, only behind the legendary Tim Horton (1184 GP). (via Quant Hockey)

The Swedish superstar had 8 seasons of 40 points or more, four of which were above 70 points. Notably, when using Hockey Reference’s adjusted scoring tool, each of those 4 season translate to 60+ point seasons in the modern NHL.

Although not much can be said for the Toronto Maple Leafs teams that he played for, Salming is a certified legend in Toronto and is very much the best defender in franchise history.

Home/All-Time Lists