#1. Auston Matthews
2016 NHL Entry Draft: 1st Overall
The 2015-16 season was actually more enjoyable than expected, despite the Leafs finishing 30th in the NHL.
The reason this is, is because there was a light at the end of the tunnel. By finishing 30th overall, it meant the Leafs had the best chance (20 percent) at winning the number-one overall pick.
On April 30th, 2016 around 8:15PM it happened: The Leafs actually won the NHL Draft Lottery!
With that number-one selection and NHL Draft Lottery win, the entire state of the Toronto Maple Leafs franchised changed all because of one player and Mark Hunter had the privilege of announcing that pick at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft:
“Toronto is proud to announce from Zurich Men’s League Switzerland, from the US Program: Auston Matthews”
And just like that, the Maple Leafs have now made the playoffs in four consecutive seasons after never making the playoffs in a full 82-game schedule since 2004.
As we celebrated “Auston Matthews Day” a few days ago, Matthews has turned into the best pure-goal scorer in the NHL and will be a Hart Trophy candidate for years to come.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs are ever able to win a Stanley Cup again, it’ll be on the back of Matthews, as his goal-scoring ability is second-to-none.
Sometimes the NHL Draft Lottery works in your favourite team’s favor and sometimes it doesn’t, but for this selection, it’s the best thing that has ever happened to the Toronto Maple Leafs.