Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltenders of All-Time

Over the course of their deep history spanning over 100 years, the Toronto Maple Leafs have had many legends in net.

Obviously there are a lot of Toronto Maple Leafs goaltenders I haven’t watched over the course of their history, so this is more of a statistical analysis than an opinion piece.

While compiling this list, the things I considered the most were honours presented to the players by the  Leafs, awards received by the players from the NHL while playing for the  Leafs, and where the players ranked in NHL stats each season.

When it comes to stats, I’m looking mostly at save percentage in individual seasons and then goals against average.  I feel wins and loses are more of a team based stat than a goaltending stat.  Overall career stats can vary greatly depending on the era each player played, so I’m comparing goalies with players from their era instead of against players from different eras.

I’m also strictly looking at seasons that the players played on the Leafs.   It doesn’t matter what they did before or after they were with the Leafs.  I’m also only looking at stats where the goaltender played at least 31.25% of the games in the season since I’m using stats from hockey-reference.com and that’s how they do it.

Here are a few things to note when looking at these goalies:

The Vezina trophy was first awarded in 1927 and was originally given to the goaltender who played the most games for the team with the lowest amount of goals against.  In 1982, the rules changed and the Vezina was awarded to the NHL’s most outstanding goalie via vote and the William M Jennings trophy was adopted to be given for fewest goals against.

Since the Jennings isn’t really considered a major award today, I’m not putting too much weight into Vezina wins before 1982.  Hart trophy voting has been around since 1924 and 1st All-Star Team and 2nd All-Star Team voting has been taking place since 1931, and I feel a vote holds more weight than goals against since goals against depends a lot on team defense rather than just the goalie.

Shots weren’t counted in the NHL until 1955-56 season, so save percentage wasn’t a recorded stat until then.

Let’s start with some honourable mentions:

Honourable Mentions for Top Toronto Maple Leafs Goalies of All Time

Paul Bibeault 1943-44
2nd Team All-Star 1944
Ranked #2 in NHL GAA 1943-44 (3.00)

Bruce Gamble 1965-1971
Played in 1968 NHL All-Star Game
2nd Best Single Season SV% in  Leafs History (.934 in 1967-68)
7th Best Single Season SV% in NHL History (.934 in 1967-68)
7th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career SV% in History (.914)
Ranked #1 in NHL SV% 1967-68 (.934)
Ranked #6 in NHL SV% 1968-69 (.914)
Ranked #9 in NHL SV% 1969-70 (.915)
Ranked #4 in NHL GAA 1967-68 (2.32)
Ranked #8 in NHL GAA 1968-69 (2.81)

Frederik Andersen 2016-2021
4th in Vezina Trophy voting 2018
10th in Vezina Trophy voting 2019
7th in Team All-Star voting 2019
11th in Team All-Star voting 2018
12th in Team All-Star voting 2020
Played in 2020 NHL All-Star Game
7th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career SV% in History (.914)

John Roach 1921-28
Stanley Cup Champion 1922
Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career GAA in History (2.01)
6th Best Single Season GAA in Toronto Maple Leafs History (1.98 in 1927-28)
8th Best Single Season GAA in Toronto Maple Leafs History (2.04 in 1926-27)
Ranked #3 in NHL GAA 1921-22 (4.07)
Ranked #3 in NHL GAA 1922-23 (3.59)
Ranked #4 in NHL GAA 1923-24 (3.48)
Ranked #5 in NHL GAA 1924-25 (2.80)

Doug Favell 1973-74
Ranked #4 in NHL SV% 1973-74 (.909)
Ranked #3 in NHL GAA 1973-74 (2.71)

Ed Chadwick 1955-60
2nd in Calder Memorial Trophy voting 1957
Ranked #4 in NHL SV% 1958-59 (.905)
Ranked #4 in NHL GAA 1958-59 (2.97)
Ranked #5 in NHL GAA 1956-57 (2.66)

Don Simmons 1961-64
Ranked #1 in NHL GAA 1962-63 (2.47)

Frank McCool 1944-1946
Calder Memorial Trophy Winner 1945
Stanley Cup Champion 1945
Ranked #3 in NHL GAA 1944-45 (3.22)

Lorne Chabot 1928-33
Stanley Cup Champion 1932
Best Single Season GAA in Toronto Maple Leafs History (1.52 in 1928-29)
9th Best Single Season GAA in Toronto Maple Leafs History (2.09 in 1930-31)
16th Best Single Season GAA in NHL History (1.52 in 1928-29)
4th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career GAA in History (2.16)
Ranked #5 in NHL GAA 1929-30 (2.54)

James Reimer 2010-16
23rd in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 2013
15th in Calder Memorial Trophy voting 2011
22nd in Lady Byng Memorial Trophy voting 2011
7th in Team All-Star voting 2013
7th Best Single Season SV% in Toronto Maple Leafs History (.924 in 2013-14)
8th Best Single Season SV% in Toronto Maple Leafs History (.922 in 2015-16)
13th Best Single Season SV% in Toronto Maple Leafs History (.921 in 2010-11)
7th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career SV% in History (.914)
Ranked #7 in NHL SV% 2015‑16 (.922)
Ranked #8 in NHL SV% 2012‑13 (.924)

Get ready for your Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Goalies of All Time!

Terry Sawchuk on the Toronto Maple Leafs (1964-1967)

Honours & Hardware
Vezina Trophy Winner 1965
Stanley Cup Champion 1967
Played in the 1964 NHL All-Star Game
Hall of Fame Inductee

Best Seasons on the Toronto Maple Leafs
1964-65: Ranked #4 in NHL SV% (.915) and #5 in NHL GAA (2.56)
1966-67: Ranked #5 in NHL SV% (.917)

Toronto Maple Leafs Career
10th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career SV% in History (.912)
20th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career GAA in History (2.81)

Terry Sawchuk in an NHL legend.  He had won three Stanley Cups and three Vezina Trophies with the Detroit Red Wings before coming to Toronto.  While on the Toronto Maple Leafs, he split games with Johnny Bower, who was a legend in his own right.

Sawchuk and Bower shared the Vezina in 1965 as the Toronto Maple Leafs had the fewest goals against that season and they shared the crease pretty evenly (36 games for Sawchuk, 34 games for Bower).

During the 1967 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Terry Sawchuk played 10 of Toronto’s 14 games to win his fourth Stanley Cup.

I would’ve ranked Terry Sawchuk higher on this list, but during his time in Toronto he split seasons with Johnny Bower and Bower had the better numbers.  Bower had better stats when they shared the Vezina and during their Stanley Cup run.

#9 is the purrfect position for this former Toronto Maple Leafs goalie with nine lives:

Felix Potvin on the Toronto Maple Leafs (1991-99)

Honours & Hardware
1993 All-Rookie Team
Played in the 1994 NHL All-Star Game
Played in the 1996 NHL All-Star Game
4th in Vezina Trophy voting 1993
3rd in Calder Memorial Trophy voting 1993
3rd in Team All-Star voting 1993

Best Seasons on the Toronto Maple Leafs
1992-93: Ranked #2 in NHL SV% (.910) and #1 in NHL GAA (2.50)
1993-94: Ranked #10 in NHL SV% (.907)
1995-96: Ranked #9 in NHL SV% (.910)

Toronto Maple Leafs Career
15th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career SV% in History (.908)
23rd Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career GAA in History (2.87)

Felix “The Cat” Potvin was one of my childhood heroes and it feel amazing putting him on this list.  I was just getting into watching the Toronto Maple Leafs during his fantastic rookie campaign in 1992-93, and I remember throwing a rubber ball against the wall and making wicked glove saves when it bounced back while watching The Cat play.

I didn’t realize until now how close he was to being announced as a Vezina Trophy nominee that season.  He may have taken the trophy if he had played more than 48 games that season.  He had better stats than Ed Belfour, who ended up winning the trophy, but 48 games probably wasn’t enough of a sample size.

Speak of The Eagle and he shall appear…

Ed Belfour on the Toronto Maple Leafs (2002-2006)

Honours & Hardware
10th in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 2004
15th in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 2003
3rd in Vezina Trophy voting 2003
7th in Vezina Trophy voting 2004
3rd in Team All-Star voting 2003
5th in Team All-Star voting 2004
Hall of Fame Inductee

Best Season on the Toronto Maple Leafs
2002-03: Ranked #5 in NHL SV% (.922) and #10 in NHL GAA (2.26)

Toronto Maple Leafs Career
10th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career SV% in History (.912)
11th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career GAA in History (2.51)

Before he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ed Belfour won two Vezina trophies, four Jennings trophies and the Calder trophy.  He was named to the All-Rookie Team, was a First Team All-Star twice and a Second Team All-Star once.

“Eddie the Eagle” was also nominated for the Hart Memorial trophy as a rookie in 1991 while playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Let’s keep rollin’ along here with #7:

Mike Palmateer on the Toronto Maple Leafs (1976-1980 & 1982-84)

Honours & Hardware
5th in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 1979
3rd in Team All-Star voting 1979
7th in Team All-Star voting 1978
8th in Team All-Star voting 1977
9th in Team All-Star voting 1983
5th in Calder Trophy voting 1977

Best Seasons on the Toronto Maple Leafs
1978-79: Ranked #3 in NHL SV% (.909)
1977-78: Ranked #4 in NHL SV% (.911)
1976-77: Ranked #7 in NHL SV% (.904)

Toronto Maple Leafs Career
29th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career SV% in History (.892)
41st Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career GAA in History (3.44)

Mike Palmateer’s career statistics may not look that great but he was one of the top goaltenders of his era.  Not many goalies can say they were in the top 5 for Hart trophy voting.

His best seasons came before the Vezina trophy was awarded by a vote.  If the vote had started earlier, he may have at least been a nominee.

This next goalie may have had the best season of any goaltender ever in NHL history and it was as a member of the Maple Leafs:

Jacques Plante on the Toronto Maple Leafs (1970-1973)

Honours & Hardware
2nd Team All-Star 1971
5th in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 1971
Hall of Fame Inductee

Best Seasons on the Toronto Maple Leafs
1970-71: Ranked #1 in NHL SV% (.944) and #1 in NHL GAA (1.89)
NHL Record for Best Single Season SV%
4th Best Single Season GAA in Toronto Maple Leafs History

1972-73: Ranked #5 in NHL SV% (.911) and #7 in NHL GAA (2.82)
1971-72: Ranked #6 in NHL SV% (.917) and #9 in NHL GAA (2.63)

Toronto Maple Leafs Career
Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career SV% in History (.925)
8th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career GAA in History (2.46)

Jacques Plante has the NHL record for winning the most Vezina trophies with seven Vezinas which were all won while he played for the Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues before he was on the Maple Leafs.  He also won six Stanley Cups and a Hart trophy while with the Canadiens.

While with the Maple Leafs though, he set an NHL record for Best Single Season Save Percentage (playing at least 25 games) with a .944 in 1970-71.  That beat his own record of .940 set in 1968-69 while with the St. Louis Blues.

On this list we’ve seen The Cat, but now it’s time to see the dog:

Curtis Joseph on the Toronto Maple Leafs (1998-2002 & 2008-09)

Honours & Hardware
King Clancy Memorial Trophy Winner 2000
4th in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 1999
11th in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 2000
2nd in Vezina Trophy voting 1999
3rd in Vezina Trophy voting 2000
8th in Vezina Trophy voting 2001
10th in Vezina Trophy voting 2002
4th in Team All-Star voting 1999
5th in Team All-Star voting 2000
Played in 2000 NHL All-Star Game

Best Season on the Toronto Maple Leafs
1999-2000: Ranked #7 in NHL SV% (9.15)

Toronto Maple Leafs Career
12th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career SV% in History (.910)
9th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career GAA in History (2.49)

Curtis “CuJo” Joseph never won a Vezina Trophy, but he was top five in voting five times in his career.  He has the seventh most career goaltending wins in NHL history and may be the greatest eligible goalie to not be in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Next up we have a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee who had their best seasons as a member of the Maple Leafs:

Harry Lumley on the Toronto Maple Leafs (1952-1956)

Honours & Hardware
Vezina Trophy Winner 1954
1st Team All-Star 1954
1st Team All-Star 1955
2nd in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 1955
5th in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 1954
Played in 1954 NHL All-Star Game
Played in 1955 NHL All-Star Game
Hall of Fame Inductee

Best Seasons on the Toronto Maple Leafs
1953-54: Ranked #1 in NHL GAA (1.86)
3rd Best Single Season GAA in Toronto Maple Leafs History
45th Best Single Season GAA in NHL History

1954-55: Ranked #1 in NHL GAA (1.91)
5th Best Single Season GAA in Toronto Maple Leafs History

1952-53: Ranked #3 in NHL GAA (2.34)
1955-56: Ranked #4 in NHL GAA (2.67)

Toronto Maple Leafs Career
5th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career GAA in History (2.18)

Harry Lumley won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 1950 but had his best seasons statistically with the Maple Leafs.

He won a Vezina with the Maple Leafs in 1954, but had there been a vote, he most likely would’ve won another in 1955 since he was voted as the goalie for the Fist All-Star Team and was second in Hart Trophy voting.

Next is a legendary goaltender who spend his entire 14 season career with the Maple Leafs:

Turk Broda on the Toronto Maple Leafs (1936-1952)

Honours & Hardware
Vezina Trophy Winner 1941
Vezina Trophy Winner 1948
1st Team All-Star 1941
1st Team All-Star 1948
2nd Team All-Star 1942
Stanley Cup Champion 1942
Stanley Cup Champion 1947
Stanley Cup Champion 1948
Stanley Cup Champion 1949
Stanley Cup Champion 1951
4th in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 1947
9th in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 1950
Played in 1947 NHL All-Star Game
Played in 1948 NHL All-Star Game
Played in 1949 NHL All-Star Game
Played in 1950 NHL All-Star Game
Hall of Fame Inductee
Number “1” Retired by Toronto Maple Leafs
Statue on the Toronto Maple Leafs Legends Row

Best Seasons on the Toronto Maple Leafs
1940-41: Ranked #1 in NHL GAA (2.00)
7th Best Single Season GAA in Toronto Maple Leafs History

1947-48: Ranked #1 in NHL GAA (2.38)
1941-42: Ranked #2 in NHL GAA (2.76)
1942-43: Ranked #2 in NHL GAA (3.18)
1946-47: Ranked #2 in NHL GAA (2.87)
1938-39: Ranked #3 in NHL GAA (2.15)
1948-49: Ranked #3 in NHL GAA (2.68)
1949-50: Ranked #3 in NHL GAA (2.47)
1950-51: Ranked #3 in NHL GAA (2.23)
1939-40: Ranked #4 in NHL GAA (2.23)
1937-38: Ranked #5 in NHL GAA (2.56)

Toronto Maple Leafs Career
12th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career GAA in History (2.53)

Turk Broda is one of only two goaltenders to have their number retired my the Maple Leafs and one of only two goaltenders to have a statue on Legends Row in Toronto.

His five Stanley Cups tie him with Ted Kennedy and Don Metz as the most won as a member of the Maple Leafs.

Turk Broda was an amazing goaltender, but on the list there can be only one #1:

Johnny Bower on the Toronto Maple Leafs (1958-1970)

Honours & Hardware
Vezina Trophy Winner 1961
Vezina Trophy Winner 1965
1st Team All-Star 1961
Stanley Cup Champion 1962
Stanley Cup Champion 1963
Stanley Cup Champion 1964
Stanley Cup Champion 1967
2nd in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 1961
7th in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 1962
7th in Hart Memorial Trophy voting 1964
Played in 1961 NHL All-Star Game
Played in 1962 NHL All-Star Game
Played in 1963 NHL All-Star Game
Played in 1964 NHL All-Star Game
Hall of Fame Inductee
Number “1” Retired by Toronto Maple Leafs
Statue on the Toronto Maple Leafs Legends Row

Best Seasons on the Toronto Maple Leafs
1967-68: Ranked #1 in NHL SV% (.934) and #2 in NHL GAA (2.26)
2nd Best Single Season SV% in Toronto Maple Leafs History
7th Best Single Season SV% in NHL History

1963-64: Ranked #1 in NHL SV% (.932) and #1 in NHL GAA (2.11)
4th Best Single Season SV% in Toronto Maple Leafs History
17th Best Single Season SV% in NHL History
10th Best Single Season GAA in Toronto Maple Leafs History

1965-66: Ranked #1 in NHL SV% (.930) and #1 in NHL GAA (2.26)
5th Best Single Season SV% in Toronto Maple Leafs History
29th Best Single Season SV% in NHL History

1959-60: Ranked #1 in NHL SV% (.919) and #4 in NHL GAA (2.69)
1960-61: Ranked #1 in NHL SV% (.923) and #2 in NHL GAA (2.50)
1964-65: Ranked #1 in NHL SV% (.924) and #1 in NHL GAA (2.38)
1966-67: Ranked #1 in NHL SV% (.925) and #5 in NHL GAA (2.65)
1958-59: Ranked #2 in NHL SV% (.914) and #2 in NHL GAA (2.72)
1961-62: Ranked #2 in NHL SV% (.917) and #2 in NHL GAA (2.56)
1962-63: Ranked #3 in NHL SV% (.912) and #5 in NHL GAA (2.60)
1953-54: Ranked #4 in NHL GAA (2.54)

Toronto Maple Leafs Career
4th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career SV% in History (.922)
10th Best Toronto Maple Leafs Career GAA in History (2.50)

Johnny Bower led the NHL in save percentage an astounding seven times.  He also has the second best career save percentage in NHL history behind only Dominik Hasek.

He’s one of the best goaltenders of all-time and played in an era that included legendary goaltenders Jacques Plante, Glenn Hall and Terry Sawchuk.  Bower didn’t win as many Vezinas or get as many all-star votes, but his stats don’t lie.

It’s also worth noting that he didn’t join with the Toronto Maple Leafs until the age of 33 and didn’t retire until he was 46.