The Toronto Maple Leafs have a rich history that includes numerous All-Stars, Stanley Cup winners and Hall-of-Fame players. There have been 852 players who have donned the Blue and White since their entry into the NHL in 1917, with dozens wearing the same jersey number over the years.
In this completely non-scientific exercise, we’ll take a look at who wore which number and vote on who was the best. Some decisions will be so apparent that voting will not be necessary, as in the case of #93(unless there is a sizeable faction that believes that Alexander Godynyuk had a better Leaf career than Doug Gilmour).
There will be no vote for #5, since Bill Barilko is clearly the best player to have worn the number before it was retired following his tragic death in 1951. The Timmins, ON native made the Leafs as a 19 year old and in five seasons won four Stanley Cups, as well as scoring the Cup-winning overtime goal in Game 5 of the 1951 Final against Montreal.
There is no way to calculate what Barilko would have accomplished had he lived, but based on his integral part in the titles won by the post-war Leafs dynasty before reaching his prime, it is reasonable to conclude that he was on a path to the Hockey Hall-of-Fame.
If you are interested in learning more about Barilko, I highly recommend Kevin Shea’s “Without A Trace…, which chronicles the defenseman’s upbringing, career, his disappearance in the summer of 1951 and the discovery of the plane 11 years later.
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The Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons indicates in his Sunday column that Peter Holland is almost assured of making the Leafs this season, because he is no longer exempt from waivers and Leafs management believe that he would not clear if they try to send him to the AHL Toronto Marlies.
That is a similar dilemma to what GM Dave Nonis faced last September with forward Joe Colborne. After not impressing in training camp, the Leafs knew that the former Bruins top pick would get claimed by another NHL team and shipped him to Calgary for a conditional draft pick shortly before the start of the regular season.
Holland showed flashes when playing with capable linemates last season, so it is likely even if he does not knock Randy Carlyle’s socks off in the pre-season, he will get a long look before they make a decision on him.
The same cannot be said about winger Carter Ashton. The 23-year-old former Tampa first rounder also cannot be demoted without going through waivers, but it is possible that the club may take that risk as he has scored just three points in 47 career NHL games.
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