Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Busts of the Last 20 Years

Toronto Marlies - Jeremy Bracco (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Toronto Marlies - Jeremy Bracco (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
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MONTREAL- DECEMBER 17: Robbie Earl #38 of the Minnesota Wild . (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)
MONTREAL- DECEMBER 17: Robbie Earl #38 of the Minnesota Wild . (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

#4. Robbie Earl

Drafted 187th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Earl was not looked at initially as a player who would make an impact with the Leafs.

I mean, there are not many sixth round picks that fans expect to jump into the line-up right away, but that changed quick with Earl’s play in the NCAA.

After developing his skill set and playing three years at the University of Wisconsin, Earl decided to forgo his senior year and join the Toronto Marlies.

It looked to be the right decision because Earl had just won the National Championship with Wisconsin and was named the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player. Not only was he spectacular during his teams run to the championship, but he had 24 goals and 50 points in his last season, only finishing second to Joe Pavelski in team scoring.

Pavelski was also American, 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, shot left-handed and was just drafted to the NHL, but in the seventh round, so many thought that Earl and him would have a similar career path.

Unfortunately, Pavelski has gone on to have five 30-plus goal seasons in the NHL, while Earl played just 47 total games in the NHL.

Earl had a 30 point and 47 point season with the Marlies before getting called up to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but after a nine-game try-out he was sent back down before being traded to Minnesota one year later.