1996–97 Toronto Maple Leafs
Division6th Central
Conference11th Western
1996–97 record30–44–8
Home record18–20–3
Road record12–24–5
Goals for230
Goals against273
Team information
General managerCliff Fletcher
CoachMike Murphy
CaptainDoug Gilmour (Oct-Feb)
Vacant (Feb-Apr)
ArenaMaple Leaf Gardens
Average attendance15,703
Minor league affiliate(s)St. John's Maple Leafs
Team leaders
GoalsMats Sundin (41)
AssistsMats Sundin (53)
PointsMats Sundin (94)
Penalty minutesTie Domi (275)
Plus/minusRob Zettler (+8)
WinsFelix Potvin (27)
Goals against averageFelix Potvin (3.15)

The 1996–97 Toronto Maple Leafs season was Toronto's 80th season in the National Hockey League (NHL).

The Maple Leafs entered the 1996–97 NHL season with the hopes of making the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. Mike Murphy was hired prior to the season as the head coach replacing interim coach Nick Beverley. The team played poorly for most of the season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1992. This season would be Cliff Fletcher's last as general manager of the Maple Leafs. In one of his final moves, Fletcher traded captain Doug Gilmour to the New Jersey Devils in February.

Offseason

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
12Dallas Stars8248268252198104
23Detroit Red Wings8238261825319794
35Phoenix Coyotes823837724024383
46St. Louis Blues8236351123623983
58Chicago Blackhawks8234351322321081
611Toronto Maple Leafs823044823027368

Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

Western Conference[1]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1p – Colorado AvalanchePAC8249249277205107
2Dallas StarsCEN8248268252198104
3Detroit Red WingsCEN8238261825319794
4Mighty Ducks of AnaheimPAC8236331324523385
5Phoenix CoyotesCEN823837724024383
6St. Louis BluesCEN8236351123623983
7Edmonton OilersPAC823637925224781
8Chicago BlackhawksCEN8234351322321081
9Vancouver CanucksPAC823540725727377
10Calgary FlamesPAC823241921423973
11Toronto Maple LeafsCEN823044823027368
12Los Angeles KingsPAC8228431121426867
13San Jose SharksPAC822747821127862

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific

bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy

Schedule and results

1996–97 regular season[2]
October: 5–6–0 (home: 3–4–0; road: 2–2–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1WOctober 5, 19964–1Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97)1–0–0Recap
2LOctober 8, 19962–4Edmonton Oilers (1996–97)1–1–0Recap
3LOctober 12, 19964–7Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97)1–2–0Recap
4LOctober 15, 19961–3Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97)1–3–0Recap
5LOctober 17, 19961–6@ St. Louis Blues (1996–97)1–4–0Recap
6LOctober 19, 19960–2@ Dallas Stars (1996–97)1–5–0Recap
7WOctober 22, 19964–3San Jose Sharks (1996–97)2–5–0Recap
8WOctober 24, 19962–1@ Boston Bruins (1996–97)3–5–0Recap
9WOctober 26, 19965–2Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97)4–5–0Recap
10LOctober 29, 19962–5Los Angeles Kings (1996–97)4–6–0Recap
11WOctober 31, 19965–3@ New York Islanders (1996–97)5–6–0Recap
November: 5–9–0 (home: 5–1–0; road: 0–8–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
12WNovember 2, 19966–2Detroit Red Wings (1996–97)6–6–0Recap
13WNovember 5, 19966–3St. Louis Blues (1996–97)7–6–0Recap
14LNovember 7, 19962–6@ Ottawa Senators (1996–97)7–7–0Recap
15WNovember 9, 19967–3Edmonton Oilers (1996–97)8–7–0Recap
16LNovember 10, 19961–3@ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97)8–8–0Recap
17LNovember 13, 19962–3@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97)8–9–0Recap
18LNovember 14, 19961–4@ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97)8–10–0Recap
19LNovember 16, 19962–3@ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97)8–11–0Recap
20WNovember 19, 19964–3Buffalo Sabres (1996–97)9–11–0Recap
21LNovember 21, 19963–6@ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97)9–12–0Recap
22LNovember 23, 19963–4Montreal Canadiens (1996–97)9–13–0Recap
23WNovember 26, 19963–2Vancouver Canucks (1996–97)10–13–0Recap
24LNovember 27, 19962–5@ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97)10–14–0Recap
25LNovember 30, 19962–5@ Dallas Stars (1996–97)10–15–0Recap
December: 7–7–0 (home: 3–4–0; road: 4–3–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
26WDecember 3, 19962–0St. Louis Blues (1996–97)11–15–0Recap
27LDecember 6, 19965–6@ New York Rangers (1996–97)11–16–0Recap
28LDecember 7, 19960–4New York Rangers (1996–97)11–17–0Recap
29WDecember 9, 19963–1@ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97)12–17–0Recap
30LDecember 10, 19962–5New Jersey Devils (1996–97)12–18–0Recap
31LDecember 14, 19963–5Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97)12–19–0Recap
32LDecember 15, 19961–3@ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97)12–20–0Recap
33WDecember 17, 19966–3@ San Jose Sharks (1996–97)13–20–0Recap
34LDecember 20, 19962–5@ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97)13–21–0Recap
35WDecember 21, 19966–2@ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97)14–21–0Recap
36LDecember 23, 19965–6Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97)14–22–0Recap
37WDecember 27, 19963–2@ St. Louis Blues (1996–97)15–22–0Recap
38WDecember 28, 19965–4Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97)16–22–0Recap
39WDecember 30, 19962–0New York Islanders (1996–97)17–22–0Recap
January: 2–10–1 (home: 1–5–0; road: 1–5–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
40LJanuary 3, 19973–4@ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97)17–23–0Recap
41LJanuary 4, 19973–7@ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97)17–24–0Recap
42LJanuary 7, 19973–4 OT@ Calgary Flames (1996–97)17–25–0Recap
43LJanuary 11, 19972–3Colorado Avalanche (1996–97)17–26–0Recap
44LJanuary 13, 19973–6@ Washington Capitals (1996–97)17–27–0Recap
45LJanuary 15, 19972–3Los Angeles Kings (1996–97)17–28–0Recap
46LJanuary 20, 19971–3@ Hartford Whalers (1996–97)17–29–0Recap
47WJanuary 22, 19975–3Calgary Flames (1996–97)18–29–0Recap
48WJanuary 24, 19972–1 OT@ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97)19–29–0Recap
49LJanuary 25, 19971–5Dallas Stars (1996–97)19–30–0Recap
50LJanuary 27, 19972–5Colorado Avalanche (1996–97)19–31–0Recap
51LJanuary 29, 19970–4St. Louis Blues (1996–97)19–32–0Recap
52TJanuary 31, 19973–3 OT@ New Jersey Devils (1996–97)19–32–1Recap
February: 4–5–1 (home: 2–2–0; road: 2–3–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
53LFebruary 1, 19971–2Ottawa Senators (1996–97)19–33–1Recap
54WFebruary 5, 19974–2Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97)20–33–1Recap
55WFebruary 8, 19974–2Vancouver Canucks (1996–97)21–33–1Recap
56LFebruary 12, 19972–5@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97)21–34–1Recap
57TFebruary 13, 19974–4 OT@ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97)21–34–2Recap
58LFebruary 15, 19970–3@ Calgary Flames (1996–97)21–35–2Recap
59WFebruary 18, 19976–5@ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97)22–35–2Recap
60LFebruary 19, 19975–6@ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97)22–36–2Recap
61WFebruary 22, 19975–1@ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97)23–36–2Recap
62LFebruary 26, 19971–3Washington Capitals (1996–97)23–37–2Recap
March: 5–4–5 (home: 2–3–3; road: 3–1–2)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
63WMarch 1, 19973–2San Jose Sharks (1996–97)24–37–2Recap
64WMarch 3, 19974–2Boston Bruins (1996–97)25–37–2Recap
65TMarch 5, 19974–4 OTDetroit Red Wings (1996–97)25–37–3Recap
66TMarch 8, 19971–1 OTHartford Whalers (1996–97)25–37–4Recap
67TMarch 10, 19973–3 OTDallas Stars (1996–97)25–37–5Recap
68LMarch 12, 19972–3Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97)25–38–5Recap
69TMarch 15, 19973–3 OT@ Florida Panthers (1996–97)25–38–6Recap
70WMarch 16, 19973–1@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97)26–38–6Recap
71LMarch 19, 19973–6Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97)26–39–6Recap
72LMarch 20, 19973–6@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97)26–40–6Recap
73LMarch 22, 19970–3Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97)26–41–6Recap
74WMarch 26, 19972–1@ San Jose Sharks (1996–97)27–41–6Recap
75TMarch 27, 19971–1 OT@ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97)27–41–7Recap
76WMarch 29, 19973–2@ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97)28–41–7Recap
April: 2–3–1 (home: 2–1–0; road: 0–2–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
77WApril 2, 19973–1Florida Panthers (1996–97)29–41–7Recap
78TApril 3, 19972–2 OT@ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97)29–41–8Recap
79LApril 5, 19972–4Detroit Red Wings (1996–97)29–42–8Recap
80LApril 9, 19972–3@ Dallas Stars (1996–97)29–43–8Recap
81LApril 10, 19971–5@ St. Louis Blues (1996–97)29–44–8Recap
82WApril 12, 19974–1Calgary Flames (1996–97)30–44–8Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Centre; D = Defence; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Maple Leafs only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Maple Leafs only.
Regular season
No. Player Pos GP G A Pts +/- PIM
13Mats SundinC82415394659
93Doug Gilmour‡C61154560−546
17Wendel ClarkLW65301949−275
94Sergei BerezinLW73251641−32
55Larry Murphy‡D6973239120
21Kirk Muller‡C66201737−2385
8Todd WarrinerLW75122133−341
28Tie DomiRW80111728−17275
9Mike CraigRW6571320−2062
14Darby Hendrickson†C6411617−2047
16Jamie BakerC588816228
11Steve Sullivan†C2151116523
4David Ellett‡D5641014−834
36Dmitri YushkevichD7441014−2456
2Rob ZettlerD4821214851
19Fredrik ModinRW766713−1424
72Mathieu SchneiderD265712320
34Jamie MacounD7311011−1493
12Brandon ConveryRW392810−920
10Zdenek NedvedRW2335846
42David CooperD19336−316
32Nick KypreosLW35325162
26Jamie HewardRW20145−66
25Jason Smith†D21055−416
20Mike Johnson†RW13224−24
3Matt MartinD36044−1238
26Craig Wolanin†D23044313
24Tom Pederson†D1512309
7Jason Podollan†C10033−26
29Felix PotvinG7403319
43Nathan DempseyLW14112−22
7Kelly FairchildC22022−52
31Marcel CousineauG130110
20Ralph Intranuovo‡C3011−10
4D. J. SmithD8011−57
33Don BeaupreG30000
39Kelly Chase†RW2000027
44John CraigheadRW5000010
37Mark KolesarRW7000−30
22Scott PearsonLW100002
25Greg SmythD200000
41Shayne ToporowskiRW300007
38Yannick TremblayD5000−40
23Jeff WareD1300026
15Brian WisemanC500000

Goaltending

Regular season
No. Player GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
29Felix Potvin742736724382243.15.90804271
31Marcel Cousineau13351317313.29.9021566
33Don Beaupre303060105.46.8330110

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honour Recipient Ref
League
(annual)		 NHL All-Rookie Team Sergei Berezin (Forward) [3]
League
(in-season)		 NHL All-Star Game selection Mats Sundin [4]
NHL Rookie of the Month Steve Sullivan (March) [5]
Team Molson Cup Felix Potvin [6]

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
1,000th game played Doug Gilmour November 16, 1996 [7]

Transactions

The Maple Leafs have been involved in the following transactions during the 1996–97 season.

Trades

October 10, 1996 To New York Islanders
5th round pick in 1998 (Jiri Dopita)		 To Toronto Maple Leafs
Darby Hendrickson
January 31, 1997 To Tampa Bay Lightning
3rd round pick in 1998 (Alex Henry)		 To Toronto Maple Leafs
Craig Wolanin
February 25, 1997 To New Jersey Devils
Doug Gilmour
Dave Ellett
3rd round pick in 1999 (Andre Lakos)		 To Toronto Maple Leafs
Jason Smith
Alyn McCauley
Steve Sullivan
March 18, 1997 To Detroit Red Wings
Larry Murphy		 To Toronto Maple Leafs
Future Considerations
March 18, 1997 To Florida Panthers
Kirk Muller		 To Toronto Maple Leafs
Jason Podollan
March 18, 1997 To Hartford Whalers
8th round pick in 1998 (Jaroslav Svoboda)		 To Toronto Maple Leafs
Kelly Chase
June 12, 1997 To Florida Panthers
Mike Lankshear		 To Toronto Maple Leafs
Per Gustafsson

Waivers

September 30, 1996 From Edmonton Oilers
Ralph Intranuovo
October 25, 1996 To Edmonton Oilers
Ralph Intranuovo

Free agents

PlayerFormer Team
John CraigheadDetroit Vipers (IHL)
Scott PearsonBuffalo Sabres
Brian WisemanChicago Wolves (IHL)
Daniel MaroisDallas Stars
Greg SmythLos Angeles Ice Dogs (IHL)
David CooperBuffalo Sabres
Tom PedersonSan Jose Sharks
Mike JohnsonUndrafted free agent
PlayerNew Team
Paul DiPietroLos Angeles Kings

Draft picks

Toronto's picks at the 1996 NHL Entry Draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.[8]

Round # Name Nationality College/Junior/Club team
2 36 Marek Posmyk  Czech Republic Dukla Jihlava (Czech Republic)
2 50 Francis Larivee  Canada Laval Titan (QMJHL)
3 66 Mike Lankshear  Canada Guelph Storm (OHL)
3 68 Konstantin Kalmikov  Ukraine Detroit Falcons (CoHL)
4 86 Jason Sessa  United States Lake Superior State University (CCHA)
4 103 Vladimir Antipov  Russia Torpedo Yaroslavl (Russia)
5 110 Peter Cava  Canada Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
5 111 Brandon Sugden  Canada London Knights (OHL)
6 140 Dmytro Yakushyn  Ukraine Pembroke Lumber Kings (COJHL)
6 148 Chris Bogas  United States Michigan State University (CCHA)
6 151 Lucio DeMartinis  Canada Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
7 178 Reggie Berg  United States University of Minnesota (WCHA)
8 204 Tomas Kaberle  Czech Republic HC Kladno (Czech Republic)
9 230 Jared Hope  Canada Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Farm teams

The Maple Leafs farm team was the St. John's Maple Leafs, based in St. John's, Newfoundland.

References

  • "Toronto Maple Leafs 1996-97 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  • "1996-97 Toronto Maple Leafs Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  1. ↑ "1996-1997 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  2. ↑ "1996-97 Toronto Maple Leafs Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Postseason All-Star Teams". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  4. ↑ "NHL All-Star Game Historical Summaries - 1997". www.nhl.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  5. ↑ "NHL Rookies of the Month". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  6. ↑ Toronto Maple Leafs 2015–16 Media Guide, p.373
  7. ↑ "1982 NHL Entry Draft -- Doug Gilmour". www.hockeydraftcentral.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023. Played in his 1,000th career NHL game for Toronto on Nov. 16, 1996, at Phoenix.
  8. ↑ "1996 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.