David Scala
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a lot more great players on their roster this decade than their team success would indicate.
"Willy nuilly"
TYLER BOZAK
The often criticized undrafted college free agent was thrown into first-line minutes nearly his entire tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
While he wasn’t the most skilled player, his body of work for the Toronto Maple Leafs was crucial for a team that had no center depth for most of the decade. Bozak was fairly good at everything, but never one particular thing.
Most Memorable Moment:
2016/2017 Game 3 OT winning goal against Washington.
Nazem Kadri
Kadri was the best Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick to play during the last decade not named Morgan Rielly.
His style of play was reminiscent of Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark days. Kadri would hit and fight you, and then score on you the next shift. Nazem played on the edge with all heart and emotion, allowing for some remarkable moments. The Maple Leafs would suffer at the expense of Kadri’s emotions at times, including his final game as a Toronto Maple Leaf.
Most Memorable Moments:
Don Cherry kiss on HNIC
Hat trick against the Islanders/Senators in 2013.
John Tavares
The biggest unrestricted-free-agent signing in Toronto Maple Leafs history, and of the decade in the NHL.
Tavares is the most complete player Toronto has had since Mats Sundin. He scores goals, he defends, and he leads by example with his humbleness and strong work ethic. Recently named captain in his second season with the team, Tavares continues to show how valuable of a player and leader he is.
Most Memorable Moments:
First goal as a Maple Leaf against MTL in his first game as a Leaf.
Hat trick against Chicago in 2018.
Auston Matthews
Drafted first overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Auston Matthews is the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Auston is an elite scoring talent who is emerging into a top tier talent across the league. The goal for Matthews is to become a complete package player, and there is doubt he won’t. Auston has scored 30+ goals in each of his first three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and is on pace for 50 this season.
Most Memorable Moment:
4 goals in his first NHL game against the Ottawa Senators
PHil Kessel
Phil Kessel was traded to Toronto in the wrong decade.
A superstar wing talent, Phil was beloved by Toronto Maple Leafs fans. With a quirky personality and flash on the ice, Kessel was a household name in Toronto.
His time in Toronto was nothing short of perfect, and there were many times where he got criticism for his lack of effort. Sometimes the criticism was deserved, and sometimes it wasn’t. To this day, it’s hard not to see a Phil Kessel jersey on at Scotiabank Arena or in a crowd of Leafs fans.
Most Memorable Moment:
Breakaway playoff goal against Boston in 2013.
James van Riemsdyk
JVR and his green mouthguard scoring on tips and deflections, name a more iconic duo. JVR was the Maple Leafs most consistent left-winger during the decade and was cash money for 20+ goals in four of his six seasons with the team.
Most Memorable Moment:
Goal against the Flyers to start the comeback in 2013.
Joffrey Lupul
When Joffrey Lupul was in the Maple Leafs lineup, he was a fantastic player. Another heart and soul kind of player, Lupul instantly clicked with Nazem Kadri. The issue for Lupul was staying healthy enough to play for the team for more than 20 games at a time.
Most Memorable Moment:
End to end goal against the Hurricanes in 2013.
Zach Hyman
Zach Hyman is the ultimate worker-bee. The Maple Leafs have had players similar to Hyman in the past, but none of them quite stack up to Hyman’s work ethic. Hyman rarely takes a shift off, and is seemingly always involved in the outcome of the game. Hyman has the drive and determination all fans value and wish for in a hockey player.
Most Memorable Moment:
Whenever he steps on the ice
Mitch Marner
The hometown kid, drafted by his favorite team. The stars aligned perfectly with Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The only negative part of Mitch Marner was his contract negotiations, and thank the lord that is over. Mitch is the ultimate “kid” and exemplifies the inner Leafs fan in all of us. Crafty and crazy like a waterbug on the ice, Marner is electric.
Most Memorable Moment:
Shot block against Boston in the 2019 Playoffs
William Nylander
William Nylander is the most polarizing Maple Leaf in franchise history. He should not be polarizing at all.
There has never been a player more talked about for seemingly everything and nothing since his draft year. What’s the next story on Nylander? Is he on the trade block? (No) Is he producing? Is he good enough? The stat wizards say he is a good hockey player, and the media says he isn’t all that effective. Sources say he’s on a 30+ goal pace, while also making everyone lose their minds at the same time.
Well played Willy.
Most Memorable Moment:
Moving past the contract negotiations and enjoying him play hockey.
Nic Kulemin
Kulemin has a cult following among select Toronto Maple Leafs fans, and I can proudly say that I am one of them. Kulemin played six years in Toronto, with his best in 2010/2011 scoring 30 goals and 57 points.
What most fans don’t know about Kulemin knew all the players who lost their lives in the Russian plane crash in 2011. Naming Igor Korolev and Alexander Karpovtsev in particular, Kulemin was never the same after that crash. With the promise of becoming a skilled offensive talent, he eventually became more of a role player. While never spectacular, he did his job well.
Most Memorable Moment:
Big hit on Adam McQuaid in 2013 Playoffs against Boston
Clark MacAruthur
Often forgotten by Maple Leafs fans, Clarke MacArthur was a damn good hockey player. Energy and physicality usually comes from guys like Tom Wilson or Ryan Reaves, Clarke played much bigger than what he was. In 195 games played for the Maple Leafs through three seasons, Clarke scored 20 goals twice and had a total of 125 points.
Most Memorable Moment:
One timer goal against Philly in 2013.
Morgan Rielly
If you told Toronto Maple Leafs fans that Morgan Rielly is only 25 years old, they would scoff in disgust.
Rielly has been through the dark ages of the Maple Leafs, which makes it seem like he is in his 30’s. An ultimate leader, Rielly has always strived to be the best player and teammate he can. He can be quite the adventure on the ice because of his offensive-minded style, but he has matured into the Leafs most important player on the back end.
Jake Gardiner
Jake Gardiner put up with a lot of backlash as a Maple Leaf, and it wasn’t until he left did fans truly see how good of a player he was.
A god at the stretch pass and silky smooth on transition, Gardiner was the ultimate mobile defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Like Rielly, Gardiner took risks in order to create. The fans will remember the glaring mistakes because when he made them, oh you clearly tell it was a mistake. What the fans should remember instead his game seven collapses, was all the plays he created from making good decisions.
Most Memorable Moment:
Goal against the Bruins in the 2013 Playoffs
Dion Phaneuf
Most Memorable Moment:
Holding his own as the captain of the Maple Leafs during a rough decade.
TOMAS KABERLE
Most Memorable Moment:
Never shooting the puck, but always involved in the play.
CARL GUNNARSSON
Carl Gunnarsson was never particularly flashy in his play, and you could say he was a bit underrated during his time with the Maple Leafs. Carl played a steady game and was more than serviceable on the second pairing. Oddly enough, he was traded for Roman Polak.
Most Memorable Moment:
Fairly steady defense, and a cool name.
Roman Polak
Roman Polak on a Toronto Maple Leafs All-Decade Roster shows just how thin the right side has been. Polak was never praised in Toronto for his stellar defensive play, but his rough and tough attitude was always appreciated.
Most Memorable Moment:
His physical play.
Freddie Andersen
Frederik Andersen has been the Maple Leafs MVP his entire tenure with the team. He has stolen games himself and continues to be steady as it gets between the pipes.
He is a career .917sv% goalie for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and is the quickest European goaltender to reach 200 NHL wins.
With over 7000 shots against and over 6000 saves, Andersen gets peppered more than a team would like. He plays for the team in front of him, regardless of the countless 30 and 40 shot games against.
Most Memorable Moment:
Stick save against the Bruins in 2018 Playoffs
James mer
James Reimer came out of nowhere and battled his way to a starting job in the NHL. If there was a “nicest guy ever” award in the NHL, James Reimer would win it until he retired.
There was something about his personality that made everyone love him. Reimer put the 2012/2013 Maple Leafs on his back and was a big reason why the Maple Leafs made the playoffs. Unfortunately, he will always be remembered to all for the game 7 collapse against Boston that same year.
Most Memorable Moment:
The first goalie to carry the Leafs on his back into the playoffs in 9 years (2013)