Former Maple Leafs Pat Quinn and Eric Lindros are among four that have been named to the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday.
Quinn(the former coach and general manager of the Leafs from 1998-2006)was elected in the builder's category, while Lindros is joined by Russian great and former Calder Trophy winner Sergei Makarov and goaltender Rogatien Vachon in the player's category.
Quinn played 99 games for Toronto from 1968 to 1970 during his nine-year NHL playing career, but made his mark as a coach and GM, leading the Philadelphia Flyers to a Stanley Cup Final in 1980, the Vancouver Canucks to the Final in 1994.
In his six seasons as Toronto bench boss, the Hamilton, ON native went 300-196-52 and led the Maple Leafs to the Eastern Conference Final in 1999 and 2002.
The Hamilton, ON native won the Jack Adams Trophy in 1980 and 1992, an Olympic gold medal in Salt Lake City for Team Canada in 2002, a World Cup in 2004 and World Junior and Under-18 gold medals.
Lindros, a seven-time All Star and former Hart Trophy winner, enjoyed the bulk of his success with the Philadelphia Flyers, who traded Hall-of-Famer Peter Forsberg, four players and $15 Million to the Quebec Nordiques for the 1991 first overall pick.
After years of trade speculation that he would end up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs signed Lindros to a one-year deal in 2005, but played only 33 games in an injury plagued season.
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I am admittedly biased, since I've known Andy since 1997, when I began as a caller to his Leaf Talk post game show.
This is quite a surprising decision made by the Maple Leafs entering their centennial season and I can only say that hearing Auston Matthews first goal at Air Canada Center will not be the same without hearing Mr. Frost's dulcet tones.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs need to extend to their nine restricted free agents a qualifying offer of a 10% increase from their 2015-16 salary or they will become unrestricted free agents by 5pm Monday.
The Leafs have qualified forward Peter Holland, defensemen Martin Marincin, Connor Carrick, Frank Corrado and goalie Garret Sparks, but 2011 first rounder Stuart Percy and forward Sam Carrick have not received an offer of a new deal according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
The status of RFA forwards Colin Smith and Josh Leivo have yet to be revealed.
There had been some chatter that Sparks will not receive a contract after a poor showing at the end of the NHL season and backing up to Antoine Bibeau during most of the Toronto Marlies Calder Cup Playoff run, but the 22-year-old Elmhurst, IL did struggle with groin problems midway through the season.
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