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Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Draft Misses: 1980s Edition

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 16: Jon Casey #30 of the St. Louis Blues skates against Doug Gilmour #93 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the quarter finals of the1995-1996 NHL Playoffs at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 16: Jon Casey #30 of the St. Louis Blues skates against Doug Gilmour #93 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the quarter finals of the1995-1996 NHL Playoffs at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 16: Defenseman Scott Stevens . (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 16: Defenseman Scott Stevens . (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

#6. Rod Brind’Amour (1988 NHL Entry Draft, 1st Round, 9th Overall)

Toronto’s Draft Pick: 1st Round, 6th Overall (Scott Pearson)

The 1988 NHL Entry Draft was stacked. Highlighted by Rob Blake and Alex Mogilny who we’ve already talked about, the top of this draft was even better.

There are a few more names we’ll get to, but Rod Brind’Amour is deserving of the number-six spot on this list.

The current coach of the Carolina Hurricanes was nicknamed “Rod the Bod” for a reason. He was a big body player who used his strength to his advantage.

As one of the best power forwards of the 1990s, Brind’Amour had five seasons where he scored 30-plus goals. Not only was he a goal scorer and point-producer but his defensive play was world-class, winning the Selke Trophy twice in his career.

Similar to Mogilny, Brind’Amour could have been a player to help the Leafs get over the hump and win a Cup. Their selection of Scott Pearson was a bust, as he only played 62 career games with the team before being traded to Quebec.

#5. Scott Stevens (1982 NHL Entry Draft, 1st Round, 5th Overall)

Toronto’s Draft Pick: 1st Round, 3rd Overall (Gary Nylund)

Back to the 1982 NHL Entry Draft we go. The Leafs selection of Gary Nylund should continue to haunt them.

By selection Nylund, the Leafs not only missed out on Phil Housley but on Scott Stevens as well.

Stevens is best known for his bone-crunching hits in the ‘trolley-tracks’, most notably against Eric Lindros and Paul Kariya, but he was more gifted than that. Stevens’ offense was also very impressive.

For his era, he was the perfect defenseman. He could fight, hit and score, whereas in today’s NHL, the latter is typically the most important part.

After being drafted by Washington, Stevens will always be remembered for his time with the New Jersey Devils. Stevens’ best offensive year came in New Jersey when he scored 18 goals and had 78 points.

Although he would never win a Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman, that was one of two seasons where he would finish runner-up.

Stevens won three Stanley Cups during his time in New Jersey, most notably winning the Conn Smythe Award during their win in 2000.

Stevens could have been a staple on the Leafs blue-line for years, but unfortunately he was just another selection that Leafs passed on in the NHL Entry Draft.

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