Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Legends of the 1970’s

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a long storied history spanning over 100 years.  Many greats have worn their blue and white jerseys and some of the greatest Leafs played during the 1970’s.

Despite having these legends, the 1970’s were the start of the Maple Leafs Stanley Cup draught after winning Stanley Cups in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1967.

The best Leafs team of the 1970’s is definitely the 1977-78 team.  They finished the regular season with 92 points (5th in the NHL, 3rd in the Adams Division) and made it to the semi-finals during the NHL playoffs that season before getting swept 4-0 to the eventual Stanley Cup champion, Montreal Canadiens.

Many of the players from that 1977-78 team are on this list.

Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Legends of the 1970’s

This list is 100% subjective.  Your top 10 may be different than mine and that’s fine.

I’m judging this top 10 using trophy voting, accolades and stats.  Sadly, I haven’t watched many games featuring these players as I wasn’t born in the 1970’s. (Stats and info from Hockey-Reference.com)

I love researching Leafs history though and I thought I’d create this list to take those fans who grew up in the 70’s for a trip down memory lane.

Let’s start off with some honorable mentions:

Norm Ullman –  Centre 1968-1975

Norm Ullman may have had his best seasons during the 1950’s and 60’s playing with the Detroit Red Wings before joining the Maple Leafs in 1968.

He led the NHL with 42 goals during the 1964-65 season.  He was voted to the NHL All-Star team that year and was runner-up for the the Hart trophy.

His highest point producing NHL season however came with the Maple Leafs when he put up 85 points in 1970-71 at the age of 35.

Despite his advanced age, he was a true leader for the Leafs in the early 1970’s.

Toronto Maple Leafs Career Achievements

#34 on Top 100 Toronto Maple Leafs
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
490 Career NHL Goals (49th in NHL History)
1229 Career NHL Points 1229 (42nd in NHL History)

Best Toronto Maple Leafs Seasons in the 70’s

1970-71:
85 Points (6th in NHL)
Led Toronto in Points

1971-72:
73 Points
Led Toronto in Points

1973-74:
Played in 1974 NHL All Star Game

Jim McKenny –  Defenseman 1965-1978

Jim McKenny is one of the highest scoring defenseman in Maple Leafs history, and one of the NHL’s best during the 1970’s.

He had career highs for point (52) in 1972-73 and goals (14) in 1976-77.

The Leafs had many legendary defensemen during the 1970’s and because of this, McKenny may be overlooked by many comparing the Leaf’s greats of the decade despite his achievements.

You’ll see the legendary defensemen I’m talking about later on in this list.

Toronto Maple Leafs Career Achievements

#80 on Top 100 Toronto Maple Leafs
6th Most Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (81)
6th Most Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (327)

Best Toronto Maple Leafs Seasons in the 70’s

1969-70:
11 Goals (5th in NHL Defensemen)
44 Points (3rd in NHL Defensemen)
Led Toronto Defense in Goals and Points

1972-73:
11 Goals (9th in NHL Defensemen)
52 Points (4th in NHL Defensemen)
Led Toronto Defense in Goals and Points

1973-74:
14 Goals (8th in NHL Defensemen)
42 Points (7th in NHL Defensemen)
Led Toronto Defense in Goals and Points
Played in NHL All-Star Game

1974-75:
43 Points
Led Toronto Defense in Points

1976-77:
14 Goals (7th in NHL Defensemen)

Ian Turnbull – Defenseman 1973-1981

Ian Turnbull is another legendary Maple Leafs defenseman from the 1970’s.  He may be the greatest goal scoring defenseman in Leafs history.

Turnbull holds the NHL record for most goals in a games by a defenseman (5).  He also holds the Leafs records for most single season goals (22) and most single season points (79).

In 580 games with the Maple Leafs, he scored 112 goals which in the second most by a defenseman in Leafs history.

Toronto Maple Leafs Career Achievements

#42 on Top 100 Toronto Maple Leafs
2nd Most Career Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (112)
4th Most Career Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (414)
123 Career NHL Goals (69th by Defensemen in NHL History)
440 Career NHL Points (92nd by Defensemen in NHL History)

Best Toronto Maple Leafs Seasons in the 70’s

1975-76:
20 Goals (4th in NHL Defensemen)
56 Points (8th in NHL Defensemen)
Led Toronto Defense in Goals
4th Most Single Season Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History

1976-77:
22 Goals (3rd in NHL Defensemen)
79 Points (3rd in NHL Defensemen)
Led Toronto Defense in Goals and Points
Most Single Season Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History
Most Single Season Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History
NHL Record for Most Goals in One Game by a Defenseman (5)
7th in NHL All-Star Team voting
Played in NHL All-Star Game

1977-78:
14 Goals (10th in NHL Defensemen)
61 Points (6th in NHL Defensemen)

1978-79:
63 Points (6th in NHL Defensemen)

Lanny McDonald – Right Wing 1973-1979

Lanny McDonald is known for his goal scoring ability, his physical play and his ability to grow the finest mustache in NHL history.

McDonald surpassed the 40-goal mark three times with the Maple Leafs and flirted with 50.  His career highs came with the Calgary Flames during the 1982-83 season where his scored 66 goals and 98 points.

His 47 goals in 1977-78 are the 7th most scored in a single season by a member of the Maple Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs Career Achievements

#19 on Top 100 Toronto Maple Leafs
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
500 Career NHL Goals (46th in NHL History)
1006 Career NHL Points (91st in NHL History)

Best Toronto Maple Leafs Seasons in the 70’s

1976-77:
46 Goals (5th in NHL )
90 Points (8th in NHL)
Led Toronto in Goals and Points
10th Most Single Season Goals in Toronto Maple Leafs History
2nd NHL All Star Team
Played in NHL All-Star Game

1977-78:
47 Goals (4th in NHL)
87 Points (10th in NHL)
Led Toronto in Goals
7th Most Single Season Goals in Toronto Maple Leafs History
4th in NHL All Star Team voting
Played in NHL All-Star Game

1978-79:
43 Goals (6th in NHL )
Led Toronto in Goals
5th in NHL All Star Team voting

1979-80:
9th in NHL All Star Team voting

Bob Baun – Toronto Maple Leafs Defenseman 1956-1967, 1970-1973

Bob Baun wasn’t a high-scoring defenseman, but he may have been the greatest defensive player in Maple Leafs history.

When Baun returned to the Maple Leafs in 1970, he may have played the biggest role in turning the Leafs into a major defensive treat.

Baun was such a great shutdown defenseman that despite only scoring one goal and 20 assists in 1970-71, he was 6th in Hart Trophy voting.

Toronto Maple Leafs Career Achievements

#30 on Top 100 Toronto Maple Leafs

Best Toronto Maple Leafs Seasons in the 70’s

1970-71:
6th in Hart Trophy voting
5th in Norris Trophy voting

Mike Palmateer – Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltender 1976-1980 & 1982-84

When people talk about the greatest Leafs goaltenders of all-time, Mike Palmateer always seems to be underrated.

His first few seasons in Toronto were amazing and he was 5th in Hart trophy voting in 1979.

Unfortunately, Mike Palmateer suffered some bad injuries during the 1979-80 season and was never the same player.

Toronto Maple Leafs Career Achievements

#58 on Top 100 Toronto Maple Leafs
6th Most Career Wins in Toronto Maple Leafs History (129)

Best Toronto Maple Leafs Seasons in the 70’s

1976-77:
23 Wins (8th in NHL)
.904 Save Percentage (7th in NHL)
8th in NHL All-Star Team voting

1977-78:
34 Wins (3rd in NHL)
.911 Save Percentage (4th in NHL)
7th Most Single Season Wins in Toronto Maple Leafs History
7th in NHL All-Star Team voting

1978-79:
26 Wins (3rd in NHL)
.909 Save Percentage (3rd in NHL)
5th in Hart Trophy voting
3rd in NHL All-Star Team voting

Jacque Plante – Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltender 1970-1973

Jacques Plante may be the greatest goaltender in NHL history.

He is obviously more known for his time with the Montreal Canadiens where he won six Stanley Cups, seven Vezina trophies and a Hart Trophy, but one of his best seasons was with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In 1970-71, Jacques Plante set an NHL record for best save percentage in a single season (minimum 20 games) with .944 percent.

He also led the NHL in goals against average with a 1.89 and was 5th in Hart Trophy voting.

Toronto Maple Leafs Career Achievements

Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
Best Career Save Percentage in Toronto Maple Leafs History (.925)
8th Best Career Goals Against Average in Toronto Maple Leafs History (2.46)
437 Career Wins (9th in NHL History)
.920 Career Save Percentage (8th in NHL History)
2.38 Career Goals Against Average (18th in NHL History)

Best Toronto Maple Leafs Seasons in the 70’s

1970-71:
24 Wins (5th in NHL)
.944 Save Percentage (1st in NHL)
1.89 Goals Against Average (1st in NHL)
Best Single Season Save Percentage in NHL History
4th Best Single Season Goals Against Average in Toronto Maple Leafs History
2nd NHL All-Star Team
5th in Hart Trophy voting

1971-72:
.917 Save Percentage (6th in NHL)
2.63 Goals Against Average (9th in NHL)

1972-73:
.911 Save Percentage (5th in NHL)
2.82 Goals Against Average (7th in NHL)

Dave Keon – Toronto Maple Leafs Centre 1960-1975

Some argue that Dave Keon may be the greatest Maple Leafs player of all time.

In 1970-71, Keon had career highs with 38 goals and 76 points and was 4th in Hart Trophy voting.  For those keeping score, in 1970-71, Keon, Plante and Baun were 4th, 5th and 6th in Hart Trophy voting.

Dave Keon has been awarded with the highest honours that can be presented to Maple Leafs alumni with a retired jersey number in the rafters and a statue on Leafs Row.

Keon was captain of the Leafs from 1969-1975.

Toronto Maple Leafs Career Achievements

Statue on Legends Row
Number “14” Retired by Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs Captain 1969-1975
#1 on Top 100 Toronto Maple Leafs
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
986 Career NHL Points (97th in NHL History)

Best Toronto Maple Leafs Seasons in the 70’s

1969-70:
62 Points
Led Toronto in Points
Lady Byng Trophy Finalist (3rd in voting)
Played in NHL All Star Game

1970-71:
38 Goals (6th in NHL)
76 Points (9th in NHL)
Led Toronto in Goals
2nd NHL All-Star Team
Lady Byng Trophy Runner-Up
4th in Hart Trophy voting
Played in NHL All Star Game

1972-73:
37 Goals
Led Toronto in Goals
Played in NHL All Star Game

Börje Salming – Toronto Maple Leafs Defenseman 1973-1989

Borje Salming was very close to capturing the number one spot on the list.

There’s no doubt that he’s one of the best defensemen in Maple Leafs history having been a Norris trophy finalist four times.

No Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman has recorded more goals or points than Borje Salming.

Like Dave Keon, Salming has a retired number in the rafters and a statue on Legends Row.

Toronto Maple Leafs Career Achievements

Statue on Legends Row
Number “21” Retired by Toronto Maple Leafs
#8 on Top 100 Toronto Maple Leafs
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
Most Career Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (148)
Most Career Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History (768)
150 Career NHL Goals (42th by NHL Defensemen)
787 Career NHL Points (17th by NHL Defensemen)

Best Toronto Maple Leafs Seasons in the 70’s

1974-75:
12 Goals
Led Toronto Defense in Goals
2nd NHL All-Star Team
4th in Norris trophy voting

1975-76:
16 Goals (7th in NHL Defensemen)
57 Points (7th in NHL Defensemen)
Led Toronto Defense in Points
2nd NHL All-Star Team
Norris Trophy Finalist (3rd in voting)
Played in NHL All-Star Game

1976-77:
78 Points (4th in NHL Defensemen)
2nd Most Single Season Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History
1st  NHL All-Star Team
Norris Trophy Runner-Up
4th in Hart Trophy voting
Played in NHL All-Star Game

1977-78:
16 Goals (9th in NHL Defensemen)
76 Points (3rd in NHL Defensemen)
Led Toronto Defense in Goals and Points
3rd Most Single Season Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History
2nd NHL All-Star Team
4th in Norris trophy voting
Played in NHL All-Star Game

1978-79:
17 Goals (6th in NHL Defensemen)
73 Points (2nd in NHL Defensemen)
Led Toronto Defense in Goals and Points
4th Most Single Season Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History
2nd NHL All-Star Team
Norris Trophy Finalist (3rd in voting)
7th in Hart Trophy voting

1979-80:
19 Goals (4th in NHL Defensemen)
71 Points (3rd in NHL Defensemen)
Led Toronto Defense in Goals and Points
6th Most Single Season Goals by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History
6th Most Single Season Points by a Defenseman in Toronto Maple Leafs History
2nd NHL All-Star Team
Norris Trophy Runner-Up

Darryl Sittler – Toronto Maple Leafs Centre 1970-1982

Darryl Sittler has to be number one on this list of top Maple Leafs from the 1970’s because of his incredible record.

On February 7th, 1976, Darryl Sittler set the NHL record for most points in a game when he recorded six goals and four assists for 10 points against the Boston Bruins.

In 1977-78, Sittler recorded the 2nd most single season points by a member of the Maple Leafs with 117.  Doug Gilmour had 127 points in 1992-93.

Sittler became captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs after Dave Keon from 1975 to 1981.

Like Dave Keon and Borje Salming, Darryl Sittler has a retired number in the rafters and a statue on Legends Row.

Toronto Maple Leafs Career Achievements

Statue on Legends Row
Number “27” Retired by Toronto Maple Leafs
#4 on Top 100 Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs Captain 1975-1981
Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
Career NHL 484 (51st) goals
Career NHL 1121 (62nd) points

Best Toronto Maple Leafs Seasons in the 70’s

1972-73:
Led Toronto in points 1972-73

1973-74:
9th Hart Trophy voting 1974
Led Toronto in goals and points 1973-74
1973-74 NHL 38 (9th) goals
1973-74 NHL 84 (8th) points

1974-75:
Led Toronto in goals and points 1974-75

1975-76:
9th Hart Trophy voting 1976
Led Toronto in points 1975-76
1975-76 NHL 100 (9th) points
NHL Record for Most Points in One Game (10) 1975-76
Toronto Maple Leafs Record for Most Goals in One Game (6) 1975-76
4th Most Single Season Points in Toronto Maple Leafs History 1975-76 (100)

1976-77:
9th Hart Trophy voting 1977
5th NHL All Star Team voting 1977
Led Toronto in points 1976-77
1976-77 NHL 38 (8th) goals
1976-77 NHL 90 (8th) points

1977-78:
2nd NHL All-Star Team 1978
Hart Trophy Finalist (3rd in voting) 1978
Led Toronto in points 1977-78
1977-78 NHL 45 (6th) goals
1977-78 NHL 117 (3rd) points
2nd Most Single Season Points in Toronto Maple Leafs History 1977-78 (117)

1978-79:
5th NHL All Star Team voting 1979
Led Toronto in points 1978-79

1979-80:
8th Hart Trophy voting 1980
5th NHL All Star Team voting 1980
Played in two NHL All Star Games
Led Toronto in goals and points 1979-80
1979-80 NHL 97 (9th) points
6th Most Single Season Points in Toronto Maple Leafs History 1979-80 (97)