Toronto Maple Leafs: Matthews and Bunting Deserve NHL Awards

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Penguins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 13: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

The Toronto Maple Leafs are having their best regular season in the history of their franchise.

Ever since the Toronto Maple Leafs passed 50 wins and 105 points, every win and point they pick up from here on out sets a team record.

Obviously, when you have such a good season, you’re going to have some players who deserve to win NHL awards. The Leafs have never been a team that wins very many awards, and to their great shame, since the NHL expanded beyond six teams they have never won a major award.

The Stanley Cup has eluded them, but so has a scoring title (Art Ross), MVP (Hart Trophy), Vezina (Best Goalie,) and Norris (Best Defenseman).

Auston Matthews won the Calder as the league’s best rookie, Pat Burns won the Jack Adams as the NHL’s best coach, and Doug Gilmour once won a Selke for being the NHL’s best defensive forward, and while those are nice, they aren’t as revered as the Hart, Vezina and Norris.

This year, all that could change. Let’s take a look at who on the Toronto Maple Leafs could win an NHL Award this summer.

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