The 1996–97

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

season was Toronto's 80th season in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

(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 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 Douglas Robert Gilmour (born June 25, 1963) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for seven different teams. Gilmour was a seventh round selection, 134th overall, of the ...

to the

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

in February.

Offseason

Regular season

Season standings

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , October 5, 1996, , 4–1 , , align="left",

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: Businesses *Mighty Audio, an American company known for its product ''Mighty'', a portable audio player *Mighty Animation, an animation studio based in Guadalajara, Mexico Films *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy–drama * ''The ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–0–0 , , , - , 2, , October 8, 1996, , 2–4 , , align="left",

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–1–0 , , , - , 3, , October 12, 1996, , 4–7 , , align="left",

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–2–0 , , , - , 4, , October 15, 1996, , 1–3 , , align="left",

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–3–0 , , , - , 5, , October 17, 1996, , 1–6 , , align="left", @

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–4–0 , , , - , 6, , October 19, 1996, , 0–2 , , align="left", @

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–5–0 , , , - , 7, , October 22, 1996, , 4–3 , , align="left",

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

( 1996–97) , , 2–5–0 , , , - , 8, , October 24, 1996, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–5–0 , , , - , 9, , October 26, 1996, , 5–2 , , align="left",

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...

( 1996–97) , , 4–5–0 , , , - , 10, , October 29, 1996, , 2–5 , , align="left",

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 1996–97) , , 4–6–0 , , , - , 11, , October 31, 1996, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 1996–97) , , 5–6–0 , , , - , - , 12, , November 2, 1996, , 6–2 , , align="left",

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1996–97) , , 6–6–0 , , , - , 13, , November 5, 1996, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 7–6–0 , , , - , 14, , November 7, 1996, , 2–6 , , align="left", @

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...

( 1996–97) , , 7–7–0 , , , - , 15, , November 9, 1996, , 7–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 8–7–0 , , , - , 16, , November 10, 1996, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 1996–97) , , 8–8–0 , , , - , 17, , November 13, 1996, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 8–9–0 , , , - , 18, , November 14, 1996, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 8–10–0 , , , - , 19, , November 16, 1996, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 8–11–0 , , , - , 20, , November 19, 1996, , 4–3 , , align="left",

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1996–97) , , 9–11–0 , , , - , 21, , November 21, 1996, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 9–12–0 , , , - , 22, , November 23, 1996, , 3–4 , , align="left",

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1996–97) , , 9–13–0 , , , - , 23, , November 26, 1996, , 3–2 , , align="left",

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 1996–97) , , 10–13–0 , , , - , 24, , November 27, 1996, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 10–14–0 , , , - , 25, , November 30, 1996, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 10–15–0 , , , - , - , 26, , December 3, 1996, , 2–0 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 11–15–0 , , , - , 27, , December 6, 1996, , 5–6 , , align="left", @

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 1996–97) , , 11–16–0 , , , - , 28, , December 7, 1996, , 0–4 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 11–17–0 , , , - , 29, , December 9, 1996, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 12–17–0 , , , - , 30, , December 10, 1996, , 2–5 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 12–18–0 , , , - , 31, , December 14, 1996, , 3–5 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 12–19–0 , , , - , 32, , December 15, 1996, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 12–20–0 , , , - , 33, , December 17, 1996, , 6–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 13–20–0 , , , - , 34, , December 20, 1996, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 13–21–0 , , , - , 35, , December 21, 1996, , 6–2 , , align="left", @

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...

( 1996–97) , , 14–21–0 , , , - , 36, , December 23, 1996, , 5–6 , , align="left",

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 1996–97) , , 14–22–0 , , , - , 37, , December 27, 1996, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 15–22–0 , , , - , 38, , December 28, 1996, , 5–4 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 16–22–0 , , , - , 39, , December 30, 1996, , 2–0 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 17–22–0 , , , - , - , 40, , January 3, 1997, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 17–23–0 , , , - , 41, , January 4, 1997, , 3–7 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 17–24–0 , , , - , 42, , January 7, 1997, , 3–4 OT, , align="left", @

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 1996–97) , , 17–25–0 , , , - , 43, , January 11, 1997, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 17–26–0 , , , - , 44, , January 13, 1997, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

( 1996–97) , , 17–27–0 , , , - , 45, , January 15, 1997, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 17–28–0 , , , - , 46, , January 20, 1997, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...

( 1996–97) , , 17–29–0 , , , - , 47, , January 22, 1997, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 18–29–0 , , , - , 48, , January 24, 1997, , 2–1 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 19–29–0 , , , - , 49, , January 25, 1997, , 1–5 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 19–30–0 , , , - , 50, , January 27, 1997, , 2–5 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 19–31–0 , , , - , 51, , January 29, 1997, , 0–4 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 19–32–0 , , , - , 52, , January 31, 1997, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 19–32–1 , , , - , - , 53, , February 1, 1997, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 19–33–1 , , , - , 54, , February 5, 1997, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 20–33–1 , , , - , 55, , February 8, 1997, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 21–33–1 , , , - , 56, , February 12, 1997, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 21–34–1 , , , - , 57, , February 13, 1997, , 4–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 21–34–2 , , , - , 58, , February 15, 1997, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 21–35–2 , , , - , 59, , February 18, 1997, , 6–5 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 22–35–2 , , , - , 60, , February 19, 1997, , 5–6 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 22–36–2 , , , - , 61, , February 22, 1997, , 5–1 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 23–36–2 , , , - , 62, , February 26, 1997, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 23–37–2 , , , - , - , 63, , March 1, 1997, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 24–37–2 , , , - , 64, , March 3, 1997, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 25–37–2 , , , - , 65, , March 5, 1997, , 4–4 OT, , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 25–37–3 , , , - , 66, , March 8, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 25–37–4 , , , - , 67, , March 10, 1997, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 25–37–5 , , , - , 68, , March 12, 1997, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 25–38–5 , , , - , 69, , March 15, 1997, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...

( 1996–97) , , 25–38–6 , , , - , 70, , March 16, 1997, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 26–38–6 , , , - , 71, , March 19, 1997, , 3–6 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 26–39–6 , , , - , 72, , March 20, 1997, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 26–40–6 , , , - , 73, , March 22, 1997, , 0–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 26–41–6 , , , - , 74, , March 26, 1997, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 27–41–6 , , , - , 75, , March 27, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 27–41–7 , , , - , 76, , March 29, 1997, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 28–41–7 , , , - , - , 77, , April 2, 1997, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 29–41–7 , , , - , 78, , April 3, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 29–41–8 , , , - , 79, , April 5, 1997, , 2–4 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 29–42–8 , , , - , 80, , April 9, 1997, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 29–43–8 , , , - , 81, , April 10, 1997, , 1–5 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 29–44–8 , , , - , 82, , April 12, 1997, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 30–44–8 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C =

Centre Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentricity ...

; D =

Defence Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense indust ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = 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.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

The Maple Leafs have been involved in the following transactions during the 1996–97 season.

Trades

Waivers

Free agents

Draft picks

Toronto's picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the

Kiel Center The Enterprise Center is an 18,096-seat arena located in Downtown St. Louis, downtown St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Its primary tenant is the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League, but it is also used for other functions, such as ...

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

Farm teams

The Maple Leafs farm team was the

St. John's Maple Leafs The St. John's Maple Leafs were a minor ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, at Memorial Stadium from 1991 to 2001, and at Mile One Stadium from 2001 to 2005. The team was ...

, based in St. John's, Newfoundland.

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 Toronto Maple Leafs season Toronto Maple Leafs seasons Toronto Maple Leafs season, 1996-97

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...