The Absolute Worst Toronto Maple Leafs Trades No One’s Heard About

Toronto Maple Leafs Under the Radar Disasters: Carter Verhaeghe

A 6’2 Toronto Born winger drafted and developed by the Toronto Maple Leafs, who went on to score 40 goals – but not for his hometown team.

The Leafs haven’t developed one of their own low picks into a star since Tomas Kaberle in the late 90s, which goes a long way to explain their lack of success over the last 25 years.

Hockey fans are enjoying Carter Verhaeghe’s heroics this postseason, having helped take his Florida Panthers all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals.

This season, his numbers were incredible. The center played 81 games where he scored 42 goals and added 31 assists for 73 points.

Verhaeghe is the sort of player that the Toronto Maple Leafs would love to have playing for their franchise.

Though he never did step onto the ice in blue and white, he was once with the Leafs. Toronto drafted Verhaeghe in 2013. He was selected in the third round, 82nd overall.

Verhaeghe didn’t last long with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

General Manager Lou Lamoriello included him as part of the package used to trade for Michael Grabner.

The New York Islanders got Verhaeghe along with goaltender Christopher Gibson (played 16 total NHL games), defensemen Tom Nilsson (played 0 NHL games) and Matthew Finn (played 0 NHL games), and forward Taylor Beck (played 92 total NHL games) in a bizarre five for one trade.

Grabner ended up playing 80 games that season, his only with the Leafs. He registered nine goals and nine assists.