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Top 5 Toronto Maple Leafs Draft Picks of All-Time

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a shot on goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period at BB&T Center on February 27, 2020 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a shot on goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period at BB&T Center on February 27, 2020 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, CANADA – JANUARY 22: Tomas Kaberle #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA – JANUARY 22: Tomas Kaberle #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images) /

5) Tomas Kaberle

Drafted 204th overall in the 1996 NHL Draft

First up on the countdown is Tomas Kaberle, one of the best defensemen to ever grace a Maple Leafs sweater. Drafted in the eighth round of the 1996 draft back when drafts exceeded seven rounds, nobody expected Kaberle to reach the heights he did for Toronto.

After finally joining the Leafs during the 1998-99 season, Kaberle quickly proved to be one of the Leafs’ best draft steals of all time, becoming an All-Star in 2002 and also playing in the Olympics that same year.

Kaberle spent most of his long career with the Maple Leafs, being known best for his strong two-way game. He was excellent in the offensive end, putting up a career-high of 67 points during the 2005-06 campaign, while he also maintained a strong defensive presence on the blue line.

His stint with the Leafs ultimately ended in 2011, when he was traded to the Boston Bruins. Fortunately for Kaberle, he was able to win his only Stanley Cup with Boston that year.

Afterwards, he spent a couple more seasons bouncing between the Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes before ultimately retiring from hockey in 2016.

Totalling 83 goals, 437 assists for 520 points in 878 games during his career with the Leafs, Kaberle has cemented himself as a Leafs all-time great and one of Toronto’s greatest draft picks of all-time.

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