It's a Canadian Game

This week has been full of optimism from everyone still following the on-going battle to see a resolution to the NHL lockout. The lockout that has now claimed the first month of the season. This week the NHLPA and the NHL met four times and for the first time in weeks it seems that for once both sides were actually negotiating rather than giving each other ultimatums. However, after the negotiations that lasted nearly 20 hours, through Tuesday-Thursday ,showed much promise the meeting that lasted 4.5 hours on Friday has put a damper on what looked to have been an impending solution to the lockout. The biggest issue that seems to be keeping both sides from coming up with a deal is the proposed "make whole" aspect. "Make whole" is what the players have been arguing for since the beginning of negotiations, it outlines the belief that players should have the contracts that they are currently signed to honoured in full. The NHL is hoping to put caps on both how much players can make a year and also a cap of 5 years as the max length players can be signed to under one contract. So, with these new rules being pushed by the NHL, the NHL has suggested it would like to avoid paying the players the money that have already been signed to. The NHL also wants to fix the ways some players have structured their contracts lately. In the past few years we have seen the likes of Ilya Kovalchuck and Shea Weber to name a few, structure their contracts in a way where contracts exceed 10 years and see players get paid large amounts in the beginning of the contract and then lower amounts towards the end. These contracts have not been taken kindly by the NHL and the owners because they realize that in many of these cases the players will not play the entire duration of the contract, but will still continue to be paid. The negotiations this week were looking very promising, TSN's James Duthie even tweeted Wednesday night saying someone who had been in the room during the talks said "there's potential". These thoughts have since gone down hill. Another source of controversy that came out of the meetings this week was the accusation that NHLPA director Donald Fehr had been withholding information from the players, such as proposals that NHL had made. This has been since been dismissed by both Fehr and several players. All in all this week was a positive to many as at least both sides continue to negotiate and try to hammer out a deal, but until then fans will wait anxiously with the hopes that a deal is a lot closer than it was a week ago. For an in-depth look at the meetings and the concept of "make whole" check out TSN insider Pierre Lebrun's view on this week's meetings. http://watch.tsn.ca/...3633#clip803633 Follow me on Twitter@Craig_Hagerman

I think another notable would be Johnny Bower although he is likely pre-post-expansion, which would be why he isn't on the list. Good stuff.

@yave1964 wow, good on you for taking the Golden Seals I have no idea who any of these players are and for that I have no idea who to vote for. It's nice to look into a team that most people probably don't even know existed, I can only assume how much research was needed for this piece.

@hf101 Not a bad addition at all, he was a beaut

@Vanflyer I cant help, but side with the players (which isn't to say its all the NHL's fault), but I guess behind all the contract honouring and what not, the fact that everything seemed fine until the CBA expired and then the NHL brings up all these issues it has. I dunno talks seem to be getting somewhere so fingers crossed. I JUST WANT MY HOCKEY BACK!!

@Vanflyer yea man its nothing against you I was looking back and really besides the guys you mentioned, it doesn't seem like there have been tons of stars who had great careers playing in New York. Theyre a team that has had great players play in their organization, but never for very long. Enough to be known for their contributions to New York.

I agree with some of @jammer2's points there is no doubt some greats players on that list, but I wouldn't say their successes were in N.Y. Amonte's career was largely spent in Chicago, Lindros will go down as one of the greatest Flyers of all time, Gretzky I would say had his greatest years in Edmonton and merely finished his career in New York, and once again Weight's best years came after he was traded to Edmonton and not in New York. All great names, but I would be hard pressed to say great Rangers. So, for me my votes go to Brian Leetch a great leader and one of the greatest Americans and defensemen to ever play the game. I would also cast my vote to Messier who although, put up a lot of high numbers in Edmonton brought a glimmer of hope when he came New York and eventually a Stanley Cup. And he will forever be known for promising victory over the New Jersey Devils in '94 and delivery with a hat-trick.

@Vanflyer Yea I know that now the players have agreed to a salary cut, but many of them are still very upset that the NHL donesnt want to honour many of the contracts that have already been signed and that irritates me, especially if they knew before hand that come september when the cba expires we want to change this. However, talks seem to be gradually getting somewhere, apparently if both sides agree on a couple little things (which isnt to say this will happen anytime soon) that it would only take a week to get everything in place, so fingers crossed.

The thing that really bothers me is that everything seemed to be running fine until the CBA expired, then the league makes it sound like we the NHL has been in the crapper for years. Why didn't the NHL bring up these concerns earlier instead of at the last minute? They knew the NHLers would not agree to a cut in salary, but they knew that if it came down to it a lockout would occur and in the end the players would care more than the owners. The owners knew that they could weasel their way to get more money.

@Polaris922 I agree especially after John Feguson Jr. came in and dismantled the team, Sundin still put up numbers despite playing with no one

@WingNut722 ahh true, makes sense then, and rather than that good list sir.

Am I the only one surprised not to see Gordie Howe's name on the list? Rather than that great list and how can you not vote Stevie Y

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Yea, there were a bunch more Leafs that could have easily have made the list and Keon is definetly one of them. Also George Armstrong, Tiger Williams, the list goes on

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ history is one full of both great pride and misery. The Toronto Maple Leafs dynasty is one that could likely only be rivaled by rivals the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings. The Maple Leafs have drank from the Stanley Cup 13 times a number only exceeded by the Montreal Canadiens . The Leafs have more inductees in the Hall of Fame than any other franchise in NHL history. So, it is clear that during their existence, they have had many great players put on the blue and white. So, then who is the greatest Leaf to play in Ontario’s capital? Mats Sundin Not only is Mats Sundin arguably the best captain to ever where the “C” in Toronto, but many could argue Sundin is amongst some of the greatest captains in league history. He captained the Maple Leafs for 11 seasons where he would become the team’s longest serving captain while racking up the most goals and points by any Leaf. During his career Sundin only failed to hit 70 points in his first and least seasons in the league and lead the Maple Leafs in scoring ever season he was with the team except in 02-03 when he was eclipsed by Alexander Mogilny. His most productive season as a Leaf came in 96-97 when he recorded 41 goals and 94 points. . Sundin played in 8 NHL All-Star games, is tied for 21st in all-time goals, 33rd in assists, and is 27th on the all-time points list. Sundin is the first and only Swedish player to break the 500 goal plateau and was the first European-born player to be selected first overall in the NHL entry draft. This past season Sundin was honoured at the Air Canada Centre when he had his number 13 raised to the rafters. Sundin finished his career with the Maple Leafs compiling 420 goals and 987 points in a Maple Leafs uniform. Sundin was also fortunate enough this year to be named as one of the 4 players to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this year in the city that adopted him Toronto, ON. Darryl Sittler Darryl Sittler is, for many Leaf fans, a very recognizable face. Sittler wore the “C” for the Leafs’ for 6 years and was a leader in Toronto during his 12 seasons with the Leafs. What Sittler is most known for is the night he put a stamp into the record books. On February 7th 1976 Sittler set a record that to this day has not been touched, Sittler recorded 10 points in a single game when he put up 6 goals and 4 assists against the Boston Bruins in an 11-4 win. Many players have hit 8 points, but to this day Sittler’s 10 is still one record that may never be challenged. Sittler finished his career as a Leaf racking up 916 points, second behind only Mats Sundin for the most in club history. In 1975, Sittler’s first season as Leafs captain, Sittler became the first Maple Leaf player to hit 100 points in a season when he recorded 41 goals and 59 assists. Sittler was inducted into the Hockey Hallf of Fame in 1989 finishing his NHL career with 484 goals and 1,121 points. On February 28th, 2003 Sittler had his no. 27 raised to the rafters at the Air Canada Centre in front of an extremely energetic crowd. Doug Gilmour Doug Gilmour or “Dougie” as he Leaf fans called him is one of the Hallmark names in Leafs history. Gilmour played seasons with Buffalo, St. Louis, Calgary, New Jersey, Chicago, and Montreal, but he will go down in history as one of the greatest Leafs of all time. Gilmour was acquired by the Maple Leafs during the later end of the 91-92 season in a historical trade that saw General Manager Cliff Fletcher make, what was at the time, the biggest trade in NHL history with 10 players going one way or another. This trade paid off immediately for the Leafs as the following season Gilmour would put up a Maple Leaf record, recording 127 points. He would win the Frank J. Selke trophy as the league’s most defensive forward and finished as the runner up as the league’s MVP. The following season Gilmour finished with 111 points. Gilmour would become the Leaf’s captain during the 1994 season after captain Wendel Clark was traded to the Quebec Nordiques for future captain Mats Sundin. Gilmour would finish his Maple Leaf career with 452 points in 391 games. Gilmour had his number 93 retired at the ACC on January 31st, 2009 when the Leafs raised it to the rafters. Gilmour was also fortunate enough to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011. Wendel Clark Wendel Clark was, and in many respects still is, the face of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Clark started his NHL campaign when he was selected first overall in the 1985 entry draft. Clark would play his first season as a Maple Leaf and finish 3rd in voting for the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year). Clark captained the Leafs from 1991-1994. Clark would be traded by the Leafs to the Quebec Nordiques in return for young Swedish star Mats Sundin. Clark was known not just for his offensive play, but more for his physical play, this was reflected by his nickname “captain crunch.” Clark was plagued with injuries most of his career, only playing an entire season just once in his career. It was his injuries that really stopped him from putting up even more impressive numbers. Clark’s most productive season came in the 93-94 season when Clark put up 46 goals and 76 points. Clark played 3 different stints with the Leafs and because of this became a fan favourite. On November 27th, 2008 Clark was added to an elite group of Maple Leaf greats when he had his number 17 raised to the rafters at the Air Canada Centre. Johnny Bower Johnny Bower even at his old age of 88 years old can still be spotted in the crowd at many Maple Leaf games. Bower was the Maple Leafs’ goalie from 1958-1970 in which time he put up some incredible numbers. Bower won the Vezina trophy for best goaltender in 1961 and 1965, the Haps Holmes Memorial Award for best goals against average in 1952, 1957, and 1958, was a first team all-star in 1961, and on top of all that hoisted the Stanley Cup in 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1967. Johnny Bower was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976 and in 2007 Bower was honoured with a Star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. Bower recorded 37 shutouts during his career which is good enough for 39th all-time. Despite his battle with poor eyesight throughout his career Bower was able to still play at a very competitive level including capturing the Stanley Cup and the Vezina Trophy in this time. Bower helped the Leafs win their last Stanley Cup and because of this he will be remembered as one of the great goaltenders and Maple Leafs to ever play the game. Borje Salming Borje Salming was one of the great defensemen of his era. Salming was one of the first European players to come over to North America to play in the NHL which really helped to open the door for many other Europeans. Salming played 16 seasons with the Maple Leafs being named a first team all-star in 1977 and a second team all-star on five other occasions. Salming finished his career having played 1148 games in the NHL with 1099 of them in a Leafs uniform finishing with a respectable 150 goals and 787 points with which 148 goals and 748 of those points coming with the Leafs. Salming was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998 becoming the first Swede to be given the honour. Salming also had his number 21 retired and raised to the rafters at the ACC on October 4th, 2006. Salming still holds the NHL record for the most points by an undrafted defenseman and also holds over 6 Maple Leaf records. Salming holds the record for the most career points and goals by a Leafs defenseman, the most career assists by a Leaf player, the most assists by a Leafs defenseman in a season, and also has the best career plus-minus by any Maple Leaf. With all these stats and more it is no question that Salming was one of the great D-men in NHL history and by far one of the greatest players to ever don the blue and white. Looking back it is clear to see that the Toronto Maple Leafs history has been one full of great players and great memories. And with such a rich history there are many more other hockey greats that could also have easily topped this list. Each of these 6 have brought pride, excitement, and even championships to the city of Toronto and they will be forever honoured in the rafters of the Air Canada Centre and the Hockey Hall of Fame, but even more important the will be remembered by Maple Leafs fans of both then and now. However, in saying all this I must ask, who do you think is the greatest retired Maple Leaf of all time?

^ That's great, spot on. It's very funny how when it came to signing off on these big deals the NHL had no problem, but as soon as the CBA expired, all of a sudden they make the players look like they are being greedy. John-Michael Liles made a great point a few weeks back when he said that after the last lockout was finally resolved it seemed like everything was great and there was nothing wrong, but as soon as it expired, the NHL makes it sound like its been awful and everything has gone to ****. Despite seeing the highest revenues the NHL has ever seen.