Yesterday was a good fight between Larry Murphy and Danny Markov, can we see that much passion for Kris Newbury vs Freddie Gauthier?
#54 - Kris Newbury (2007-2009)
Stats: 44GP - 3G - 3A - 6Pts - 60PM
Awards: N/A
Kris Newbury was a tweener who never amounted to much in the NHL. Six points in 44 games spread over three seasons. After the Maple Leafs released him he went from the Red Wings, to the Rangers, to the Flyers organizations, never playing many NHL games, before being an AHL only player, and he is now in the DEL (Germany) playing for the Fischtown Penguins, where he’s almost a point per game player.
Other 54:
Frederik Gauthier (2015-2016)
Gauthier was a better player overall in his brief time for the Leafs, but wearing #54 he had one point in seven games, though he took no penalties. Does this make him better?
Who was the best #54 for the Maple Leafs?
| Kris Newbury | 102 |
| Frederik Gauthier | 464 |
#53 - Mike Kostka (2013)
Stats: 35GP - 0G - 8A - 8Pts - 27PM
Awards: N/A
Mike Kostka was a favourite of Randy Carlye when he was a Maple Leafs, plugged in so much in that shorted season, he would become a running joke among Leafs fans. He left the Leafs after one season, played for the Blackhawks, Lightning, Rangers, and Senators and is now in the SHL (Sweden), playing for Skelleftea AIK.
Other 53’s:
Sam Carrick (2012-2013)
Carrick played 19 games and had one goal and one assist (I was at the game he scored, such a historic moment). He would sign with the Blackhawks after the 15/16 season and hasn’t seen the NHL again.
Johnny Pohl (2005-2006)
Pohl would do more for the Maple Leafs as #21, but as #53 he only managed 4 points in seven games before changing his number the following season.
Who was the best #53 for the Maple Leafs?
| Mike Kostka | 275 |
| Sam Carrick | 138 |
| Johnny Pohl | 113 |
#52 - Alexander Karpovtsev (1999-2000)
Stats: 125GP - 5G - 39A - 44Pts - 106PM
Awards: N/A
Alex was acquired from the New York Rangers for Mathieu Schnieder midway through the 98/99 season. He would play with the Maple Leafs for just over 100 games before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for Bryan McCabe. A hard line forward, Karpovtsev wouldn’t have a huge imapct on the Maple Leafs, aside from bringing in one of the best defenders for the Leafs period as a contender in the early 2000’s.
Other 52’s:
Robbie Earl (2007-2008)
Earl was a late round pick in the 2004 draft and spent three years at Wisconsin in the NCAA. He’d only play nine games for the Leafs, but would get more NHL time with the Minnesota Wild. He’s currently playing in the Swiss League for Biel HC.
Martin Marincin (2015-Present)
Marincin, the oft maligned defenseman (until Roman Polak was signed) is now playing with the Toronto Marlies after spending two seasons with the Maple Leafs.
Sean Haggerty (1995-1996)
He played one game for the Maple Leafs after the OHL season ended in 1996.
Who was the best #52 for the Maple Leafs?
| Martin Marincin | 166 |
| Robbie Earl | 25 |
| Sean Haggerty | 12 |
| Alexander Karpovstev | 332 |
#51 - Jake Gardiner (2012-Present)
Stats: 422GP - 38G - 132A - 170Pts - 137PM
Awards: N/A
Jake Gardiner is a player you either love or hate and there usually isn’t any room in between. He’s spent his entire NHL career with the Maple Leafs, coming over from the Anaheim Ducks with Joffrey Lupul for Francois Beauchemin. Gards, as we in his close inner circle call him, is the usual scapegoat for misplays and losses for the Maple Leafs, but he’s well beloved in certain circles. A solid top 4 defender, he’s here for the next few years so we should just accept it and move o- dammit Jake, you can’t even take a compliment without missing it.
Other 51’s:
Jeff Hamilton (2008-2009)
Jeff Hamilton played fifteen games for the Maple Leafs. Did he? Huh. Well then he was gone to Switzerland. Thanks for filling in a roster spot Jeff.
Rikard Wallin (2009-2010)
He came over with Jonas Gustavsson, scored nine points all season and went back to Sweden.
Who was the best #51 for the Maple Leafs?
| Jake Gardiner | 585 |
| Jeff Hamilton | 10 |
| Rikard Wallin | 33 |
#50 - Jonas Gustavsson (2010-2012)
Stats: 107GP - 96 Starts - .900sv% - 2.98GAA - 5 Shutouts
Awards: N/A
The best goalie not in the NHL, The Monster was brought in to be the Maple Leafs savior, the player the Maple Leafs could put all their hopes and dreams in.
Ron Howard: He wasn’t.
Jonas had a rocky time in Toronto, he lost his mother right before he signed his contract with the Leafs, and then he had to have heart surgery right before the season. His transition to North America was a rough one, and he couldn’t push Veas Toskala out of the starters position. He would sign with the Detroit Red Wings, then the Edmonton Oilers, and is now playing with Linkopings HC in the SHL.
Other 50’s:
Darryl Boyce (2008-2009)
Boyce only played one game as #50 before changing to #47.
Stuart Percy (2015-2016)
Percy finally made the Maple Leafs line up, would play 12 games and then be traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Phil Kessel trade.
Who was the best #50 for the Maple Leafs?
| Darryl Boyce | 56 |
| Jonas Gustavsson | 369 |
| Stuart Percy | 128 |
There’s the second half of the 50’s. The posts get longer with fewer numbers in them from here on out as we reach back farther into the Leafs past to pick names.
Thanks as always to Hockey-Reference.com, HockeyDB.com, and eliteprospects.com.
