The Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Defensemen of All-Time

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been graced with a ton of phenomenal defensemen over the course of their history spanning over 100 years.

It’s shocking to realize that since the introduction of the James Norris Memorial trophy in 1954, which is awarded to the NHL’s best defenseman each season, not a single player has been honoured with the award as a member of Toronto Maple Leafs.

Some Leafs have been close though.  Four players were runner-up in Norris trophy voting as members of the Toronto Maple Leafs and you’ll see them all in this top 10 list along with some Hall of Fame defensemen who played in an era before the Norris trophy was in existence.

There is even a defenseman who is one of only two players to win the Hart Memorial trophy as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.   You’ll see him on the list, but the other former Leaf to take home the Hart was centre, Ted Kennedy.

Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Defensemen of All-Time

Now, I’m not over 100 years old, so I haven’t watched every Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman play.  This list was mostly created based on honours and recognition given to the players by the NHL, qualified hockey historians and the Toronto Maple Leafs organization themselves.

I’m also basing everything on player achievements while with the Toronto Maple Leafs and not career achievements, so while players like Brian Leetch, Phil Housley, Larry Murphy… had great careers, they aren’t on this list because they didn’t do enough while with the Leafs.

I used vote-based analytics instead of stats as much as possible because there is a lot more to being a defenseman than putting up points.  When possible I used trophy or all-star voting positions to rank the players among their peers.

For the Toronto Maple Leafs centennial season in 2016, the organization selected a committee to comprise a list of the Top 100 players in Toronto Maple Leafs history which was also helpful in compiling this list. (stats quanthockey.com).

Let’s begin with some honourable mentions:

Toronto Maple Leafs – Honourable Mentions

Tomas Kaberle (1998-2011)
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #37
Played in Four NHL All-Star Games
Top 10 in NHL Assists once
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defensemen for six seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defensemen for five seasons
5th Most Career Assists in Toronto Maple Leafs History (437)
4th Most Career Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (83)
2nd Most Career Assists by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (437)
2nd Most Career Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (520)
35th Most Career Assists by a Defenseman in NHL History (476)

Jimmy Thomson (1945-1957)
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #40
2nd NHL All-Star Team 1951, 1952
Played in Seven NHL All-Star Games
Toronto Maple Leafs Captain 1956-1957
Four Stanley Cup Championships
Led NHL Defensemen in Assists three times
Led NHL Defensemen in Points 1950-1951
Top 10 in NHL Assists twice
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defensemen for one season
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defensemen for eight seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defensemen for six seasons
9th Most Career Assists by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (208)

Ian Turnbull (1973-1981)
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #42
7th in NHL All-Star team voting 1977
Played in 1977 NHL All-Star Game
NHL Record for Most Goals in One Game by a Defenseman (5)
Top 10 in NHL Assists once
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defensemen for 4 seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defensemen for 4 seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defensemen for 5 seasons
Most Single Season Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (22)
Most Single Season Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (79)
2nd Most Career Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (112)
4th Most Career Assists by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (302)
4th Most Career Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (414)

Gus Mortson (1946-1952)
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #56
1st NHL All-Star Team 1950
Played in Five NHL All-Star Games
Four Stanley Cup Championships
Led NHL in Penalty Minutes four times
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defensemen for two seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defensemen for two seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defensemen for four seasons

Bryan McCabe (2000-2008)
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #63
2nd NHL All-Star Team 2004
4th in Norris trophy voting 2004
9th in Norris trophy voting 2006
9th in NHL All-Star Team voting 2006
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defensemen for four seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defensemen for three seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defensemen for three seasons
4th Most Career Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (83)
7th Most Career Assists by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (214)
7th Most Career Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (297)
48th Most Career Goals by a Defenseman in NHL History (145)

Wally Stanowski (1939-1948)
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #66
1st NHL All-Star Team 1941
Calder Trophy Runner-Up 1940
Played in 1947 NHL All-Star Game
Four Stanley Cup Championships
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defensemen for one season
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defensemen for three seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defensemen for two seasons

Harry Cameron (1917-1923)
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #77
Two Stanley Cup Championships
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
Led NHL in Assists twice
Led NHL Defensemen in Goals five times
Led NHL Defensemen in Assists three times
Led NHL Defensemen in Points four times
Top 10 in NHL Goals for four seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists for four seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points for four seasons
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defensemen for six seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defensemen for six seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defensemen for six seasons

Morgan Rielly (2013-present)
5th in Norris trophy voting 2019
5th in NHL All-Star Team voting 2019
Led NHL Defensemen in Goals 2019
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defensemen for one season
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defensemen for three seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defensemen for one season
9th Most Career Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (63)
5th Most Career Assists by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (268)
5th Most Career Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (331)

Al Iafrate (1984-1991)
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #78
6th in Norris Trophy voting 1990
6th in NHL All-Star Team voting 1990
Played in Two NHL All-Star Games
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defensemen for two seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defensemen for one season
Most Single Season Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (22)
6th Most Career Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (81)
9th Most Career Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (250)
39th Most Career Goals by a Defenseman in NHL History (152)

Jim McKenny (1965-1978)
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #80
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defensemen for four seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defensemen for three seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defensemen for three seasons
6th Most Career Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (81)
6th Most Career Assists by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (246)

…and now your Top 10:

#10. Bill Barilko – Toronto Maple Leafs 1946-1951

“Bill Barilko disappeared that summer.  He was on a fishing trip.  The last goal he ever scored won the Leafs the cup.  They didn’t win another till nineteen sixty two, the year he was discovered.”
– Fifty Mission Cap by the Tragically Hip

They are lyrics almost every Canadian knows, and they will forever remind us of the legendary Bill Barilko.  Despite only playing five NHL seasons, he was a major part of four Stanley Cup Championships with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Bill Barilko was known as a top two-way talent and a goal scoring defenseman during his short NHL career and played in three NHL All-Star Games.

The tragic tale of Bill Barilko seemed lost on a younger generation of Toronto Maple Leafs fans until the legendary Canadian band, the Tragically Hip, performed their song “Fifty Mission Cap” for the very first time during a concert at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on December 16th, 1991.

The Tragically Hip inspire the Toronto Maple Leafs

“Fifty Mission Cap,” which describes the mysterious vanishing of Bill Barilko and his legendary Stanley Cup winning overtime goal, was credited for reviving Barilko’s memory to the point where the Toronto Maple Leafs organization felt the necessity to retire his number on October 17th, 1992.

The song was later recorded and released on the Tragically Hip’s third studio album, Fully Completely, in October 1992 and was released as the album’s second single on January 1st, 1993.  “Fifty Mission Cap” remains a staple song during warm-ups at Toronto Maple Leafs home games.

Barilko’s banner remained in place during Tragically Hip shows at Maple Leaf Gardens and the Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena) and was displayed during a tribute to Tragically Hip lead singer, Gord Downie, after his tragic death on October 17th, 2017.

Bill Barilko’s #5 was the second number to ever be retired by the Toronto Maple Leafs, though Barilko only wore the number for his final season with the team.  The first number to be retired in sports history was Ace Bailey’s #6 by the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 14th, 1934.

Achievements with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Number Retired by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #36
Played in Three NHL All-Star Games
Four Stanley Cup Championships
Led NHL in Penalty Minutes 1947-48
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defensemen for four seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defensemen for one season
“The last goal he ever scored won the Leafs the Cup”

#9. Bob Baun – Toronto Maple Leafs 1956-1967, 1970-1973

Bobby Baun began and ended his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs while playing stints with the Oakland Seals and Detroit Red Wings in between.

Baun had a little offensive flair, but he was prominently known as a premiere defensive specialist and was feared for delivering some of the hardest hits in the game.  Bobby Baun’s style of play made him a fan favourite in Toronto.

In 2020, TSN created “The All-Time 7” which were all-time rosters for all seven Canadian NHL teams.  Each team had to have a shutdown pair on defense, and Baun was voted onto that pairing to represent one of the two best defensive defensemen in Toronto Maple Leafs history.

Bobby Baun’s biggest offensive moment came during game six of the 1964 Stanley Cup final versus the Detroit Red Wings where he scored the overtime game winning goal with a broken ankle.  The Toronto Maple Leafs would go on to defeat the Red Wings in game seven for their third consecutive Stanley Cup victory.

Bobby Baun’s triumphant return to the Toronto Maple Leafs

After being drafted in the 1967 expansion draft by the Oakland Seals (the last place team in the NHL), Baun requested a trade to an original six team after one season with the Seals.

Bob Baun was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, but after a falling out with the coach 11 games into his third season in Detroit, Baun was placed on waivers, claimed by the Buffalo Sabres and promptly traded to the St. Louis Blues before playing a single game with Buffalo.

Baun refused to play for the Blues and was traded back to the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Despite all the moves that year, the 1970-71 season may have been the best season of Bobby Baun’s career as he has been credited as a major factor in helping Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender, Jacque Plante, accomplish his NHL record setting 1.88 goals against average that season.

Bobby Baun: the Toronto Maple Leafs Legendary Trailblazing Rebel

Bob Baun hasn’t been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and there is speculation that it is for political reasons.  As a player, Baun familiarized himself with the business side of hockey before there was a player’s union and was often asked for advice by other players regarding their contracts and salaries.

In 1965, Bobby Baun held out for a new contract and was eventually given a raise but tarnished his reputation with Toronto Maple Leafs GM, Punch Imlach in the process. It’s been said to be the reason why Baun was left unprotected during the 1967 expansion draft.

In the 1980’s, after Baun’s NHL career, he former an NHL alumni association to investigate player pensions.  Though Baun played 17 NHL seasons, his pension was a mere $7,622 a year.  Baun didn’t have much luck changing the NHL pension plan, but he inspired another former Leafs defenseman to pick up the torch.  (We’ll get to him later at #7).

Contract negotiations and the NHLPA are now a part of hockey, but at the time, Baun’s actions were frowned upon by the NHL and that may be the reason why he hadn’t gotten his call to the Hall of Fame.  Baun was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in 2007 for his efforts.

Though time has passed and the current HHoF selection committee may not be familiar with Baun’s contributions as stats may not reflect his specific talents, hopefully he will still get his call to the Hall not only as a player but as a trailblazer fighting for the rights of NHL players and alumni.

Achievements with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #30
6th in Hart Trophy voting 1971
5th in Norris Trophy voting 1971
8th in Norris Trophy voting 1965
Played in Four NHL All-Star Games
Four Stanley Cup Championships
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defenseman for two seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defenseman for one season

#8. Red Horner – Toronto Maple Leafs 1928-1940

George Reginald Horner played his entire hockey career in Toronto playing 12 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs after playing with the Toronto Marlboros in the OHA-Jr and OHA-Sr (now the OHL).  He was the Toronto Maple Leafs captain during his final NHL seasons in 1938-39 and 1939-40.

Red Horner’s induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1965 may be one of the most controversial inductions in hockey history as Horner was primarily known as an enforcer and regarded as only the third best defensemen on his team during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Horner holds an NHL record for the leading the league in penalty minutes for a sensational seven seasons.  To put that into perspective, the next highest penalty minute season leaders  (Dave Schultz and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman, Gus Morston) only led for four seasons.  Even legendary enforcers Bob Probert and Tie Domi only led the league for one season each.

Perhaps Horner’s most famous altercation occurred on when Eddie Shore of the Boston Bruins hit Leafs Legend Ace Bailey from behind causing his skull to fracture when his head hit the ice.  The incident ended Bailey’s career and almost ended his life; he convulsed on the ice and was in a coma for 10 days.  Red Horner knocked Shore out cold with a single punch after the hit.

Though it may be true that Red Horner was only the third best defenseman on his team, he was still one of the best defensemen of his era.  The two Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen that were held in higher regard than Horner are #3 and #5 on this list which speaks to the quality of the Leafs defense core in the 1930’s.

Red Horner was a fierce and feared defender but was still an offensive contributor.  He led all defenseman in assists and points during the 1937-38 season and was a top 10 point producing defenseman during 10 of his 12 NHL seasons.

Achievements with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #27
Toronto Maple Leafs Captain 1938-1940
Stanley Cup Champion 1932
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
Record for Leading NHL in Penalty Minutes seven times
Led NHL Defensemen in Assists 1937-1938
Led NHL Defensemen in Points 1937-1938
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defenseman for five seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defenseman for 11 seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defenseman for 10 seasons

#7. Carl Brewer – Toronto Maple Leafs 1957-1965, 1979-80

Carl Brewer played nine total seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. As a player, he was known as a solid stay at home defenseman and a fan favourite that helped the Toronto Maple Leafs capture three consecutive Stanley Cup Championships.

The Toronto Maple Leafs listed Carl Brewer at #32 on their list of the Top 100 players in Toronto Maple Leafs history that the organization released for their centennial season in 2016.  They placed Brewer behind Red Horner (#27) and Bob Baun (#30), but I placed Brewer a little higher on my list for a couple reasons.

Carl Brewer (along with #1, #2 and #6 on this list) has come closer to collecting the Norris trophy as the NHL’s Best Defenseman than any other member of the Toronto Maple Leafs in NHL history.  He was runner-up for the prize in 1963.

Brewer was also named to three NHL All-Star Teams: once to the 1st NHL All-Star Team and twice to the 2nd NHL All-Star Team.  The only Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen to appear on more NHL All-Star Teams and #1, #2 and #3 on this list.

Brewer’s Biggest Battle

Carl Brewer may even be better known for his 17 year legal battle in the 80’s and 90’s against the first executive director of the NHLPA, Alan Eagleson, over money skimmed and embezzled from the player’s pension fund.

The lengthy lawsuit eventually ended with $40 million going to the players.  Eagleson served six months of his 18 month sentence in prison, was removed from the Order of Canada, and was forced to re-sign from the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Carl Brewer, like Bob Baun, may have missed out on a Hockey Hall of Fame induction, because he was seen as a troublemaker when in retrospect, he was a trailblazer fighting for the rights of NHL players and alumni.

Achievements with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #32
1st NHL All-Star Team 1963
2nd NHL All-Star Team 1962, 1965
Norris Trophy Runner-Up 1963
4th in Norris trophy voting 1962
6th in Norris trophy voting 1965
Played in Three NHL All-Star Games
Three Stanley Cup Championships
Led NHL in Penalty Minutes twice
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defensemen for one season
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defensemen for four seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defensemen for four seasons

#6. Allan Stanley – Toronto Maple Leafs 1958-1968

After 10 NHL seasons with the New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins, Allan Stanley joined the Toronto Maple Leafs for another 10 season.  He then played one more season with the Philadelphia Flyers before retiring at the age of 42.

Stanley was a strong stay at home defensemen known for his slow but continuous skating style that earned him the nickname “Snowshoes.”

Allan Stanley was the Norris trophy runner-up in 1960 and was third in Norris voting in 1961.  He was named to the 2nd NHL All-Star Team three times and was a key part of four Stanley Cup Championships with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Fun fact: When I was learning about hockey history as a kid, I knew a lot of the NHL trophies were named after former players, so I assumed that the Stanley Cup was named after Allan Stanley.  It is not.

Allan Stanley was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981.

Achievements with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #23
2nd NHL All-Star Team 1960, 1961, 1966
Norris Trophy Runner-Up 1960
Norris Trophy Nominee (3rd in voting) 1961
Played in Five NHL All-Star Games
Four Stanley Cup Championships
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defenseman for six seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defenseman for five seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defenseman for five seasons

#5. Hap Day – Toronto Maple Leafs 1924-1937

Clarence Henry Day began his NHL career with the Toronto St. Pats in 1924 and continued to play with the team when they were purchased by Conn Smythe and re-named the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1927.

Day was team captain of the St. Pats and remained captain when the team was re-branded becoming the first captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  His 11 year tenure as Toronto Maple Leafs captain is second only to George Armstrong.

Hap Day was a huge part of Toronto’s first Stanley Cup Championship as the Maple Leafs in 1932, and though that was his only Stanley Cup victory as a player, his name would be engraved on the cup seven times: 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949 as coach and 1951 as assistant general manager; all with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Day was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961, he had his #4 jersey honoured by the Toronto Maple Leafs and raised to the rafters of the Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena) in 2006, and his number was officially retired by the Maple Leafs in 2016.

Achievements with the Toronto Maple Leafs
Number Retired by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #17
First Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 1927-1937
2nd Longest Serving Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Stanley Cup Champion 1932
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
Led NHL in Assists 1924-1925
Led NHL Defensemen in Points 1924-1925
Top 10 in NHL Points for one season
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defenseman for Nine seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defenseman for 10 seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defenseman for 11 seasons

#4. Babe Pratt – Toronto Maple Leafs 1942-1946

Walter Peter Pratt only played four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but in that short time he made a huge impact and became one of the greatest players in Toronto Maple Leafs history.

Pratt was a member of the New York Rangers for his first eight NHL seasons winning the Stanley Cup with the team in 1940 and played one season with the Boston Bruins after his time with the Leafs.

Babe Pratt had two huge single game on-ice achievements; one was scoring the Stanley Cup winning goal in game seven of the 1945 Stanley Cup finals versus the Detroit Red Wings, and the other was recording six assists in a game against the Boston Bruins in 1944 which is the NHL record for most assists by a defenseman in a single game.

The only players with more assists in a single game are Wayne Gretzky who had seven assists in three different games and Billy Taylor who also had a seven assist game.  Both players were forwards.

The Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t choose Babe Pratt in their Top 5 All-Time D

When choosing Babe Pratt for the #4 spot on this list, I went off the grid a little bit from who the Toronto Maple Leafs organization chose when they selected their Top 100 players to celebrate their centennial season.

Pratt was #49 on their list, so he was behind Hap Day, Allan Stanley, Red Horner, Bob Baun, Carl Brewer, Bill Barilko, Tomas Kaberle, Jimmy Thomson, Ian Turnbull and the top 3 on this list.

I believe the only reason why Pratt wasn’t higher on the Leafs top 100 list is because he only played four seasons with the team.  All of the defenseman ahead of him played at least twice as many seasons except for Bill Barilko who only played five seasons but had his number retired by the Leafs, and the #3 defenseman on this list who played seven seasons in Toronto.

Babe Pratt is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame though and Baun, Brewer, Barilko, Kaberle, Thomson and Turnbull are not.  I know that’s more of a reflection of his entire career and not his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Pratt’s best season’s by far were with the Leafs.

Pratt is also on the Hockey News’ list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players of All-Time (#96) and the only Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen ahead of him are the top 3 players on my list, but that’s not why Babe Pratt is so high on this list.

Why Babe Pratt is a Top 5 Toronto Maple Leafs Defenseman of All-Time

The main reason why I put Babe Pratt in the #4 spot on this list is because he is the only Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman in history to win the Hart Memorial trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player.

Babe Pratt played before the Norris trophy was introduced, but if the Norris was around in 1944, Pratt mostly likely would’ve taken the Norris along with his Hart trophy.  No one has ever won the Norris trophy as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs in NHL history.

Pratt was also selected to the 1st NHL All-Star Team in 1944, the 2nd NHL All-Star Team in 1945, led NHL defensemen in points twice and was at least in the top 10 for goals, assists and points by defensemen in all four seasons he played with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

I truly believe that Babe Pratt may be the most underrated Toronto Maple Leafs legend of all time.  With his Hart trophy, NHL assist record, cup winning goal, two All-Star selections and twice being the NHL point leading defensemen, all in just four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he not only deserves to be #4 on this list, he also deserves to have a banner hanging from the rafters of Scotiabank Arena.

Achievements with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #49
Hart Memorial Trophy Winner 1944
1st NHL All-Star Team 1944
2nd NHL All-Star Team 1945
Stanley Cup Champion 1945
#96 on The Hockey News’ list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
NHL Record for Most Assists in One Game by a Defenseman (6)
Led NHL Defensemen in Goals 1943-1944
Led NHL Defensemen in Assists four times
Led NHL Defensemen in Points twice
Top 10 in NHL Assists for one season
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defenseman for four seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defenseman for four seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defenseman for four seasons

#2. Börje Salming – Toronto Maple Leafs 1973-1989

Börje Salming was one of the NHL’s first European superstars when he began his 17 year NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  He’s truly one of the greatest Maple Leafs of all-time.

Salming has received so many honours.  He’s a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, his number has been retired by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he even has his own statue on Legends Row in front of Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Börje Salming was runner-up for the Norris trophy twice, 3rd in Norris voting twice, top 10 in Hart trophy voting twice, was selected to a 1st NHL All-Star Team and five 2nd NHL All-Star Teams.

He holds the Toronto Maple Leafs records for most career assists, most single season assists by a denfenseman and most career goals, assists and point by a defenseman.   He also has the 4th most career points in Toronto Maple Leafs history and the 5th most single season assists in Toronto Maple Leafs history.

As far as his NHL career ranks, he has the 15th most career assists by a defenseman in NHL history, the 17th most career points by a defenseman in NHL history, the 42nd most career goals by a defenseman in NHL history, and the 74th most career assists in NHL history.

Börje Salming was a true trailblazer for European hockey.  Before he came to the NHL, there was a stigma that European players were “too soft” to play in the NHL.  He proved them wrong and became a fan favourite in Toronto.

He was very close to getting the number one spot on this list.

Awards & Honours with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Statue on Legends Row
Number Retired by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #8
1st  NHL All-Star Team 1977
2nd NHL All-Star Team 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980
Norris Trophy Runner-Up 1977
Norris Trophy Runner-Up 1980
Norris Trophy Nominee (3rd in voting) 1976
Norris Trophy Nominee (3rd in voting) 1979
Calder Memorial Trophy Nominee (3rd in voting) 1974
4th in Hart Trophy voting 1977
7th in Hart Trophy voting 1979
4th in Norris trophy voting 1975
4th in Norris trophy voting 1978
5th in Norris trophy voting 1974
10th in Norris trophy voting 1981
9th in NHL All-Star Team voting 1981
Played in three NHL All-Star Games
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
#74 on The Hockey News’ list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players

Statistical Achievements with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Led NHL Defenseman in Assists 1976-1977
Top 10 in NHL Assists twice
Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defenseman for four seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defenseman for seven seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defenseman for seven seasons
5th Most Single Season Assists in Toronto Maple Leafs History  (66)
Most Single Season Assists by a defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History  (66)
Most Career Assists in Toronto Maple Leafs History (620)
4th Most Career Points in Toronto Maple Leafs History (768)
Most Career Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (148)
Most Career Assists by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (620)
Most Career Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (768)
74th Most Career Assists in NHL History (637)
42nd Most Career Goals by a Defenseman in NHL History (150)
15th Most Career Assists by a Defenseman in NHL History (637)
17th Most Career Points by a Defenseman in NHL History (787)

#1. Tim Horton – Toronto Maple Leafs 1949-1970

Tim Horton is a true Canadian icon.  Today he may be more well known for starting his now giant donut chain, but during his playing days he was known as one of the NHL’s greatest defensemen.

Horton played his first 20 NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and later played with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres.  He was still a member of the Sabres when he died in a car crash while intoxicated at the age of 44.

Tim Horton was known as a incredibly strong and tough defenseman who didn’t need to play dirty to defend against the best offensive players in the NHL.  He was also a strong puck carrier who could add to the score sheet.

On the way to his first of four Stanley Cup Championships, Tim Horton scored three goals and 13 assists for 16 points in 12 games in 1962.  His 16 playoff points in a single season was a record for Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen, and though Ian Turnbull tied it with 16 points in 13 games in 1978, his record wasn’t beaten until Dave Ellett scored 18 points in 18 games in 1994.

Like Börje Salming, Tim Horton is a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, his number has been retired by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and his statue in on Legends Row. He was also runner-up for the Norris trophy twice, 3rd in Norris voting twice, 10th in Hart trophy voting once, was selected to three 1st NHL All-Star Teams and three 2nd NHL All-Star Teams.

Tim Horton is the greatest defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs history.

Awards & Honours with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Statue on Legends Row
Number Retired by the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs Top 100 #6
1st NHL All-Star Team 1964, 1968, 1968
2nd NHL All-Star Team 1954, 1963, 1967
Norris Trophy Runner-Up 1964
Norris Trophy Runner-Up 1969
Norris Trophy Nominee (3rd in voting) 1963
Norris Trophy Nominee (3rd in voting) 1968
10th in Hart Trophy voting 1964
4th in Norris trophy voting 1965
4th in Norris trophy voting 1967
Four Stanley Cup Championships
Played in Seven NHL All-Star Games
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
#43 on The Hockey News’ list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players

Statistical Achievements with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Top 10 in NHL Goals by a Defenseman for 13 seasons
Top 10 in NHL Assists by a Defenseman for 11 seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points by a Defenseman for 13 seasons
7th Most Career Assists in Toronto Maple Leafs History (349)

3rd Most Career Goals by Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (109)
3rd Most Career Assists by Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (349)
3rd Most Career Points by Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (458)