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Toronto Maple Leafs: The All-Decade Starting Lineup

BySpencer Teixeira|
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 09: Nazem Kadri #43 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 9, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 09: Nazem Kadri #43 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 9, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 28: Cody Franson #4 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during NHL game action against the Buffalo Sabres October 28, 2014 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 28: Cody Franson #4 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during NHL game action against the Buffalo Sabres October 28, 2014 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Images)

Cody Franson

Acquired: via trade (July 3rd 2011)

  • From NSH, with Matthew Lombardi, for Brett Lebda, Robert Slaney and a 2013 4th round pick (Zach Pochiro)

Stats w/ Toronto (2011-2015)

  • 236 Games Played
  • 20 Goals
  • 115 Points
  • 50.4 CorsiFor%
  • 101.0 PDO

If I’m being completely honest, Franson’s placement on this list was purely out of necessity, being the highest scoring RHD in the past decade for the Leafs. That being said, Franson is actually a good player.

Although not the be-all-end-all of player analysis, Dom Galamini’s Hero Charts are really good at getting a simple face-value look at a player. For example, Franson plays at the level of a 3rd pairing defenseman (49%), which is based on his ‘primary points per 60 minutes’ and ‘shots vs average per 60 minutes’ metrics (all measured on the Even-strength statistics)

So, Franson was an effective player, although not exactly a game-breaker. His production was good in Toronto, not great. His analytics were good, not great.

Even still, despite Franson’s ‘good’ status, his inclusion on this list speaks to the Leafs teams assembled over the last decade, although that is another discussion for another day.

TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 23: James Reimer #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs prepares for a shot against the Montreal Canadiens during game action on January 23, 2016 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 23: James Reimer #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs prepares for a shot against the Montreal Canadiens during game action on January 23, 2016 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Images)

James Reimer

Acquired: via Draft pick

  • 4th Round, 99th overall in 2006

Stats w/ Toronto (2011-16)

  • 207 Games Played
  • 85 Wins
  • .914 Save Percentage
  • 2.83 Goals Against Average
  • 11 Shutouts
  • .925 Even Strength Save Percentage

Reimer was the first to come to mind when I began writing this list. The Manitoba native sits 15th all-time in career save percentage with Toronto, and 5th all-time (tied with Bruce Gamble) among goalies who have played 100+ games with the franchise (at a .914 SV%).

Reimer arrived as a shining light of hope during what looked to be another lost season for the Leafs in 2011-12, following the injury of Jonas Gustavsson and Jean-Sebastian Giguere.

Following a hot streak that season, Reimer emerged as the team’s starting goalie, and held that position through his trade in 2016.

Throughout his 6 year stint in Toronto, Reimer was a good soldier and an even better goalie.

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