Announcement [OC] R/leafs GOAT Tournament
Welcome to the first annual r/leafs GOAT tournament!
Since it's been super slow during this off-season I wanted to create something a little fun that would create some good hockey discussion.
The Toronto Maple Leafs has a rich history with lots of great players wearing the Leaf. Each player paving their own path in history. Sundin. Gilmour. Kessel. Potvin. The list goes on.
So we wanted to ask you, who is r/leafs undisputed Toronto Maple Leaf GOAT? Which player overall is the best to wear the Leaf?
Tournament info:
- 64 players
- single elimination via votes
- each day in August will be a new match to vote
- playoffs should fall in Sept with the winner chosen before training camp
- each bracket is organized into different positions (centres, defenseman, wingers, goalies)
- each bracket is ranked by total points scored in a Maples Leafs uniform
- positions. stats taken from hockey-reference.com
- quick bios are from chatgpt
- view the bracket here
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MATCH ONE:
SUNDIN BRACKET
[1] MATS SUNDIN - VS - VINCENT DAMPHOUSSE [16]
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[1] Mats Sundin #13
1994-95 - 2007-08
| GP | G | A | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 981 | 420 | 567 | 987 |
Mats Sundin is widely regarded as one of the greatest Swedish hockey players of all time—and an all-time Toronto Maple Leafs icon. Standing 6'5", he combined finesse, power, and leadership with remarkable consistency and sportsmanship.
He made history in 1989 as the first European-born player ever selected first overall in the NHL Draft (by the Quebec Nordiques). After four productive seasons in Quebec, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1994, where he would spend 13 seasons, including 11 as captain—the longest-serving captain in Leafs history.
Notable Career Achievements
- 11-time NHL All-Star (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000–2004, 2006, 2007, 2008)
- Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (2012)
- Olympic Gold Medalist – Sweden, 2006 (Torino)
- World Championship Gold Medals – 1991, 1992, 1998
- Captain of Team Sweden in multiple international tournaments
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[16] Vincent Damphousse #10
1986-87 - 1990-91
| GP | G | A | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 394 | 118 | 211 | 329 |
Vincent Damphousse was a talented and cerebral playmaking centre who enjoyed a highly productive 18-year NHL career. Drafted 6th overall in 1986 by the Toronto Maple Leafs, he broke into the league as a teenager and quickly developed into a top-line offensive player.
Damphousse had the rare distinction of producing at a high level for multiple teams, but he is best remembered for his time with the Montreal Canadiens, where he won a Stanley Cup in 1993 and served as team captain.
He played over 1,200 NHL games and was known for his slick passing, strong hockey IQ, leadership, and two-way ability. Though not flashy, he was a consistently effective top-six centre across three decades.
Notable Career Achievements
- Stanley Cup Champion – 1993 (Montreal Canadiens)
- NHL All-Star Game MVP – 1991 (scored 4 goals)
- NHL All-Star Game appearances – 1991, 1992
- 18 NHL seasons with four major franchises
- Represented Canada at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey
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u/sluck131 25d ago
Love the idea but dont know about the seeding Matthews and Sundin looking to hit to early
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u/Svalbard38 Knies 26d ago
Firstly, great tournament idea, love this for offseason content, secondly there's no doubt it's Sundin in this matchup, but man, what could have been if we kept Damphousse.