Until we retire certain numbers from our team the ghosts at the ACC that migrated over from Maple Leaf Gardens will never rest.

And the Leafs will never win....

So I will symbolically retire these numbers and give my reasons as why I do so. Below is a list of "Honoured Leafs Numbers" and the players that wore those numbers.

# 1 1 4 4 7 7 9 9 10 10 21 27 27

Player Johnny Bower Turk Broda Hap Day Red Kelly King Clancy Tim Horton Charlie Conacher Ted Kennedy Syl Apps George Armstrong Borje Salming Frank Mahovlich Darryl Sittler

Seasons (1959-70) (1937-52) (1926-37) (1959-67) (1931-37) (1950-70) (1930-38) (1943-57) (1937-48) (1950-71) (1973-89) (1957-68) (1971-82)

Honoured Mar. 11, 1995 Mar. 11, 1995 Oct. 6, 2006 Oct. 6, 2006 Nov. 21, 1995 Nov. 21, 1995 Feb. 28, 1998 Oct. 3, 1993 Oct. 3, 1993 Feb. 28, 1998 Oct. 6, 2006 Oct. 3, 2001 Feb. 8, 2003

These are the numbers that should be retired in my opinion not simply "Honoured"

The Number 14 is a totally different topic and I can honestly say it's an embarrassment that this number is not "Honoured" never mind "Retired" so I'll leave that be for now.

The Number 1

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Johnny “The China Wall” Bower:

"John William (Johnny) "The China Wall" Bower "

Bower helped show that it was possible for a goaltender to carry his team through the playoffs, and helped prove that a hot goalie can make the difference between an early exit and a berth in the finals.

Johnny Bower was twice awarded the Vezina Trophy as top goaltender, was a First Team All-Star, was picked by fans in 1995 as goalie on the All-Time Great Leaf Team, and backed Toronto to four Stanley Cup victories. Not bad for a goalie who bounced around the minor leagues for 13 years before finally breaking into the NHL for good. Despite winning the Les Cunningham Trophy as the American League's most valuable player three times, and the Larry Holmes Trophy as leading goaltender three times, Bower didn't get a real shot in the NHL until the 1958-59 season.

Bower compiled 220 wins, 33 shutouts and a goals-against average of 2.53 in his 11 seasons with Toronto. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976. Johnny Bower served as a scout with the Maple Leafs for more than 20 years after retiring in 1970, and is still one of the most active and recognized Maple Leaf Alumni in and around the city.

• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1994-95

• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1976

• Awarded J.P. Bickell Memorial Cup, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1965

• Awarded Vezina Trophy as Top Goaltender, NHL, 1964-65

• Awarded J.P. Bickell Memorial Cup, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1964

• Awarded Vezina Trophy as Top Goaltender, NHL, 1960-61

• NHL First All-Star Team Goalie, 1960-61

• Awarded J.P. Bickell Memorial Cup, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1960

Turk “The Fabulous Fat Man” Broda:

"Walter Edward (Turk) "The Fabulous Fat Man" Broda"

The 1940s were dynasty years for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team won five Stanley Cups in the decade, all with the unflappable Walter 'Turk' Broda in net. Broda helped further decorate the glorious decade for the Leafs by adding two Vezina trophies (1940-41 & 1947-48) to the team's collection of awards and honours.

Broda's career goals-against average in the playoffs was a remarkable 1.98 over 211 games. He was selected three times as an All-Star, and by the time Broda was done blocking shots for the Maple Leafs he had collected more shutouts (62) and wins (302) than any other Leaf goaltender. These are records that still stand today. Walter 'Turk' Broda was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1967.

• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1994-95

• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1967

• Awarded Vezina Trophy as Top Goaltender, NHL, 1950-51

• Awarded Vezina Trophy as Top Goaltender, NHL, 1947-48

• NHL First All-Star Team Goalie, 1947-48

• NHL Second All-Star Team Goalie, 1941-42

• Awarded Vezina Trophy as Top Goaltender, NHL, 1940-41

• NHL First All-Star Team Goalie, 1940-41

• Leaf record for career shutouts (62) and wins (302)

The Number 4

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Hap Day:

Hap Day

Hap Day was the most prodigious winner the Toronto Maple Leafs ever had. He was a great captain and a Hall of Fame player. Over a 10-year span beginning in 1927, his Leafs made four trips to the Stanley Cup finals. In all, Hap Day captained, coach or managed the Leafs to seven of their 11 Stanley Cups. "I think that's something you need to remember about my Dad," said Kerry Day. "How many Toronto players have their names on seven Stanley Cups?"

Players such as Ted Kennedy considered Hap Day the best coach they ever played for. "We won five championships," said Kennedy, "basically because of our coaching."

Day was a taskmaster who demanded the most from his men. Much to the dismay of some on-ice officials, he knew the rule book inside out and could quote it verbatim. "If Day argues a call," Hall of Fame official Bill Chadwick once said, "you have to wonder if you were wrong." In all, he won five Cup championships as coach of the Leafs: in 1942 and 1945, then three in a row from 1947 to 1949 - the first coach in NHL history to accomplish a Stanley Cup hat trick.

The Number 7

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Tim Horton:

Miles Gilbert (Tim) Horton

Tim Horton played 18 straight seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Horton's career is a glowing example of dedication, especially when looked back on from today's era of shifting player loyalties and big-dollar free agent signings. In his almost 20 years wearing jersey #7 for the Leafs, Horton was selected to six All-Star teams and won four Stanley Cups. The quiet leader is arguably the best defenceman in Maple Leaf history, and in 1995 was voted along with Borje Salming as defencemen on the All-Time Great Leaf Team. The blue line leader was in fact a wall on defence, and epitomized the combination of strength, stability and character that scouts still search for in young defencemen.

Horton never scored more than 40 points in a season, but was a peacemaker on the ice and a calming influence on the Leafs during two of the most successful decades in team history. Tim Horton was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977.

Tim Horton was amazingly strong. During his playing days Gordie Howe called Horton "hockey's strongest man". Some even claim that it was Horton who used his strength and coordination to invent the slap shot.

• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1995

• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1977

• J.P. Bickell Memorial Award, Toronto Maple Leafs MVP, 1969

• NHL First All-Star Team Defence, 1968-69

• NHL First All-Star Team Defence, 1967-68

• NHL Second All-Star Team Defence, 1966-67

• NHL First All-Star Team Defence, 1963-64

• NHL Second All-Star Team Defence, 1962-63

• NHL Second All-Star Team Defence, 1953-54

The Number 9

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Charlie "The Big Bomber" Conacher:

Charles William (Charlie) Conacher

The Toronto Maple Leafs came into their own in the 1930s, reaching the league finals seven times in the decade and winning the Stanley Cup in 1932. The recipe for success was toughness provided by Hap Day, leadership by King Clancy, and scoring by Charlie Conacher. Conacher was the franchise's first real offensive dynamo, and was a threat to score whenever he was on the ice.

Conacher was the league's top scorer in both 1934 and 1935, and led the league in goals five times during the 1930s.

• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1997-98

• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1961

• NHL First All-Star Team Right Wing, 1935-36

• NHL First All-Star Team Right Wing, 1934-35

• League's Leading Scorer, NHL, 1934-35

• NHL First All-Star Team Right Wing, 1933-34

• Leading Scorer, NHL, 1933-34

• NHL Second All-Star Team Right Wing, 1932-33

• NHL Second All-Star Team Right Wing, 1931-32

• Set Leaf Record for Fastest Opening Goal, 7 seconds, Feb. 6, 1932

Ted 'Teeder' Kennedy:

"Theodre Samuel (Ted Teeder) Kennedy"

Kennedy served as Leaf captain from 1948 to 1955 and again in the 1956-57 season, won the Hart Trophy as League MVP in 1955, was a three time All-Star, and won five Stanley Cups in his outstanding 14 year career.

The playmaking centre's numerous accomplishments were mostly the result of relentless hard work and dogged determination. Kennedy was never known as a gifted skater, but his persistence earned him the esteem of teammates. They looked to 'Teeder' as living proof that good things come from a consistent effort, and as the player uniquely capable of captaining the very talented Maple Leaf teams of the 1940s.

ed Kennedy's #9 and Syl Apps' #10 were the first sweater numbers officially honoured by the Maple Leafs. The ceremony was extra special for Kennedy, who held Apps in great esteem. Kennedy inherited the Captain's "C" from Apps in 1948, and looked to the consistent Apps as a true team leader. Kennedy played every game of his career in Toronto, and showed his dedication to the Maple Leaf franchise by coming out of retirement in 1956-57 to help the injury-riddled team.

• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1993-94

• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1966

• Awarded J.P. Bickell Memorial Cup, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1955

• Awarded Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP, NHL, 1954-55

• NHL Second All-Star Team Centre, 1953-54

• Awarded J.P. Bickell Memorial Cup, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1953

• NHL Second All-Star Team Defence, 1950-51

• NHL Second All-Star Team Defence, 1949-50

The Number 10

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Syl Apps:

Syl Apps

The skilled centre spent ten pro seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and served seven of those as team captain. He was awarded the Calder Trophy as outstanding rookie in 1936 and the Lady Byng for gentlemanly play in 1942. Apps also led his team to three Stanley Cups. (Apps spent his entire career in Toronto) and was selected as an All-Star seven times. Jack Adams, for whom the NHL's current Coach of the Year award is named, once referred to Apps as "the greatest centre I've ever seen".

Syl Apps led the Leafs to an emotional four-game sweep of "Terrible" Ted Lindsay's Detroit Red Wings to capture the Stanley Cup in 1948. Apps retired at the top of his sport just weeks later, his status as a hockey legend secured.

• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1993-94

• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1961

• NHL Second All-Star Team Centre, 1942-43

• Awarded Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, NHL, 1941-42

• NHL First All-Star Team Centre, 1941-42

• NHL Second All-Star Team Centre, 1940-41

• NHL First All-Star Team Centre, 1938-39

• NHL Second All-Star Team Centre, 1937-38

• Awarded Calder Memorial Trophy, NHL, 1936-37

George “The Chief” Armstrong:

"George Edward (Chief) Armstrong"

At a 1950 junior tournament George Armstrong was given the nickname "Chief Shoot-the-puck" by a Native Canadian tribe in Alberta. The name "Chief" stuck with Armstrong.

Armstrong was perhaps the most effective leader in team history, captaining his team for 13 (1957-69) of 21 seasons in the league. The "Chief" accepted the Stanley Cup on behalf of his teammates in 1962, 63, 64 and 67, wore the captain's "C" with pride in the community, and has secured his unique place among the legends of the Toronto Maple Leaf hockey club.

On May 2, 1967, Leaf Captain George Armstrong accepted the Stanley Cup on behalf of his team and proudly lifted it above his shoulders. It was the fourth and last time Armstrong, the longest serving captain in team history, would pose for a picture with the trophy and the last time for any Leaf captain.

George Armstrong didn't light-up the scoreboard like some of his teammates, but his sound positional play, dependability and strength of character made him one of the most important players to ever wear the Maple Leaf on his chest. His contributions went beyond the score sheet. Armstrong certainly chipped in offensively, recording 713 points in 21 seasons with the team, but it is his leadership and resilience for which he will be most remembered

George Armstrong lives in Toronto and is still a member of the Maple Leaf scouting staff. After retiring, Armstrong spent time coaching the Toronto Marlboros and, for a brief time (1988-89), the Toronto Maple Leafs.

• Honoured Jersey Number, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1997-98

• Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, 1975

• Awarded J.P. Bickell Memorial Cup, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1959

• Toronto Maple Leaf record for career assists (417) and points (713) by a RW

• Toronto Maple Leaf record for career seasons (21) and games (1,187) played.

Fun With Numbers Toronto Maple Leafs Style.

As we get ready to watch our beloved Maple Leafs this Saturday I thought we should have something to ponder over.

How much will you make this weekend?

Name	Pos.	09/10 Salary	Pay Per Game
Jason Blake	L	$4,500,000	$54,878.05
Phil Kessel	C	$4,500,000	$54,878.05
Michael Komisarek	D	$4,500,000	$54,878.05
Tomas Kaberle	D	$4,250,000	$51,829.27
Francois Beauchemin	D	$4,200,000	$51,219.51
Vesa Toskala	G	$4,000,000	$48,780.49
Jeff Finger	D	$3,500,000	$42,682.93
Lee Stempniak	R	$3,500,000	$42,682.93
Mike Van Ryn	D	$3,350,000	$40,853.66
Niklas Hagman	L	$3,000,000	$36,585.37
Mikhail Grabovski	C	$2,750,000	$33,536.59
Alexei Ponikarovsky	L	$2,500,000	$30,487.80
Matthew Stajan	C	$1,750,000	$21,341.46
Garnet Exelby	D	$1,725,000	$21,036.59
Wayne Primeau	C	$1,400,000	$17,073.17
Jamal Mayers	R	$1,400,000	$17,073.17
Colton Orr	R	$1,000,000	$12,195.12
Ian White	D	$950,000	$11,585.30
Jonas Gustavsson	G	$900,000	$10,975.61
Luke Schenn	D	$875,000	$10,670.73
Nikolai Kulemin	R	$850,000	$10,365.85
Rickard Wallin	C	$800,000	$ 9,756.10
Viktor Stalberg	L	$715,000	$ 8,719.51
Joey MacDonald	G	$650,000	$ 7,926.83
John Mitchell	C	$500,000	$ 6,097.56
Jay Rosehill	D	$500,000	$ 6,097.56

"I wanted to remain a Maple Leaf," Tucker said. "It was difficult to pick up the pieces after I left. It was tough."

Oh!!!!! A random thought and side note on Tucker...

Tucker was bought out by the Toronto Maple Leafs that were in a rebuilding stage, he played eight-years and 531 games.

"I have always been, pretty much, a blue-collar player, and anything I have ever achieved in my career has been through hard work."

Blue collar. Hard working. Gritty. Sound familiar? Leafs general manager Brian Burke wants his team to have, -remember- “proper levels of pugnacity, testosterone, truculence and belligerence” but we don't have Darcy anymore and still Toronto pays him US$1-million a season--for the next 4 years all to be an elder statesman with the Colorado Avalanche.

Tucker responded on his first return with the Avalanche by scoring a goal and adding an assist in Colorado's 4-1 victory. We paid him $12,195.12 to beat us that night.

New season, new faces, new hopes for Toronto Maple Leafs fans...?

Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Lee Stempniak (L) and Jason Blake skate off the ice following their loss to the New York Rangers during their NHL hockey game in Toronto October 17, 2009.

Does anything ever change in Leafland?

At the end of every year we’re given the same song and dance that next year will be better.

Apologies from the Leafs brass about the year not having the “results we were looking for”...

“We are disappointed that we didn't achieve our primary goal of advancing to the playoffs and completing for the Stanley Cup. “...

“We share your disappointment. However, we accomplished much “...

“Preparations for next season are already underway. We know we will be better next year as so many of our younger players will have gained from the experience. Every member of our staff will work diligently in the weeks and months ahead to continue to move forward toward the ultimate goal of bringing the Cup back to Toronto.”... blah, blah, blah.

That was the sentiment and part of a letter sent out by John Ferguson Jr. for the 07 season to all “Leafs fans” who “are the greatest fans in hockey” according to him.

"I think we have some good players that, as our team gets better, will be valuable parts of what we're trying to do. I know people are expecting wholesale change, but I don't expect that." - Leafs GM Brian Burke

How long have we been hearing this fairytale? I’ve been a Leafs fan longer than I can remember, well actually I do remember the 1962 Stanley cup win.

It still is very early in the season, yes, with 75 more games to be played, but a disturbingly familiar pattern is rearing its ugly head once again. The Leafs can’t seem to win a game.

I see plenty of new faces but at the end of every game day and every month and every season, year after year it’s the same result... Leafs miss the playoffs or get knocked out in the first or second round, the latter being a rarity by the way.

I’ve always considered myself to be the eternal optimist when it came to the hapless Leafs, but this is the year where I say optimism be damned!! Enough is enough!

I want to see heads roll and soon, I want to see youth and energy and soon, I want to see that “pugnacity, testosterone, truculence and belligerence” Burke was talking about, after all if there is no action with those words, that’s all they are just words.

Enough! This could be the year that will finally break me as a “loyal fan”.

Defenceman Mike Van Ryn to Undergo Knee Surgery

Defenceman Mike Van Ryn announced that he has decided to undergo extensive knee surgery which could potentially spell the end of the 30-year old's NHL career.

In a season already filled with bad news, the Toronto Maple Leafs received another helping on Friday.

Sources say Van Ryn is having an osteotomy, a procedure by which the bone is cut and the knee is realigned. That means Van Ryn is done for at least this season - the recovery time is a minimum of six months. This type of surgery is usually performed on the elderly.

Former Red Wings' great and current Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman underwent the same surgery in 2002 and was able to return, however not at the same elite level that he was accustomed to.

Van Ryn, who is on injured reserve and has yet to play this season, missed the last 16 games of the 2008-09 season with a torn MCL in his left knee. Injuries have limited him to only 27 games for the Maple Leafs since being acquired from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Bryan McCabe and a fourth round pick in September of 2008.

The surgery is scheduled to take place on October 22.

The London, Ontario native has suffered through an injury plagued career that has seen him miss numerous games due to concussions, knee and hand injuries. When healthy, he is a solid two-way contributor from the blueline. In 353 games split between the Blues, Panthers and Leafs, Van Ryn has 30 goals and 99 assists.

He was originally a first round draft choice, 26th overall, by the New Jersey Devils in the 1998 NHL Entry draft.

SOURCE

Could The Toronto Maple Leafs Be Out Already?

Brian Burke looks on all the while contemplating the fate of his players

There are 76 more games in the schedule for the Leafs and even if they play .500 hockey from now on the most points their going to get is 76 + the 1 point they have; that's 77 points by years end....

If you need 92 to 93 points to get into they playoffs.... well... you do the math, could The Toronto Maple Leafs be out of contention before December?...

Last year (2008/09) the Leafs scored 244 times and allowed 286.

This year Toronto is on pace to score 177 times and allow 383 ... again you do the math.

This has been a very frustrating start to a season that was, and maybe still is, full of hope to some of the real blue and white faithful. Unfortunately I am one of the true faithful who will stick it out to the bitter end. Shame on me I guess...

The Habs Outlasted The Leafs.

Game 1 of the regular season was played last night between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens. The Leafs lost 4-3 in overtime. In case you missed it or if you just want to check out the highlights, here is the game in 6 minutes.!

Bankruptcy court rejects Coyotes bids, but holds out hope for NHL

After months of back-and-forth disputes over who would ultimately obtain control of the Phoenix Coyotes franchise, Judge Redfield T. Baum turned down both bids by the National Hockey League and Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie on Wednesday.

"In hockey parlance, the court is passing the puck to the NHL, who can decide to take another shot at the sale net or it can pass off the puck," Judge Baum wrote on Wednesday.

Balsillie said he would not appeal the decision. In a statement, Balsillie said, "nobody can deny that we are now a big step closer to having a seventh NHL team in Canada. It doesn't matter who owns that team. When that day comes, I will be the first in line to buy a ticket to the home opener.


Garry Bettman and Jim Balsillie

"I want to take this opportunity to thank my family for all their love and support. I also want to thank the more than 200,000 fans who supported the bid online and the countless others who contacted me personally to show their support. This bid always was about the game we all love," said Balsillie.

Judge Baum threw out the $242.5 million (US) bid by Balsillie, saying it could not work because he could not properly satisfy the NHL's rights regarding relocation. "In the final analysis, the court cannot find or conclude that the interests of the NHL can be adequately protected if the Coyotes are moved to Hamilton without first having a final decision regarding the claimed rights of the NHL and the claims of the debtors and (Balsillie)," he ruled.

Mats Sundin retires after nearly 20 seasons in NHL

STOCKHOLM — Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin is retiring from hockey after nearly two decades in the NHL.

"It was a tough decision," Sundin told reporters at a news conference at Stockholm's Grand Hotel on Wednesday. "It's sad to tell you today that my career as a pro hockey player is over."

The 38-year-old Swede, who said he reached the decision this fall, played for the Vancouver Canucks last season after spending most of his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He spent 13 seasons with Toronto, becoming the longest serving European captain in NHL history, and he gave special thanks to the Maple Leafs organization.

"Toronto is and will always be my second home," Sundin said.




Short Sundin Tribute:


source

Being in the shadow of a Monster.

Being in the shadow of a Monster.

With the exhibition games coming to a close you have to wonder how the young kids and veterans alike feel right now. Guys Like Kadri returning to the Junior team in London, Hanson, Frogren to the Marlies and even Andy Rogers who I thought played well being released, to mention a few.

I guess the real young kids/draft picks know that on a club whose roster has reasonably strong NHL’ers signed to contracts their days are numbered. They would basically have to walk on water to make the line-up. But there are exceptions, I really like the fact that Viktor Stalberg is sticking around for a longer look, it’s been a real long time since the Toronto Maple Leafs have had a player with his speed and goal scoring ability and hockey smarts coming up the ranks. As a matter of fact I can’t really think of one.

Now my main concern is the goaltending. Vesa Toskala’s save percentage of .891 and a GAA of 3.26 in the 2008/09 season did not exactly shine. The explanation for his poor performance was due to a groin injury; OK I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt on that one. Now that he has had the surgery and has “fully recovered” over the summer I now expected big things from him, this was his time to shine and take the team to another level with a much improved defence. But his light has been dimmed by a poor performance in the prelims by letting in some pretty soft goals. He didn’t exactly shine. Is he just an average goalie that has reached his potential? I would have to say yes at this point, he hasn’t shown that he will ever be any better than he is right now, shame really.

In comes Jonas (The Monster) Gustavsson he’s young, big and fast, he’s been described as the best goalie outside the NHL, and even though he had a setback with minor heart surgery he has shown why he is considered “the best.” He’s played 60 minutes of scoreless hockey and made a fantastic save on a two on nothing bringing the crowd at the ACC to their feet in a standing ovation. Although we’ve only watched him on the international scene and just glimpses of him in practice and NHL game time, he looks like he has the potential to be a young Patrick Roy.

I’m sure Toskala see’s him a real threat to his #1 spot, and a real confidence killer, he really is standing in the shadow of a monster.