The 5 Best Toronto Maple Leafs First Round Draft Picks in the 21st Century

Auston Matthews

Finally, we have the none other than the face of the franchise in Auston Matthews.

Often classified as of one of the top generational talents in the past decade in the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs certainly have been a completely different team since selecting Matthews first overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

He has also been the most successful of all first round draft picks made by the Leafs during this part of the century.

In terms of his accomplishments, Matthews has took home the Calder Trophy back in his rookie season in 2016-17, along with being a Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award winner, and a three-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner for leading the entire league in goals.

In addition, with 368 career goals, he finds himself trailing only Darryl Sittler and Mats Sundin on the Leafs all-time goals list. His 649 career points as a Leaf also places him sixth on the franchise’s all-time points list. (All stats from NHL.com and QuantHockey.com)

When all is said and done, Matthews could become the best player to have ever played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

But one thing that still eludes him in what has been an impressive resume is capturing the elusive Stanley Cup.

Hopefully, he will ultimately be able to help Toronto bring home Lord Stanley’s mug at least once during what should be an illustrious tenure and career for Matthews with the club.