The Toronto Maple Leafs, along with the NHL, have released the quarter-century first-and second-teams for Toronto. Now through January 31, the league is announcing the same for teams around the league. The league is celebrating 25 years and making those players noticed for their efforts. These teams are voted on by the media, retired players, and executives of the specific club. The players chosen are considered to be the best at their position over the last 25 years. Below are the first and second teams, along with their totals during their tenure in Toronto.
First team
F- Mitch Marner (614 games, 207 goals, 483 assists, 690 points)
F- Auston Matthews (586 games, 379 goals, 293 assists, 672 points)
F- Mats Sundin (583 games, 244 goals, 331 assists, 575 points)
D-Tomas Kaberle (783 games, 74 goals, 402 assists, 476 points)
D- Morgan Rielly (829 games, 84 goals, 406 assists, 490 points)
G- Ed Belfour (170 games, 93-61-11-4, 2.51 GAA, z912 save percentage)
Second team
F-Phil Kessel (446 games, 181 goals, 213 assists, 394 points)
F- WIlliam Nylander (641 games, 240 goals, 331 assists, 571 points)
F-John Tavares (477 games, 203 goals, 254 assists, 457 points)
D- Bryan McCabe (523 games, 83 goals, 214 assists, 297 points)
D- Dion Phaneuf (423 games, 45 goals, 151 assists, 196 points)
G- Curtis Joseph (173 games, 84-66-16-1, 2.55 GAA, .906 save percentage)
The Maple Leafs have a long history of great players to play with the franchise. To take these players and announce them as the top over a 25-year span is something to be said. The players that are missing from this list could make up a third-and fourth-team. Most of the players listed above came from another franchise but left their mark on the city of Toronto. Joseph and Belfour are two of the best netminders the team had ever had, while Nylander, Kessel, and Kaberle were underrated stars who put up some impressive stats. The longevity of players on this list in Toronto does not have to be long, as some stayed a few years but left a lasting impression. Who was left off this list? Who deserves to be taken off? Let me know here what you have to say.