2014–15 Toronto Maple Leafs season

The 2014–15 Toronto Maple Leafs season was the 98th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on November 22, 1917.[2] This was the second year of the new alignment and schedule format. Toronto again played every team in their own division at least four times, every team in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference three times, and every team from the Western Conference twice. To complete the 82-game schedule, they played both Ottawa and Detroit five times.

2014–15 Toronto Maple Leafs
Division7th Atlantic
Conference15th Eastern
2014–15 record30–44–8
Home record22–17–2
Road record8–27–6
Goals for211
Goals against262
Team information
General managerDave Nonis
CoachRandy Carlyle (Oct.–Jan.)
Peter Horachek (interim, Jan.–Apr.)
CaptainDion Phaneuf
Alternate captainsJoffrey Lupul
Stephane Robidas[a]
ArenaAir Canada Centre
Average attendance19,076 (94.1%)[1]
(36 games)
Team leaders
GoalsJames van Riemsdyk (27)
AssistsPhil Kessel (36)
PointsPhil Kessel (61)
Penalty minutesDion Phaneuf (108)
Plus/minusDaniel Winnik (+14)
WinsJonathan Bernier (21)
Goals against averageJonathan Bernier (2.87)

On March 23, 2015, a 13-year long sellout streak ended; only 18,336 fans showed up for the evening match against the Minnesota Wild.[3] Ticket prices for the game were reduced earlier in the day.

Despite remaining in the playoff hunt for the first half of the season, the Leafs finished the season with only 68 points, tied for the fewest earned since the NHL began playing 82 games per season in the 1995-96 season. The day after the regular season ended, April 12, 2015, Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan kept good on his promise of a scorched earth rebuild, as general manager Dave Nonis and interim head coach Peter Horachek were terminated from their positions. Also terminated were coaches Steve Spott, Chris Dennis and Rick St. Croix; director of player development Jim Hughes and director of pro scouting Steve Kasper, as well as Rob Cowie and 18 other scouts.[4][5][6][7] Later in the day, strength and conditioning coach Anthony Belza was fired.

On May 20, 2015, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that Mike Babcock would be the team's new head coach, signing him to an eight-year, $50 million contract.[8]

Off-season

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On May 8, 2014, general manager Dave Nonis announced that Randy Carlyle had accepted a contract extension to continue as head coach through the 2016–17 season, however Carlyle's assistant coaches, Greg Cronin, Scott Gordon and Dave Farrish were all released by the team.[9]

On July 22, 2014, Brendan Shanahan let go former assistant general managers Claude Loiselle and Dave Poulin and named Kyle Dubas as the new assistant general manager. At the time of the hire, Dubas was 28 years old. He was formerly the general manager of the Ontario Hockey League's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.[10]

Many players were signed, lost and traded during free agency. See Transactions for a list of lost and acquired players.

Standings

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Atlantic Division
Pos Team GP W L OTL ROW GF GA GD Pts
1 y – Montreal Canadiens 82 50 22 10 43 221 189 +32 110
2 x – Tampa Bay Lightning 82 50 24 8 47 262 211 +51 108
3 x – Detroit Red Wings 82 43 25 14 39 235 221 +14 100
4 x – Ottawa Senators 82 43 26 13 37 238 215 +23 99
5 Boston Bruins 82 41 27 14 37 213 211 +2 96
6 Florida Panthers 82 38 29 15 30 206 223 −17 91
7 Toronto Maple Leafs 82 30 44 8 25 211 262 −51 68
8 Buffalo Sabres 82 23 51 8 15 161 274 −113 54
Source: National Hockey League
x – Clinched playoff spot; y – Clinched division
Eastern Conference Wild Card
Pos Div Team GP W L OTL ROW GF GA GD Pts
1 AT x – Ottawa Senators 82 43 26 13 37 238 215 +23 99
2 ME x – Pittsburgh Penguins 82 43 27 12 39 221 210 +11 98
3 AT Boston Bruins 82 41 27 14 37 213 211 +2 96
4 AT Florida Panthers 82 38 29 15 30 206 223 −17 91
5 ME Columbus Blue Jackets 82 42 35 5 33 236 250 −14 89
6 ME Philadelphia Flyers 82 33 31 18 30 215 234 −19 84
7 ME New Jersey Devils 82 32 36 14 27 181 216 −35 78
8 ME Carolina Hurricanes 82 30 41 11 25 188 226 −38 71
9 AT Toronto Maple Leafs 82 30 44 8 25 211 262 −51 68
10 AT Buffalo Sabres 82 23 51 8 15 161 274 −113 54
Source: National Hockey League
x – Clinched playoff spot

Record vs opponents

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Eastern Conference Western Conference
Atlantic Division Metropolitan Division Central Division Pacific Division
Team Home Away Team Home Away Team Home Away Team Home Away
Boston 1–4 6–1 4–3* 1–2* Carolina 1–4 1–4 1–2 Chicago 3–2 0–4 Anaheim 6–2 0–4
Buffalo 4–0 4–3* 2–6 3–4 Columbus 5–2 4–1 0–5 Colorado 3–2* 3–4* Arizona 1–3 2–3
Detroit 1–4 4–1 4–1 0–1* 2–1* New Jersey 3–5 1–2* 1–4 Dallas 5–3 4–0 Calgary 4–1 3–6
Florida 2–3 1–4 4–6 3–2 N.Y. Islanders 3–4* 5–2 2–3 Minnesota 1–2 1–3 Edmonton 5–1 1–4
Montreal 3–4 3–4* 1–2* 0–4 N.Y. Rangers 5–4 4–5 6–3 Nashville 2–9 3–4 Los Angeles 4–3* 0–2
Ottawa 4–3* 3–2* 5–3 3–4 3–5 Philadelphia 4–7 3–2 0–1 St. Louis 1–6 0–3 San Jose 1–4 1–3
Tampa Bay 5–2 3–1 2–3 2–4 Pittsburgh 2–5 1–2 3–4* Winnipeg 4–3* 1–5 Vancouver 5–2 1–4
Washington 6–2 2–6 0–4
Records 9–5–1 4–8–3 4–7–1 3–7–2 4–3–0 1–5–1 5–2–0 0–7–0
Division 13–13–4 7–14–3 5–8–1 5–9–0
Conference 20–27–7 (Home: 13–12–2; Away: 7–15–5) 10–17–1 (Home: 9–5–0; Away: 1–12–1)
Overall 30–44–8 (Home: 22–17–2; Away: 8–27–6)

(* game decided in overtime or shoot-out)

Suspensions/fines

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Player Explanation Length Salary Date issued
Carter Ashton Violating the terms of the NHL/NHL Players' Association Performance Enhancing Substances Program. 20 games $169,185.00 November 6, 2014[11]
Richard Panik Diving/Embellishment during NHL Game No. 939 in Washington on Sunday, March 1, 2015, at 10:57 of the second period. $2,000.00 March 5, 2015[12]
Nazem Kadri Illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Fraser during NHL game No. 1039 in Edmonton on Monday, March 16, 2015, at 10:58 of the third period. 4 games $141,463.40 March 18, 2015[13]

Schedule and results

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Pre-season

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Regular season

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2014–15 Game Log: 30–44–8, 68 points (Home: 22–17–2 ; Road: 8–27–6)

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

Overtime statistics

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Games Won Lost Game Winning Goal Scorers
Overtime 6 3 3 Kessel (1), van Riemsdyk (1), Brewer (1)
Shootout 10 5 5
16 8 8

Player statistics

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Final stats[14]

Skaters

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Goaltenders

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Regular Season
Player GP GS TOI W L OT GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Jonathan Bernier 58 55 3177 21 28 7 152 2.87 1735 .912 2 0 1 0
James Reimer 35 27 1767 9 16 1 93 3.16 1001 .907 0 0 0 2

Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Maple Leafs. Stats reflect time with the Maple Leafs only.
Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Maple Leafs only.
Bold/italics denotes franchise record.

Notable achievements

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Awards

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Milestones

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Transactions

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The Maple Leafs have been involved in the following transactions during the 2014–15 season.

Trades

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Date
Details
June 28, 2014
[16]
To St. Louis Blues
Carl Gunnarsson
Calgary's 4th-round pick in 2014 (Ville Husso)
To Toronto Maple Leafs
Roman Polak
July 1, 2014
[17]
To Columbus Blue Jackets
Jerry D'Amigo
Conditional 7th-round pick in 2015
To Toronto Maple Leafs
Matt Frattin
February 6, 2015
[18]
To Tampa Bay Lightning
David Broll
Carter Ashton
To Toronto Maple Leafs
Conditional 7th-round pick in 2016
February 15, 2015
[19]
To Nashville Predators
Cody Franson
Mike Santorelli
To Toronto Maple Leafs
Olli Jokinen
Brendan Leipsic
1st-round pick in 2015
February 25, 2015
[20]
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Daniel Winnik
To Toronto Maple Leafs
Zach Sill
4th-round pick in 2015
2nd-round pick in 2016
February 26, 2015
[21]
To Chicago Blackhawks
Spencer Abbott
To Toronto Maple Leafs
T. J. Brennan
February 26, 2015
[22]
To Columbus Blue Jackets
David Clarkson
To Toronto Maple Leafs
Nathan Horton
March 2, 2015
[23]
To St. Louis Blues
Olli Jokinen
To Toronto Maple Leafs
Joakim Lindstrom
Conditional 6th-round pick in 2016
March 2, 2015
[24]
To Anaheim Ducks
Korbinian Holzer
To Toronto Maple Leafs
Eric Brewer
5th-round pick in 2016
June 19, 2015
[25]
To Florida Panthers
Greg McKegg
To Toronto Maple Leafs
Zach Hyman
Conditional 7th-round pick in 2017

Player signings

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Date Player Contract terms
(in U.S. dollars)
Ref
July 3, 2014 Troy Bodie 1 year, $600,000 [27]
July 3, 2014 Antoine Bibeau 3-year, $1.965 million entry-level contract [43]
July 10, 2014 Trevor Smith 1 year, $550,000 [44]
July 10, 2014 Rinat Valiev 3-year, $2,427,500 entry-level contract [44]
July 11, 2014 Jamie Devane 2 years, $1.15 million [45]
July 16, 2014 Peter Holland 2 years, $1.55 million [46]
July 16, 2014 Carter Ashton 1 year, $850,500 [47]
July 21, 2014 Cody Franson 1 year, $3.3 million [48]
July 25, 2014 James Reimer 2 years, $4.6 million [49]
July 29, 2014 Jake Gardiner 5 years, $20.25 million [50]
August 18, 2014 William Nylander 3-year, entry-level contract [51]
September 9, 2014 Spencer Abbott 1 year [52]
May 25, 2015 Sam Carrick 1 year [53]
June 4, 2015 Andreas Johnsson 3 years, entry-level contract [54]
June 4, 2015 T. J. Brennan 1 year [54]
June 23, 2015 Petter Granberg 1 year [55]
June 23, 2015 Tim Erixon 1 year [55]
June 23, 2015 Zach Hyman 2 years, entry-level contract [55]

Other

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Name Date Details
Peter Horachek[56] July 11, 2014 Named as an Assistant Coach
Steve Spott[56] July 11, 2014 Named as an Assistant Coach
Kyle Dubas[57] July 22, 2014 Named as an Assistant General Manager

Despite the Leafs usual loyal fan base, there have been several occurrences in the 2014–15 season where fans have thrown Leafs jerseys onto the ice to show disgust for horrid team performance. It has been said that this action is "classless" and "disrespectful" by many, as well as dangerous for players who have the potential to get hurt from skating over top of the jerseys. Fans who take part in this action can be faced with a hefty fine as well as being banned from all Air Canada Centre events for one year.[58]

Draft picks

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The 2014 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 27–28, 2014 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 8 William Nylander (C/LW)   Sweden Modo Hockey (SHL)
3 68 Rinat Valiev D   Russia Kootenay Ice (WHL)
4 103[a] J. J. Piccinich RW   United States Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
5 128 Dakota Joshua C   United States Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
6 158 Nolan Vesey LW   United States South Shore Kings (USPHL Premier)
7 188 Pierre Engvall LW   Sweden Frölunda HC Jr. (SWE)

Draft notes

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  • The Toronto Maple Leafs' second-round pick went to the Anaheim Ducks as the result of a trade on November 16, 2013, that sent Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz to Toronto in exchange for Jesse Blacker, Anaheim's seventh round pick in 2014 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[59] The condition – Anaheim would receive a second-round pick in 2014 if Holland played in 25 or more games for the Maple Leafs during the 2013–14 season – was converted on January 18, 2014.
  • The Toronto Maple Leafs' fourth-round pick went to the Chicago Blackhawks as the result of a trade June 30, 2013, that sent Dave Bolland to Toronto in exchange for a second-round pick in 2013, Anaheim's fourth round pick in 2013 and this pick.[60]
  • a The Arizona Coyotes' fourth round pick went to the Toronto Maple Leafs as the result of a trade on January 16, 2013, that sent Matthew Lombardi to Phoenix in exchange for this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[61] The condition – If Lombardi did not re-sign with Phoenix for the 2013–14 season, then Toronto would receive a fourth-round pick in 2014 – was converted on August 29, 2013.[62]

Notes

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  1. ^ During injuries to these players, alternate captaincy was handed to one of Tyler Bozak, David Clarkson, and Roman Polak, with each having served at least once.

References

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  1. ^ "2014–2015 NHL Attendance – National Hockey League – ESPN". ESPN.
  2. ^ National Hockey League (2010). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011. Triumph Books. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-60078-422-4.
  3. ^ "Maple Leafs' 13-year sellout streak ends Monday vs. Wild". theScore. March 23, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  4. ^ "Maple Leafs announce organizational changes". Toronto Maple Leafs. April 12, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  5. ^ "Mark Spector on Twitter". April 12, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  6. ^ "Ryan Fabro on Twitter". April 12, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  7. ^ "Maple Leafs announce changes to scouting staff". Toronto Maple Leafs. April 12, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  8. ^ "Mike Babcock hired by Maple Leafs as coach". May 20, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  9. ^ "Maple Leafs extend contract of coach Carlyle".
  10. ^ McGran, Kevin. "Maple Leafs shake up front office, hire stats guru Kyle Dubas, 28, as assistant GM", Toronto Star, Toronto, 22 July 2014. Retrieved on 24 July 2014.
  11. ^ "Maple Leafs forward Ashton suspended 20 games". NHL. November 6, 2014. Archived from the original on November 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "Leafs' Panik fined $2,000 for diving/embellishment". NHL. March 5, 2015.
  13. ^ "Kadri suspended four games for illegal check". NHL. March 18, 2015.
  14. ^ "2014–2015 Regular Season Stats – Points – Toronto Maple Leafs – Statistics". Toronto Maple Leafs. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  15. ^ "2015 NHL All-Star selections highlighted by three Columbus Blue Jackets". NHL. January 10, 2015.
  16. ^ "Leafs Acquire Polak From Blues For Gunnarsson". Mapleleafs.nhl.com. June 28, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  17. ^ "Leafs Acquire Matt Frattin For Jerry D'Amigo". Mapleleafs.nhl.com. July 1, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  18. ^ "Leafs send Ashton, Broll to Tampa Bay". Mapleleafs.nhl.com. February 6, 2015. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  19. ^ "Leafs acquire draft pick, Leipsic and Jokinen from Predators". Mapleleafs.nhl.com. February 15, 2015. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  20. ^ "Maple Leafs acquire Sill and draft picks from Pittsburgh". Mapleleafs.nhl.com. February 25, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  21. ^ "Maple Leafs Acquire Brennan from Chicago". Mapleleafs.nhl.com. February 26, 2015. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  22. ^ "Maple Leafs acquire Nathan Horton from Columbus". Mapleleafs.nhl.com. February 26, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  23. ^ "Maple Leafs acquire Lindstrom and conditional pick from Blues". Toronto Maple Leafs. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  24. ^ "Maple Leafs acquire Brewer and draft pick from Anaheim". Toronto Maple Leafs. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  25. ^ "Leafs acquire Zach Hyman and draft pick from Florida". Toronto Maple Leafs. June 19, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  26. ^ a b Leafs Sign Robidas & Komarov
  27. ^ a b c Leafs Sign Kontiola, Santorelli & Bodie
  28. ^ Leafs Sign David Booth To One-Year Contract
  29. ^ Leafs Sign Daniel Winnik
  30. ^ Leafs Sign Donaghey To Three-Year Entry Level Contract
  31. ^ "Maple Leafs sign Nikita Soshnikov to three-year contract". Toronto Maple Leafs. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  32. ^ "Maple Leafs sign free agent forward Casey Bailey". Toronto Maple Leafs. March 21, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  33. ^ Islanders sign Johnson, Brennan, Conacher
  34. ^ C Dave Bolland Agrees to Five-Year Contract with Florida Panthers
  35. ^ Flames sign forward Mason Raymond
  36. ^ Hurricanes Agree to Terms with MacIntyre
  37. ^ Islanders Agree to Terms with Kulemin
  38. ^ Hurricanes Agree to Terms with McClement
  39. ^ Canes Agree to Terms with Tim Gleason
  40. ^ RANGER LEAVES MAPLE LEAFS TO PLAY IN SWITZERLAND
  41. ^ Leafs Claim Richard Panik, Assign Leivo, Bodie To Marlies
  42. ^ Maple Leafs claim Tim Erixon from Chicago
  43. ^ "Maple Leafs sign goaltender Antoine Bibeau to entry-level contract". The Toronto Star. June 3, 2014.
  44. ^ a b Maple Leafs Sign Trevor Smith
  45. ^ Maple Leafs Sign Jamie Devane
  46. ^ Leafs Sign Peter Holland
  47. ^ LEAFS, HOLLAND AGREE TO TWO-YEAR DEAL; ASHTON ACCEPTS OFFER
  48. ^ Leafs Agree To Terms With Franson
  49. ^ Leafs, Reimer Agree To Terms
  50. ^ Leafs Agree To Terms With Gardiner
  51. ^ Leafs Sign Nylander To Entry Level Contract
  52. ^ Leafs Sign Spencer Abbott
  53. ^ Maple Leafs sign Sam Carrick
  54. ^ a b Maple Leafs sign Johnson; re-sign Brennan
  55. ^ a b c Maple Leafs sign Granberg, Erixon and agree on terms with Hyman
  56. ^ a b Leafs Appoint Horachek and Spott As Assistant Coaches
  57. ^ Leafs Name Kyle Dubas Assistant General Manager
  58. ^ Zwolinski, Mark (January 20, 2015). "Three fans charged after Maple Leafs jerseys tossed on ice". The Toronto Star.
  59. ^ "Leafs Acquire Holland, Staubitz From Anaheim". November 16, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  60. ^ "MAPLE LEAFS TRADE THREE PICKS TO BLACKHAWKS FOR F BOLLAND". TSN. June 30, 2013. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  61. ^ "Leafs Deal Lombardi for Pick". Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  62. ^ "Lombardi signs one-year deal in Switzerland". Sportsnet. August 29, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.