Elite Leafs

[mapes]

Originally Posted by Mr Kanadensisk

In the last three SF appearances the Leafs have a 4-12 record so I'm not as impressed as you might be. I would put much more weight in an appearance in the finals, or even in a presidents trophy, let alone winning the cup.

But you said they have been dismal since then (which would be 1990). I don't have the numbers but from 93 til the lockout they were probably a top 5 team in series won. They just haven't faired well since 2008. I say 2008 because in both 06 and 07 they could have made the playoffs with a little luck. But it does happen when teams are good for so long. They were solid for a good 11 years.

[Mr Kanadensisk]

Originally Posted by mapes

But you said they have been dismal since then (which would be 1990). I don't have the numbers but from 93 til the lockout they were probably a top 5 team in series won. They just haven't faired well since 2008. I say 2008 because in both 06 and 07 they could have made the playoffs with a little luck. But it does happen when teams are good for so long. They were solid for a good 11 years.

Out of the last 20 seasons only in 7 of them did we win a playoff round, so I'm not sure if we were really solid for 11 years. There are numerous ways you could measure the quality of our individual players over these years and I'm not sure that playoff rounds won is in of itself that accurate a source.

[Prophecy35]

Originally Posted by mapes

I don't have the numbers but from 93 til the lockout they were probably a top 5 team in series won.

To my surprise, they were actually a top five team in series won from 92-93 to 03-04.

Wings - 20
Devils - 18
Avalanche - 17
Stars - 12
Flyers/Leafs - 11

Not bad, but that doesn't mean they were actually a top five team during that time.

But it does happen when teams are good for so long. They were solid for a good 11 years.

Well, it doesn't always happen. Take the Blues from 79-04 and the fact that they made the playoffs every year. I don't think "well they were good enough for a period of time, so it's natural to fall into a dismal period" is a good excuse.

Also, solid for 11 years is conveniently leaving out four seasons from 94-98 where I wouldn't apply the term "solid". Maybe I'm being a little too harsh though.

On the thread topic, I think my picks have all been covered. Arguably the whole Kid line, Broda, Apps, and Dye. To me, it seems like Horton, Keon, Mahovlich and Salming would be borderline if the criteria of top 5 player for three years or more is followed.