Toronto Maple Leafs: The Real, the Fake and the Upcoming Rivalries

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 12: Radko Gudas #7 and Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers battle against John Tavares #91 and Ryan O'Reilly #90 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game Five of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 12, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Panthers defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 12: Radko Gudas #7 and Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers battle against John Tavares #91 and Ryan O'Reilly #90 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game Five of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 12, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Panthers defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 29: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers battles for the puck against Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs   (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Edmonton Oilers (Fake Rivalry)

No matter how much Edmonton Oilers fans try, their is just no rivalry between these teams.

Not even when the Oilers constantly sign ex-Leafs to add expensive depth to their roster.

Oiler fans typically complain that Auston Matthews won the Ted Lindsay Award in 2021-22 or that the Toronto Maple Leafs get all the prime game times.

They try and draw bitterness between the two teams stars.

It is known that Connor McDavid and Matthews spend time training together in the off-season in Arizona and get along quite well.

Both players helping the other by sharing their skillsets and training routines.

With Alberta being the land of opportunity several Ontarians have moved to province for work and have brought their Maple Leaf passion with them.

The one game a year that Matthews brings his teammates to town, the rink is taken over by Toronto fans, which could irate any fanbase.

The games are typically fast paced and see the two most skilled players in the league put on a show for the sport.  Matthews has collected 11 goals in 17 career games against Edmonton, while McDavid has the same amount, but in 21 games.

Don’t get me wrong, this is a very entertaining game, but their is no rivalry between the organizations or the players.