The Toronto Maple Leafs are stacked with talent and future Hall-of-Fame players.
Of the 411 members of the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF), 58 of them have played at least one game with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
That’s 14 percent of the HHOF! That’s an incredible accomplishment and is the most of any franchise in history.
If we use that percentage towards today’s current roster, that means that roughly three players on this team will get into the HHOF. Although that logic isn’t the best way to calculate it, that’s pretty accurate, if not low.
If you look at the Leafs current roster, it’s top two lines carry the tea. The teams philosophy has been built around acquiring HHOF type talent up-front and letting them lead by example.
As we look towards the roster, it’s clear the team currently has three future HHOF players.
#1. Auston Matthews
Stats: 282 Games Played, 158 Goals, 127 Assists, 285 Points
I’ve said it before and will say it again. Auston Matthews will go down as the greatest Leaf to ever play. He’s the best pure goal-scorer the team has ever seen and has the ability to reach 50 goals every year.
The biggest concern with Matthews has been health, but that’s going to happen with every player. If Matthews plays a typical 15-year career, he should reach 600 goals and go down as one of the greatest American-born players of all-time.
Sure that’s a stretch to predict the future for any player in their fourth year in the league, but Matthews is a generational talent. There’s no reason why he can’t continue on this path, as he’s not even in his prime.
#2. Mitch Marner
Stats: 300 Games Played, 83 Goals, 208 Assists, 291 Points
Over the past two seasons, Marner has turned into a point-per-game player and developed as one of the best player-makers in the NHL.
Marner not only has the ability to make the HHOF based on his god-gifted talent but because of his teammates. Over the past two seasons, Marner has been given the ability to play with John Tavares or Auston Matthews every night and it’s done wonders to his game.
For the next five seasons, barring any trades, Marner will be able to continue to play with those players and should be able to average anywhere between 60-75 assists per season. At that pace, it wouldn’t be extreme that Marner ends up with 900 career assists.
That’s a special number because only 17 players currently in the HHOF have reached that number, so with Marner’s incredible vision, expect him to be productive in the NHL for a very long time.
#3. John Tavares
Stats: 814 Games Played, 345 Goals, 424 Assists, 769 Points
Being the Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and making the HHOF are strongly correlated because 10 former captains are currently in the HHOF.
Tavares is hoping to become the 11th player and things are looking good. Tavares has never had a year where he’s scored less than 24 goals in a season and is typically a point-per-game player every campaign.
As a six-time NHL All-Star, the 29 year old Tavares was also a Hart Trophy finalist in 2014-15. The only thing missing in his career is a Stanley Cup and if he were to win that in Toronto, there wouldn’t even be a discussion about his future spot in the HHOF.
Honorable Mentions
Jason Spezza: If Spezza is able to score 60 more points and reach 1000 points in his career, there may be a conversation worth having but for now it just doesn’t seem like he’s done enough to get in.
Morgan Rielly: He’s only 26 years old, and has had back-to-back great years. If he continues on a 60-point pace into his 30s and competes for a Norris Trophy, Rielly has a chance.
William Nylander: In four full seasons, Nylander already has three 20-goal seasons. If this season is a reflection of what the future holds, Nylander’s stock is only going to rise.