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Comparing Toronto Maple Leafs to Past 10 Stanley Cup Champions

By Stephen Nixon

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0 to win the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0 to win the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 7: Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 7: Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

#3. Robin

The “Robin” category is critical. This player will never be Batman and could never a lead a team to a Stanley Cup by themselves, but they’re crucial to team success.

This individual is never going to get the credit they deserve throughout the Stanley Cup run, but without them, the team never would have won in the first place.

  • 2018-19: Vladimir Tarasenko
  • 2017-18: Nicklas Backstrom
  • 2016-17: Evegni Malkin
  • 2015-16: Phil Kessel
  • 2014-15: Marian Hossa
  • 2013-14: Jeff Carter
  • 2012-13: Patrick Sharp
  • 2011-12: Justin Williams
  • 2010-11: Milan Lucic
  • 2009-10: Patrick Sharp

Each one of these names are special NHL talents but they’re not good enough to carry a team themselves. As the best player on a team, they have the capability to get their team into the playoffs but they won’t be able to win a Stanley Cup on their own, so being “Robin” is a great place for them.

Toronto’s Robin: Mitch Marner

Marner is an exceptional talent but on a team by himself, he’s not going to win a Stanley Cup. He most likely wouldn’t end up being the Conn Smythe Trophy winner on a Leafs championship team, but would be a key piece in team success.

#4. Veteran Who’s Never Won

In order to win a Stanley Cup, every team needs a veteran to rally behind. Although it may not be a storybook ending like Ray Bourque’s swan-song in the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals, every team needs that one aging player who’s never won a championship.

  • 2018-19: Jay Bouwmeester
  • 2017-18: Alex Ovechkin
  • 2016-17: Ron Hainsey
  • 2015-16: Trevor Daley
  • 2014-15: Kimmo Timonen
  • 2013-14: Marian Gaborik
  • 2012-13: Michal Handzus
  • 2011-12: Willie Mitchell
  • 2010-11: Tomas Kaberle
  • 2009-10: Brian Campbell

Each team may have more than one veteran who hasn’t won a Cup but these are the most marquee players on each team who each winner rallied around.

Whenever a team wins a Stanley Cup, there’s no better feeling than seeing one of the superstar talents pass the cup to a veteran because the joy on their face makes them look like a six-year-old who got their first puppy.

Toronto’s Veteran: Jason Spezza

The Leafs once again check a crucial box towards a championship. Not only is Spezza an aging veteran without a ring, but he’s a Toronto-kid which would make it even more special.

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