The Toronto Maple Leafs Quarter-Century Lineup
Forwards
I think the first line requires no real explanation. They are the three forwards that truly represented the ushering of a new era in Toronto and all three are some of the best Maple Leafs in decades. When they finally hang up their skates at the end of their careers,
The second line, much like the first, should require little to no explanation. Sundin is the highest scoring player in franchise history and arguably the best outside of Matthews. Who better than to pair him with two of his best wingers in Darcy Tucker and Alexander Mogilny?
The latter of which sits fifth in franchise points-per-game of the past 25 years. Tucker himself was no slouch either, he played over 500 games in a Leafs uniform and played an important agitating role and was at the forefront of many fond memories amongst Leafs fans in their early 2000's playoff run.
The third line is represented by the trio that logged the most minutes together through the early-to-mid-2010's. All three members of this line also sit within the top-10 in point scoring of the past quarter-century for the Maple Leafs.
Phil Kessel needs no justification, he was one of the few bright spots on some very poor Leafs teams and was one of the league's best goal scorers throughout his time in Toronto. You cannot include Kessel without including his roommate, Tyler Bozak at centre beside him. Bozak in his own right deserves to be included, he not only ranks top-four in terms of games played over this span but also sits seventh in points and was a staple on the Maple Leafs top line for years.
Van Riemsdyk was the final parting gift given to the Leafs before GM Brian Burke was fired. He was named one of the top-100 Maple Leafs players of all-time by the franchise back in 2016.
The fourth line is essentially the best of the rest. John Tavares did not fit in on another line so I have him here with his London Knights and Leafs teammate, as well he has some left-wing experience but if we were ranking the forwards based on their merit, he'd definitely be much higher.
Nazem Kadri unfortunately suffers from the players ahead of him being better and fitting into themed lines better, once again Randy Carlyle is to blame for not utilizing Kadri better. Nik Antropov is the third and final player on the fourth line and deservedly so.
He produced at a decent clip as a Maple Leaf, sitting 12th in games played and goals as well as 10th in assists over the past quarter-century for the franchise. He was the team's 10th overall pick in 1998 and still has been a member of the development staff since 2019, his dedication to the franchise alone makes him deserving to be on this roster.
In terms of the extra forwards, they are Gary Roberts and Mikhail Grabovski. Roberts is included because it did not feel right to have him over anybody else ahead of him but he deserves recognition for his contributions to the Leafs, especially in the postseason.
He was one of those players that seemed to always turn it on come playoff time and his rough ad gritty play style lent itself well to that environment. Grabovski makes the cut because despite not ranking all that high in terms of scoring leaders, he had the exact same point production rate as Bozak despite logging significantly less minutes, plus way better advanced stats. Had he not been treated so poorly by the team in his final season or two by the club, he likely would be regarded much more highly.
Nylander - Matthews - Marner
Tucker - Sundin - Mogilny
Van Riemsdyk - Bozak - Kessel
Tavares - Kadri - Antropov
Ex. Roberts, Grabovski