The Most Effective Toronto Maple Leafs Playoff Lineup of All-Time

As the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs play on with the rosters that deserve to be there, the Toronto Maple Leafs remain on the outside looking in.

Clearly not doing enough to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets through their play-in series, the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for a longer offseason than the organization was anticipating.

Failing to showcase the type of play that fans have experienced through the past few regular seasons, their stars just didn’t show up through their Stanely Cup Qualifiers. And it was obvious.

Toronto won’t be playing anymore in this post-season, but that doesn’t mean we can’t reminisce on times that they experienced greater playoff success and the players that lead them there.

A Dry Spell for Decades

Everyone knows that the Maple Leafs franchise hasn’t achieved a Stanley Cup since 1967. Fans experience it at their core, while the rest of the hockey world reminds them every chance they get.

Many would argue that they should have won it in 1993, had they not been robbed of the opportunity to move on and through the Western Conference Finals.

However, even with an active streak of over 50 years without a championship, Toronto has seen some impressive playoff performances come out of remarkable battles towards the ultimate prize.

Of course, not every bout of production concluded with hoisting a Cup. That said, some that top Toronto’s list in post-season success may surprise you. They aren’t necessarily the legends you might expect.

If the current team shared some of the skillset, drive, and perseverance of these all-stars, perhaps they would have earned a better fate than the one that already has them away from the rink.

Efficiency Over Everything

It’s one thing to rack up points when you have a large sample size of games to do so, but there’s a whole other level of appreciation for those who found ways to perform and produce consistently.

This will not be a debate about total goals and assists. The focus here is on points per game, to highlight the players that effectively managed their job with every chance they were given.

Let’s take a look at the players that lead the way for the Maple Leafs when it comes to personal post-season production, with each having played at least 20 games.

Here is Toronto’s most efficient playoff performing roster of all time, with the leader at each position taking their rightful spot in the starting lineup.

C – Doug Gilmour  (1.48 P/GP)

Playing in only 52 total playoff games with the Maple Leafs, including their infamously shortened 1993 Stanley Cup run, Doug Gilmour still manages to hold the title as the top producer in franchise history with 77 points.

He never did win a Cup with Toronto. Gilmour accumulated 17 goals and 60 assists through four playoff runs with the Maple Leafs. Earning almost 1.5 points per game, he’s also their most efficient of all-time.

RW – Gary Leeman (0.86 P/GP)

Gary Leeman isn’t necessarily a household name amidst today’s Toronto fanbase. However, part of some less than stellar 1980s Maple Leafs rosters, his contributions are worthy of recognition.

In five post-season appearances with the team, through 24 games, Leeman earned 7 goals and 14 assists for 21 total points. Interestingly, he went on to win the 1993 Stanley Cup the year after leaving the Leafs.

LW – Gary Roberts (0.80 P/GP)

In only four years with the Maple Leafs through the 2000s, Gary Roberts made a lasting impact as an immediate fan favourite. His work ethic was unmatched and he brought that energy into the playoffs, making it to the tournament every year he was there.

His one Stanley Cup came more than a decade before joining Toronto. Roberts accumulated 40 points through 50 playoff games played with the Leafs, consisting of 14 goals and 26 assists.

RD – Dmitri Mironov (0.55 P/GP)

A member of some powerhouse lineups of the early 1990s, Dmitri Mironov made sure to get himself into position and on the scoresheet whenever possible. With players like Gilmour to pass to, it certainly made that a little easier.

Through three playoff runs with Toronto, Mironov tallied 9 goals, 12 assists, and 21 points in 38 games. He went on to win the Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 1998.

LD – Ian Turnbull (0.82 P/GP)

In his 10 year NHL career, between 1973-1983, Ian Turnbull made it into the post-season eight times. Each of which was as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Participating in 55 playoff games, on Toronto teams that never made it too far throughout any attempt he was involved with, Turnbull racked up 13 goals along with 32 assists, for a total of 45 points.

G – Turk Broda

No successful Stanley Cup run is complete without a goaltender to steal the show. Turk Broda was no stranger to playoff hockey throughout his 14-year career. He won five Stanley Cups through 13 post-season appearances, all as part of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.

Broda leads the franchise in a number of categories, including playoff games played (101), wins (60), and shutouts (13). It will take any goalie of Toronto’s present (or future) a lot to come close to what Broda helped them achieve.

Reflecting back on the type of success that’s been necessary through deeper playoff runs than this current Toronto roster is used to, it becomes apparent what this lineup is lacking.

These were all players that showed up to perform, ready to work, with every opportunity they were given.

If the Toronto Maple Leafs had any of this type of consistency through their 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers, their post-season would have lasted longer than it did. Their compete level just isn’t yet where it needs to be. How much longer will fans have to wait?