9 best "one-hit wonders" in Toronto Maple Leafs history
While Toronto Maple Leafs greats like Mats Sundin, Doug Gilmour, and Darryl Sittler are celebrated frequently, we’ve got some time on our hands these days, so why not focus on some less-recognized players?
Specifically, let’s take a look at the one-hit wonders in franchise history.
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You know them, you love them, though you can be excused if you forgot they ever played in Toronto. Here’s a look at the best players in Maple Leafs history that only played one season with the Leafs — excluding current players.
9. Mason Raymond (2013-14)
Signing a one-year deal with the Leafs in 2013, Mason Raymond was a low risk free agent acquisition that produced rather well on the scoresheet. The speedy forward scored 19 goals and 45 points for a Leafs team that missed the playoffs.
8. Bill Flett (1974-75)
It's #MustacheMonday with the late "Cowboy" Bill Flett, 689 NHL games with the Kings/Flyers/Leafs/Flames/Oilers and 195 WHA games with the Oilers. Flett had one of the best mustache/beard/hair combos in hockey history #VintageHockey #NHL #RIPCowboyBillFlett pic.twitter.com/fGKB01lIbC
— Vintage Hockey Showcase (@hockey_vintage) April 13, 2020
Bill Flett should have made this list based on his looks alone, but the right winger also produced on the ice in a Leafs uniform. After winning a Stanley Cup with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1974, Flett was traded to Toronto, where he scored 40 points in 77 games.
7. Mike Ridley (1994-95)
Mike Ridley spent the entirety of the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season with the Leafs, scoring 37 points in 48 games. The veteran centre added another four points in seven playoff games before being traded to Vancouver for Sergio Momesso.
6. Bob Manno (1981-82)
Racking up 41 assists in his lone season in Toronto, Bob Manno cracked the 50-point plateau for the Leafs in 1981-82.
5. Marian Stastny (1985-86)
The lesser-known Stastny brother, Marian played one NHL season apart from Peter and Anton. He was productive as a Leaf, scoring 53 points in 70 games in 1985-86.
4. Brian Leetch (2003-04)
The Leafs were looking to make a push for the Stanley Cup when they acquired Brian Leetch from the New York Rangers in 2004. The Hall of Fame defenceman was excellent in Toronto, albeit for a short period of time.
Leetch scored 15 points in 15 regular season games, then added eight assists in 13 playoff games, helping Toronto get to the second round. The Leafs got their money’s worth out of Leetch, playing him over 26 minutes a night during the regular season and over 28 minutes a game in the playoffs.
3. Robert Svehla (2002-03)
Offensive defenceman Robert Svehla scored 45 points in 82 games as a Leaf, following eight seasons with the Florida Panthers. Not bad, considering it came during the dead puck era.
2. Jason Allison (2005-06)
Jason Allison had a strange end to his NHL career.
Not known for his skating, Allison wasn’t well-suited to the new NHL rules following the 2004-05 lockout, but he still managed to produce 60 points in 66 games for the Leafs in 2005-06.
Despite being just 31 years old, that was his last season of pro hockey.
1. Joe Nieuwendyk (2003-04)
The 2003-04 season was a golden age of one-hit wonders (Ron Francis also played on that team), but Joe Nieuwendyk was most certainly the best of the bunch. The Hall of Fame centre scored 50 points in 64 games before potting six playoff goals, including two in a Game 7 victory over the Ottawa Senators.
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