1996–97 Toronto Maple Leafs season
The 1996–97 Toronto Maple Leafs season was Toronto's 80th season in the National Hockey League (NHL).
1996–97 Toronto Maple Leafs | |
---|---|
Division | 6th Central |
Conference | 11th Western |
1996–97 record | 30–44–8 |
Team information | |
General Manager | Cliff Fletcher |
Coach | Mike Murphy |
Captain | Doug Gilmour (Oct-Feb) Vacant (Feb-Apr) |
Arena | Maple Leaf Gardens |
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
NHL Draft
Round | # | Name | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 36 | Marek Posmyk | ![]() |
Dukla Jihlava (Czech Republic) |
2 | 50 | Francis Larivee | ![]() |
Laval Titan (QMJHL) |
3 | 66 | Mike Lankshear | ![]() |
Guelph Storm (OHL) |
3 | 68 | Konstantin Kalmikov | ![]() |
Detroit Falcons (CoHL) |
4 | 86 | Jason Sessa | ![]() |
Lake Superior State University (CCHA) |
4 | 103 | Vladimir Antipov | ![]() |
Torpedo Yaroslavl (Russia) |
5 | 110 | Peter Cava | ![]() |
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) |
5 | 111 | Brandon Sugden | ![]() |
London Knights (OHL) |
6 | 140 | Dmytro Yakushyn | ![]() |
Pembroke Lumber Kings (COJHL) |
6 | 148 | Chris Bogas | ![]() |
Michigan State University (CCHA) |
6 | 151 | Lucio DeMartinis | ![]() |
Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) |
7 | 178 | Reggie Berg | ![]() |
University of Minnesota (WCHA) |
8 | 204 | Tomas Kaberle | ![]() |
HC Kladno (Czech Republic) |
9 | 230 | Jared Hope | ![]() |
Spokane Chiefs (WHL) |
Regular season
Season standings
No. | CR | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Dallas Stars | 82 | 48 | 26 | 8 | 252 | 198 | 104 |
2 | 3 | Detroit Red Wings | 82 | 38 | 26 | 18 | 253 | 197 | 94 |
3 | 5 | Phoenix Coyotes | 82 | 38 | 37 | 7 | 240 | 243 | 83 |
4 | 6 | St. Louis Blues | 82 | 36 | 35 | 11 | 236 | 239 | 83 |
5 | 8 | Chicago Blackhawks | 82 | 34 | 35 | 13 | 223 | 210 | 81 |
6 | 11 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 30 | 44 | 8 | 230 | 273 | 68 |
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.
R | Div | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | p – Colorado Avalanche | PAC | 82 | 49 | 24 | 9 | 277 | 205 | 107 |
2 | Dallas Stars | CEN | 82 | 48 | 26 | 8 | 252 | 198 | 104 |
3 | Detroit Red Wings | CEN | 82 | 38 | 26 | 18 | 253 | 197 | 94 |
4 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | PAC | 82 | 36 | 33 | 13 | 245 | 233 | 85 |
5 | Phoenix Coyotes | CEN | 82 | 38 | 37 | 7 | 240 | 243 | 83 |
6 | St. Louis Blues | CEN | 82 | 36 | 35 | 11 | 236 | 239 | 83 |
7 | Edmonton Oilers | PAC | 82 | 36 | 37 | 9 | 252 | 247 | 81 |
8 | Chicago Blackhawks | CEN | 82 | 34 | 35 | 13 | 223 | 210 | 81 |
9 | Vancouver Canucks | PAC | 82 | 35 | 40 | 7 | 257 | 273 | 77 |
10 | Calgary Flames | PAC | 82 | 32 | 41 | 9 | 214 | 239 | 73 |
11 | Toronto Maple Leafs | CEN | 82 | 30 | 44 | 8 | 230 | 273 | 68 |
12 | Los Angeles Kings | PAC | 82 | 28 | 43 | 11 | 214 | 268 | 67 |
13 | San Jose Sharks | PAC | 82 | 27 | 47 | 8 | 211 | 278 | 62 |
Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific
bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy
Schedule and results
No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | W | October 5, 1996 | 4-1 | Anaheim Ducks (1996–97) | 1–0–0 |
2 | L | October 8, 1996 | 2-4 | Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) | 1–1–0 |
3 | L | October 12, 1996 | 4-7 | Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) | 1–2–0 |
4 | L | October 15, 1996 | 1-3 | Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) | 1–3–0 |
5 | L | October 17, 1996 | 1–6 | @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) | 1–4–0 |
6 | L | October 19, 1996 | 0–2 | @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) | 1–5–0 |
7 | W | October 22, 1996 | 4–3 | San Jose Sharks (1996–97) | 2–5–0 |
8 | W | October 24, 1996 | 2–1 | @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 3–5–0 |
9 | W | October 26, 1996 | 5–2 | Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) | 4–5–0 |
10 | L | October 29, 1996 | 2–5 | Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) | 4–6–0 |
11 | W | October 31, 1996 | 5–3 | @ New York Islanders (1996–97) | 5–6–0 |
12 | W | November 2, 1996 | 6–2 | Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) | 6–6–0 |
13 | W | November 5, 1996 | 6–3 | St. Louis Blues (1996–97) | 7–6–0 |
14 | L | November 7, 1996 | 2–6 | @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) | 7–7–0 |
15 | W | November 9, 1996 | 7–3 | Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) | 8–7–0 |
16 | L | November 10, 1996 | 1–3 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) | 8–8–0 |
17 | L | November 13, 1996 | 2–3 | @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) | 8–9–0 |
18 | L | November 14, 1996 | 1–4 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) | 8–10–0 |
19 | L | November 16, 1996 | 2–3 | @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) | 8–11–0 |
20 | W | November 19, 1996 | 4–3 | Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 9–11–0 |
21 | L | November 21, 1996 | 3–6 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) | 9–12–0 |
22 | L | November 23, 1996 | 3–4 | Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 9–13–0 |
23 | W | November 26, 1996 | 3–2 | Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) | 10–13–0 |
24 | L | November 27, 1996 | 2–5 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) | 10–14–0 |
25 | L | November 30, 1996 | 2–5 | @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) | 10–15–0 |
26 | W | December 3, 1996 | 2–0 | St. Louis Blues (1996–97) | 11–15–0 |
27 | L | December 6, 1996 | 5–6 | @ New York Rangers (1996–97) | 11–16–0 |
28 | L | December 7, 1996 | 0–4 | New York Rangers (1996–97) | 11–17–0 |
29 | W | December 9, 1996 | 3–1 | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) | 12–17–0 |
30 | L | December 10, 1996 | 2–5 | New Jersey Devils (1996–97) | 12–18–0 |
31 | L | December 14, 1996 | 3–5 | Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) | 12–19–0 |
32 | L | December 15, 1996 | 1–3 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) | 12–20–0 |
33 | W | December 17, 1996 | 6–3 | @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) | 13–20–0 |
34 | L | December 20, 1996 | 2–5 | @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) | 13–21–0 |
35 | W | December 21, 1996 | 6–2 | @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) | 14–21–0 |
36 | L | December 23, 1996 | 5–6 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) | 14–22–0 |
37 | W | December 27, 1996 | 3–2 | @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) | 15–22–0 |
38 | W | December 28, 1996 | 5–4 | Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) | 16–22–0 |
39 | W | December 30, 1996 | 2–0 | New York Islanders (1996–97) | 17–22–0 |
40 | L | January 3, 1997 | 3–4 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) | 17–23–0 |
41 | L | January 4, 1997 | 3–7 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) | 17–24–0 |
42 | L | January 7, 1997 | 3–4 OT | @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) | 17–25–0 |
43 | L | January 11, 1997 | 2–3 | Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) | 17–26–0 |
44 | L | January 13, 1997 | 3–6 | @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) | 17–27–0 |
45 | L | January 15, 1997 | 2–3 | Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) | 17–28–0 |
46 | L | January 20, 1997 | 1–3 | @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) | 17–29–0 |
47 | W | January 22, 1997 | 5–3 | Calgary Flames (1996–97) | 18–29–0 |
48 | W | January 24, 1997 | 2–1 OT | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) | 19–29–0 |
49 | L | January 25, 1997 | 1–5 | Dallas Stars (1996–97) | 19–30–0 |
50 | L | January 27, 1997 | 2–5 | Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) | 19–31–0 |
51 | L | January 29, 1997 | 0–4 | St. Louis Blues (1996–97) | 19–32–0 |
52 | T | January 31, 1997 | 3–3 OT | @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) | 19–32–1 |
53 | L | February 1, 1997 | 1–2 | Ottawa Senators (1996–97) | 19–33–1 |
54 | W | February 5, 1997 | 4–2 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) | 20–33–1 |
55 | W | February 8, 1997 | 4–2 | Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) | 21–33–1 |
56 | L | February 12, 1997 | 2–5 | @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) | 21–34–1 |
57 | T | February 13, 1997 | 4–4 OT | @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) | 21–34–2 |
58 | L | February 15, 1997 | 0–3 | @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) | 21–35–2 |
59 | W | February 18, 1997 | 6–5 | @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) | 22–35–2 |
60 | L | February 19, 1997 | 5–6 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) | 22–36–2 |
61 | W | February 22, 1997 | 5–1 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) | 23–36–2 |
62 | L | February 26, 1997 | 1–3 | Washington Capitals (1996–97) | 23–37–2 |
63 | W | March 1, 1997 | 3–2 | San Jose Sharks (1996–97) | 24–37–2 |
64 | W | March 3, 1997 | 4–2 | Boston Bruins (1996–97) | 25–37–2 |
65 | T | March 5, 1997 | 4–4 OT | Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) | 25–37–3 |
66 | T | March 8, 1997 | 1–1 OT | Hartford Whalers (1996–97) | 25–37–4 |
67 | T | March 10, 1997 | 3–3 OT | Dallas Stars (1996–97) | 25–37–5 |
68 | L | March 12, 1997 | 2–3 | Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) | 25–38–5 |
69 | T | March 15, 1997 | 3–3 OT | @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) | 25–38–6 |
70 | W | March 16, 1997 | 3–1 | @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) | 26–38–6 |
71 | L | March 19, 1997 | 3–6 | Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) | 26–39–6 |
72 | L | March 20, 1997 | 3–6 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) | 26–40–6 |
73 | L | March 22, 1997 | 0–3 | Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) | 26–41–6 |
74 | W | March 26, 1997 | 2–1 | @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) | 27–41–6 |
75 | T | March 27, 1997 | 1–1 OT | @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) | 27–41–7 |
76 | W | March 29, 1997 | 3–2 | @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) | 28–41–7 |
77 | W | April 2, 1997 | 3–1 | Florida Panthers (1996–97) | 29–41–7 |
78 | T | April 3, 1997 | 2–2 OT | @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) | 29–41–8 |
79 | L | April 5, 1997 | 2–4 | Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) | 29–42–8 |
80 | L | April 9, 1997 | 2–3 | @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) | 29–43–8 |
81 | L | April 10, 1997 | 1–5 | @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) | 29–44–8 |
82 | W | April 12, 1997 | 4–1 | Calgary Flames (1996–97) | 30–44–8 |
Player statistics
Forwards
Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points
Player | GP | G | AST | PTS | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mats Sundin | 82 | 41 | 53 | 94 | 59 |
Doug Gilmour | 61 | 15 | 45 | 60 | 46 |
Wendel Clark | 65 | 30 | 19 | 49 | 75 |
Sergei Berezin | 73 | 25 | 16 | 41 | 2 |
Kirk Muller | 66 | 20 | 17 | 37 | 85 |
Todd Warriner | 75 | 12 | 21 | 33 | 41 |
Ralph Intranuovo | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Scott Pearson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Kelly Chase | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
Shayne Toporowski | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Brian Wiseman | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
John Craighead | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Mark Kolesar | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
0 | 0 | 0 | |||
Defencemen
Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points
Player | GP | G | AST | PTS | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Larry Murphy | 69 | 7 | 32 | 39 | 20 |
Dave Ellett | 56 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 34 |
Dmitri Yushkevich | 74 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 56 |
Rob Zettler | 48 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 51 |
D. J. Smith | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
Greg Smyth | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Yannick Tremblay | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jeff Ware | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Goaltending
Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against
Player | GP | MIN | W | L | T | SO | GAA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Felix Potvin | 74 | 4271 | 27 | 36 | 7 | 0 | 3.15 |
Marcel Cousineau | 13 | 566 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3.29 |
Don Beaupre | 3 | 110 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5.45 |
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
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Playoffs
- The Maple Leafs failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since the 1991–92 season.
Roster
1996–97 Toronto Maple Leafs | ||||||
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Goaltenders
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Defensemen
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Wingers
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Centres
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Awards and records
Farm teams
The Maple Leafs farm team was the St. John's Maple Leafs, based in St. John's, Newfoundland.