The Top 10 "Leafiest" Things to Ever Happen in Toronto Maple Leafs History

1. Bryan Berard

Well, we have come to the end, and I have to admit, it's been sort of fun. Depressing, but still amusing....like listening to Disintegration by the Cure.

That said, I hate to end it on this one because it's more tragic than hilarious. The fact is, despite all the improbable things that have happened, this one is the worst and maybe even the most improbable.

In 1998 the Leafs made one of the only great trades they have ever made when they sent former top goalie Felix Potvin to the Islanders for Bryan Berard.

Berard had only recently been drafted first overall and was only 21 when the Leafs acquired him. He immiediately became the most exciting young player the Leafs had ever had, or would have until they drafted Auston Matthews.

Berard was just starting to live up to his potential - which was to become the best defenseman in franchise history - when he was struck in the eye by an errant stick from Ottawa Senators player Marrian Hossa.

This accident cost Berard his vision and pretty much his career. The Leafs were just starting to be a contender and with Berard winning a bunch of Norris Trophies may have won it all - who knows?

To get an idea of just how good Berard could have been, consider that after he came back to the NHL he had a season with the Blackhawks where he scored 47 points in 58 games. Adjusted for having just one working eye, that is one hell of a season.

Berard was retired by 30 and only ended up playing 619 NHL games. Despite how dangerous hockey seems, this is the only permanent career ending eye injury I am aware of.

There have been over 30, 000 NHL games since the year 2000 and so the odds of this happening seem to be even lower than the 11 games losing streak with a chance to move on.

This heartbreaking event is bad enough for anyone to go through, but the fact that it happened to the Leafs with arguably the best defenseman they have ever had, at a time when having him probably would have made them the best team in the league and helped them win a Championship, makes it the Leafiest thing to ever happen.