The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the Stanley Cup 13 times during their existence. Only the Montreal Canadiens (24) and the Detroit Red Wings (17) have won more times. There is no doubt, that the Maple Leafs are one of the most famous and valuable sports teams in North America.
But their problem lies elsewhere. Toronto won their last Cup in 1967. Yes, that's 57 years ago. How is it even possible, that an organization like the Maple Leafs is not capable to win the National Hockey League?
There are many reasons why. The majority of them are sports-related and fact-based. But there are people, who believe, that this Canadian team is under some kind of curse. Continue reading this Rezztek® blog to find out more.
Numbers Don't Lie - The Maple Leafs are Hockey's Black Sheep
Let's talk some stats. The Maple Leafs made the play-offs 72 times during their 106 seasons in the league. Back in the day, there were fewer teams in the league, but with the expansion, winning became tougher.
Toronto qualified to the NHL play-offs seven times between 2015 and 2023, but this Canadian team managed to win only one play-off series (2023 against the Tampa Bay Lightning). That is alarming. A team filled with players such as Auston Matthews, Mitchell Marner, John Tavares, or William Nylander should have been more successful.
It's important to mention that between 2006 and 2016, the Maple Leafs played play-off hockey just once. When was the last time the Maple Leafs won back to back play-off series in the NHL? If you like this team, maybe you don't even want to know. The answer is the 2001-2002 (!!!) season.
The Maple Leafs' Curse - is it real?
After the tough years in the beginning of this century, the Maple Leafs came back to the play-offs. It's one thing to make the postseason; the other is to win a series. In the chart below, you can see how far Toronto got during the last decade in the NHL.
| Season | Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL play-offs |
| 2022-2023 | Lost in Second round, 1–4 (Panthers) |
| 2021-2022 | Lost in First round, 3–4 (Lightning) |
| 2020-2021 | Lost in First round, 3–4 (Canadiens) |
| 2019-2020 | Lost in Qualifying round, 2–3 (Blue Jackets) |
| 2018-2019 | Lost in First round, 3–4 (Bruins) |
| 2017-2018 | Lost in First round, 3–4 (Bruins) |
| 2016-2017 | Lost in First round, 2–4 (Capitals) |
| 2015-2016 | Did not qualify |
| 2014-2015 | Did not qualify |
| 2013-2014 | Did not qualify |
Will Toronto Ever Win the Stanley Cup Again?
The Maple Leafs are one of the best teams in the NHL, both offensively and defensively. Coach Sheldon Keefe knows his players, and there is a good mood in the locker room. Auston Matthews is a goal-scoring machine; Marner, Bertuzzi, Kämpf (both spotted with Rezztek®), Nylander, or Knies play some very good hockey as well.
Will it be enough? You can't write Toronto off before the 2024 play-offs, but winning the Stanley Cup requires a lot of factors to come together. This Canadian team certainly has a chance, but they are not the main favorites.
Maybe this position will suit them. One thing is clear: in the cap-hit era, the window where you can win the Stanley Cup won't be open forever. And time is ticking at the Scotiabank Arena.
