1996–97 Toronto Maple Leafs season

NHL hockey team season March 2026 August 2023 NHL 1996–97 1996 Toronto Maple Leafs Western 11th Central 6th 30–44–8 18–20–3 12–24–5 230 273 Cliff Fletcher Mike Murphy Doug Gilmour (Oct.–Feb.) Vacant (Feb.–Apr.) Maple Leaf Gardens 15,703 St. John's Maple Leafs Mats Sundin (41) Mats Sundin (53) Mats Sundin (94) Tie Domi (275) Rob Zettler (+8) Felix Potvin (27) Felix Potvin (3.15) The 1996–97 Toronto Maple Leafs season was Toronto's 80th season in the National Hockey League (NHL). 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 the 1991–92 season. 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. Regular season Season standings TOR TOR Schedule and results background:#fff; border-top:#00205B 5px solid; border-bottom:#00205B 5px solid; 1996–97 regular season1996-97 Toronto Maple Leafs Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/TOR/1997_games.html Hockey-Reference.com July 24, 2023 y background:#fff; border-top:#00205B 2px solid; border-bottom:#00205B 2px solid; October: 5–6–0 (home: 3–4–0; road: 2–2–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |1||October 5, 1996||4–1 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||1–0–0 || 1996020011 W |- |2||October 8, 1996||2–4 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||1–1–0 || 1996020025 L |- |3||October 12, 1996||4–7 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||1–2–0 || 1996020050 L |- |4||October 15, 1996||1–3 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||1–3–0 || 1996020061 L |- |5||October 17, 1996||1–6 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||1–4–0 || 1996020072 L |- |6||October 19, 1996||0–2 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||1–5–0 || 1996020085 L |- |7||October 22, 1996||4–3 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||2–5–0 || 1996020096 W |- |8||October 24, 1996||2–1 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||3–5–0 || 1996020104 W |- |9||October 26, 1996||5–2 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||4–5–0 || 1996020119 W |- |10||October 29, 1996||2–5 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||4–6–0 || 1996020134 L |- |11||October 31, 1996||5–3 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1996–97) ||5–6–0 || 1996020147 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00205B 2px solid; border-bottom:#00205B 2px solid; November: 5–9–0 (home: 5–1–0; road: 0–8–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |12||November 2, 1996||6–2 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||6–6–0 || 1996020162 W |- |13||November 5, 1996||6–3 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||7–6–0 || 1996020174 W |- |14||November 7, 1996||2–6 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||7–7–0 || 1996020185 L |- |15||November 9, 1996||7–3 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||8–7–0 || 1996020201 W |- |16||November 10, 1996||1–3 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||8–8–0 || 1996020204 L |- |17||November 13, 1996||2–3 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||8–9–0 || 1996020221 L |- |18||November 14, 1996||1–4 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||8–10–0 || 1996020229 L |- |19||November 16, 1996||2–3 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||8–11–0 || 1996020243 L |- |20||November 19, 1996||4–3 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) ||9–11–0 || 1996020255 W |- |21||November 21, 1996||3–6 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) ||9–12–0 || 1996020264 L |- |22||November 23, 1996||3–4 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||9–13–0 || 1996020279 L |- |23||November 26, 1996||3–2 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||10–13–0 || 1996020290 W |- |24||November 27, 1996||2–5 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||10–14–0 || 1996020298 L |- |25||November 30, 1996||2–5 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||10–15–0 || 1996020318 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00205B 2px solid; border-bottom:#00205B 2px solid; December: 7–7–0 (home: 3–4–0; road: 4–3–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |26||December 3, 1996||2–0 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||11–15–0 || 1996020330 W |- |27||December 6, 1996||5–6 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1996–97) ||11–16–0 || 1996020347 L |- |28||December 7, 1996||0–4 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1996–97) ||11–17–0 || 1996020359 L |- |29||December 9, 1996||3–1 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||12–17–0 || 1996020367 W |- |30||December 10, 1996||2–5 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||12–18–0 || 1996020370 L |- |31||December 14, 1996||3–5 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||12–19–0 || 1996020397 L |- |32||December 15, 1996||1–3 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||12–20–0 || 1996020402 L |- |33||December 17, 1996||6–3 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||13–20–0 || 1996020413 W |- |34||December 20, 1996||2–5 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||13–21–0 || 1996020428 L |- |35||December 21, 1996||6–2 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||14–21–0 || 1996020439 W |- |36||December 23, 1996||5–6 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||14–22–0 || 1996020450 L |- |37||December 27, 1996||3–2 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||15–22–0 || 1996020465 W |- |38||December 28, 1996||5–4 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||16–22–0 || 1996020475 W |- |39||December 30, 1996||2–0 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1996–97) ||17–22–0 || 1996020486 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00205B 2px solid; border-bottom:#00205B 2px solid; January: 2–10–1 (home: 1–5–0; road: 1–5–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |40||January 3, 1997||3–4 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||17–23–0 || 1996020512 L |- |41||January 4, 1997||3–7 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||17–24–0 || 1996020519 L |- |42||January 7, 1997||3–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||17–25–0 || 1996020532 L |- |43||January 11, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||17–26–0 || 1996020557 L |- |44||January 13, 1997||3–6 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||17–27–0 || 1996020569 L |- |45||January 15, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||17–28–0 || 1996020580 L |- |46||January 20, 1997||1–3 || align="left"| @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||17–29–0 || 1996020586 L |- |47||January 22, 1997||5–3 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||18–29–0 || 1996020601 W |- |48||January 24, 1997||2–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||19–29–0 || 1996020614 W |- |49||January 25, 1997||1–5 || align="left"| Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||19–30–0 || 1996020623 L |- |50||January 27, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||19–31–0 || 1996020630 L |- |51||January 29, 1997||0–4 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||19–32–0 || 1996020640 L |- |52||January 31, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||19–32–1 || 1996020652 T |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00205B 2px solid; border-bottom:#00205B 2px solid; February: 4–5–1 (home: 2–2–0; road: 2–3–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |53||February 1, 1997||1–2 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||19–33–1 || 1996020660 L |- |54||February 5, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||20–33–1 || 1996020682 W |- |55||February 8, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||21–33–1 || 1996020701 W |- |56||February 12, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||21–34–1 || 1996020723 L |- |57||February 13, 1997||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||21–34–2 || 1996020730 T |- |58||February 15, 1997||0–3 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||21–35–2 || 1996020741 L |- |59||February 18, 1997||6–5 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||22–35–2 || 1996020759 W |- |60||February 19, 1997||5–6 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||22–36–2 || 1996020764 L |- |61||February 22, 1997||5–1 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||23–36–2 || 1996020777 W |- |62||February 26, 1997||1–3 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||23–37–2 || 1996020801 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00205B 2px solid; border-bottom:#00205B 2px solid; March: 5–4–5 (home: 2–3–3; road: 3–1–2) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |63||March 1, 1997||3–2 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||24–37–2 || 1996020819 W |- |64||March 3, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||25–37–2 || 1996020830 W |- |65||March 5, 1997||4–4 OT|| align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||25–37–3 || 1996020841 T |- |66||March 8, 1997||1–1 OT|| align="left"| Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||25–37–4 || 1996020858 T |- |67||March 10, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||25–37–5 || 1996020870 T |- |68||March 12, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||25–38–5 || 1996020880 L |- |69||March 15, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||25–38–6 || 1996020901 T |- |70||March 16, 1997||3–1 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||26–38–6 || 1996020906 W |- |71||March 19, 1997||3–6 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||26–39–6 || 1996020919 L |- |72||March 20, 1997||3–6 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||26–40–6 || 1996020925 L |- |73||March 22, 1997||0–3 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||26–41–6 || 1996020940 L |- |74||March 26, 1997||2–1 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||27–41–6 || 1996020961 W |- |75||March 27, 1997||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||27–41–7 || 1996020967 T |- |76||March 29, 1997||3–2 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||28–41–7 || 1996020977 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00205B 2px solid; border-bottom:#00205B 2px solid; April: 2–3–1 (home: 2–1–0; road: 0–2–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |77||April 2, 1997||3–1 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||29–41–7 || 1996020995 W |- |78||April 3, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||29–41–8 || 1996021002 T |- |79||April 5, 1997||2–4 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||29–42–8 || 1996021015 L |- |80||April 9, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||29–43–8 || 1996021035 L |- |81||April 10, 1997||1–5 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||29–44–8 || 1996021044 L |- |82||April 12, 1997||4–1 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||30–44–8 || 1996021057 W |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black W #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black L #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black T Player statistics Scoring Position abbreviations: C = Centre; D = Defence; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Maple Leafs only. = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Maple Leafs only. No. Jersey number Player Pos Position Regular season GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/- Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes 13 Mats Sundin C 82 41 53 94 6 59 93 Doug Gilmour C 61 15 45 60 −5 46 17 Wendel Clark LW 65 30 19 49 −2 75 94 Sergei Berezin LW 73 25 16 41 −3 2 55 Larry Murphy ice hockey D 69 7 32 39 1 20 21 Kirk Muller C 66 20 17 37 −23 85 8 Todd Warriner LW 75 12 21 33 −3 41 28 Tie Domi RW 80 11 17 28 −17 275 9 Mike Craig ice hockey, born 1971 RW 65 7 13 20 −20 62 14 Darby Hendrickson C 64 11 6 17 −20 47 16 Jamie Baker ice hockey C 58 8 8 16 2 28 11 Steve Sullivan C 21 5 11 16 5 23 4 David Ellett D 56 4 10 14 −8 34 36 Dmitri Yushkevich D 74 4 10 14 −24 56 2 Rob Zettler D 48 2 12 14 8 51 19 Fredrik Modin RW 76 6 7 13 −14 24 72 Mathieu Schneider D 26 5 7 12 3 20 34 Jamie Macoun D 73 1 10 11 −14 93 12 Brandon Convery RW 39 2 8 10 −9 20 10 Zdenek Nedved Zdeněk Nedvěd RW 23 3 5 8 4 6 42 David Cooper ice hockey D 19 3 3 6 −3 16 32 Nick Kypreos LW 35 3 2 5 1 62 26 Jamie Heward RW 20 1 4 5 −6 6 25 Jason Smith ice hockey D 21 0 5 5 −4 16 20 Mike Johnson ice hockey RW 13 2 2 4 −2 4 3 Matt Martin ice hockey, born 1971 D 36 0 4 4 −12 38 26 Craig Wolanin D 23 0 4 4 3 13 24 Tom Pederson D 15 1 2 3 0 9 7 Jason Podollan C 10 0 3 3 −2 6 29 Felix Potvin Félix Potvin G 74 0 3 3 19 43 Nathan Dempsey LW 14 1 1 2 −2 2 7 Kelly Fairchild C 22 0 2 2 −5 2 31 Marcel Cousineau G 13 0 1 1 0 20 Ralph Intranuovo C 3 0 1 1 −1 0 4 D. J. Smith ice hockey D 8 0 1 1 −5 7 33 Don Beaupre G 3 0 0 0 0 39 Kelly Chase RW 2 0 0 0 0 27 44 John Craighead RW 5 0 0 0 0 10 37 Mark Kolesar RW 7 0 0 0 −3 0 22 Scott Pearson LW 1 0 0 0 0 2 25 Greg Smyth D 2 0 0 0 0 0 41 Shayne Toporowski RW 3 0 0 0 0 7 38 Yannick Tremblay D 5 0 0 0 −4 0 23 Jeff Ware ice hockey D 13 0 0 0 2 6 15 Brian Wiseman C 5 0 0 0 0 0 Goaltending No. Jersey number Player Regular season GP Games played W Wins L Losses T Ties SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on ice 29 Felix Potvin 74 27 36 7 2438 224 3.15 .908 0 4271 31 Marcel Cousineau 13 3 5 1 317 31 3.29 .902 1 566 33 Don Beaupre 3 0 3 0 60 10 5.46 .833 0 110 Awards and records Awards TypeAward/honourRecipientRef League(annual) NHL All-Rookie Team Sergei Berezin (Forward)Postseason All-Star Teams https://records.nhl.com/awards/phwa-all-star-teams?season=19961997 records.nhl.com July 27, 2023 League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Mats Sundin1997 NHL All-Star Game Rosters https://www.hockey-reference.com/allstar/NHL_1997_roster.html Hockey-Reference.com August 29, 2024 NHL Rookie of the Month Steve Sullivan (March)NHL Rookies of the Month https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/rookiemonthly.html Hockey-Reference.com July 27, 2023 Team Molson Cup Felix PotvinToronto Maple Leafs 2015–16 Media Guide, p.373 Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Sergei Berezin October 5, 19961996-97 NHL Debuts https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1997_debut.html Hockey-Reference.com October 7, 2024 Fredrik Modin Jeff Ware Marcel Cousineau November 21, 1996 John Craighead Brian Wiseman December 14, 1996 David Cooper December 15, 1996 Shayne Toporowski January 7, 1997 Nathan Dempsey January 31, 1997 Mike Johnson March 16, 1997 D. J. Smith March 26, 1997 Yannick Tremblay March 27, 1997 1,000th game played Doug Gilmour November 16, 19961982 NHL Entry Draft -- Doug Gilmour https://www.hockeydraftcentral.com/1982/82134.html www.hockeydraftcentral.com July 27, 2023 Played in his 1,000th career NHL game for Toronto on Nov. 16, 1996, at Phoenix. Transactions The Maple Leafs have been involved in the following transactions during the 1996–97 season. Trades October 10, 1996To New York Islanders5th round pick in 1998 (Jiri Dopita)To Toronto Maple LeafsDarby Hendrickson January 31, 1997To Tampa Bay Lightning3rd round pick in 1998 (Alex Henry)To Toronto Maple LeafsCraig Wolanin February 25, 1997To New Jersey DevilsDoug Gilmour Dave Ellett 3rd round pick in 1999 (Andre Lakos)To Toronto Maple LeafsJason Smith Alyn McCauley Steve Sullivan March 18, 1997To Detroit Red WingsLarry MurphyTo Toronto Maple LeafsFuture Considerations March 18, 1997To Florida PanthersKirk MullerTo Toronto Maple LeafsJason Podollan March 18, 1997To Hartford Whalers8th round pick in 1998 (Jaroslav Svoboda)To Toronto Maple LeafsKelly Chase June 12, 1997To Florida PanthersMike LankshearTo Toronto Maple LeafsPer Gustafsson Waivers September 30, 1996From Edmonton OilersRalph Intranuovo October 25, 1996To Edmonton OilersRalph Intranuovo Free agents Player Former team John Craighead Detroit Vipers (IHL) Scott Pearson Buffalo Sabres Brian Wiseman Chicago Wolves (IHL) Daniel Marois Dallas Stars Greg Smyth Los Angeles Ice Dogs (IHL) David Cooper Buffalo Sabres Tom Pederson San Jose Sharks Mike Johnson Undrafted free agent Player New team Paul DiPietro Los Angeles Kings Draft picks Toronto's picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.1996 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl1996e.html www.hockeydb.com July 27, 2023 Round # Name Nationality College/Junior/Club team 2 36Marek PosmykDukla Jihlava (Czech Republic) 2 50Francis LariveeCanadaLaval Titan (QMJHL) 3 66Mike LankshearCanadaGuelph Storm (OHL) 3 68Konstantin KalmikovDetroit Falcons (CoHL) 4 86Jason SessaUnited StatesLake Superior State University (CCHA) 4 103Vladimir AntipovRussiaTorpedo Yaroslavl (Russia) 5 110Peter CavaCanadaSault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) 5 111Brandon SugdenCanadaLondon Knights (OHL) 6 140Dmytro YakushynUkrainePembroke Lumber Kings (COJHL) 6 148Chris BogasUnited StatesMichigan State University (CCHA) 6 151Lucio DeMartinisCanadaShawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) 7 178Reggie BergUnited StatesUniversity of Minnesota (WCHA) 8 204Tomas KaberleHC Kladno (Czech Republic) 9 230Jared HopeCanadaSpokane Chiefs (WHL) Farm teams The Maple Leafs farm team was the St. John's Maple Leafs, based in St. John's, Newfoundland. References Toronto Maple Leafs 1996-97 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000381997.html www.hockeydb.com July 24, 2023 1996-97 Toronto Maple Leafs Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/TOR/1997.html Hockey-Reference.com July 24, 2023 Category:Toronto Maple Leafs seasons Toronto Maple Leafs season, 1996-97 Toronto