1996–97 Toronto Maple Leafs season

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

Schedule and results

|1||October 5, 1996||4–1 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||1–0–0 ||

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

|3||October 12, 1996||4–7 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||1–2–0 ||

|4||October 15, 1996||1–3 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||1–3–0 ||

|5||October 17, 1996||1–6 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||1–4–0 ||

|6||October 19, 1996||0–2 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||1–5–0 ||

|7||October 22, 1996||4–3 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||2–5–0 ||

|8||October 24, 1996||2–1 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||3–5–0 ||

|9||October 26, 1996||5–2 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||4–5–0 ||

|10||October 29, 1996||2–5 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||4–6–0 ||

|11||October 31, 1996||5–3 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1996–97) ||5–6–0 ||

|12||November 2, 1996||6–2 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||6–6–0 ||

|13||November 5, 1996||6–3 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||7–6–0 ||

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

|15||November 9, 1996||7–3 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||8–7–0 ||

|16||November 10, 1996||1–3 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||8–8–0 ||

|17||November 13, 1996||2–3 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||8–9–0 ||

|18||November 14, 1996||1–4 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||8–10–0 ||

|19||November 16, 1996||2–3 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||8–11–0 ||

|20||November 19, 1996||4–3 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) ||9–11–0 ||

|21||November 21, 1996||3–6 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) ||9–12–0 ||

|22||November 23, 1996||3–4 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||9–13–0 ||

|23||November 26, 1996||3–2 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||10–13–0 ||

|24||November 27, 1996||2–5 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||10–14–0 ||

|25||November 30, 1996||2–5 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||10–15–0 ||

|26||December 3, 1996||2–0 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||11–15–0 ||

|27||December 6, 1996||5–6 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1996–97) ||11–16–0 ||

|28||December 7, 1996||0–4 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1996–97) ||11–17–0 ||

|29||December 9, 1996||3–1 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||12–17–0 ||

|30||December 10, 1996||2–5 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||12–18–0 ||

|31||December 14, 1996||3–5 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||12–19–0 ||

|32||December 15, 1996||1–3 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||12–20–0 ||

|33||December 17, 1996||6–3 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||13–20–0 ||

|34||December 20, 1996||2–5 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||13–21–0 ||

|35||December 21, 1996||6–2 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||14–21–0 ||

|36||December 23, 1996||5–6 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||14–22–0 ||

|37||December 27, 1996||3–2 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||15–22–0 ||

|38||December 28, 1996||5–4 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||16–22–0 ||

|39||December 30, 1996||2–0 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1996–97) ||17–22–0 ||

|40||January 3, 1997||3–4 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||17–23–0 ||

|41||January 4, 1997||3–7 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||17–24–0 ||

|42||January 7, 1997||3–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||17–25–0 ||

|43||January 11, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||17–26–0 ||

|44||January 13, 1997||3–6 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||17–27–0 ||

|45||January 15, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||17–28–0 ||

|46||January 20, 1997||1–3 || align="left"| @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||17–29–0 ||

|47||January 22, 1997||5–3 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||18–29–0 ||

|48||January 24, 1997||2–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||19–29–0 ||

|49||January 25, 1997||1–5 || align="left"| Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||19–30–0 ||

|50||January 27, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||19–31–0 ||

|51||January 29, 1997||0–4 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||19–32–0 ||

|52||January 31, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) ||19–32–1 ||

|53||February 1, 1997||1–2 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (1996–97) ||19–33–1 ||

|54||February 5, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||20–33–1 ||

|55||February 8, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||21–33–1 ||

|56||February 12, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) ||21–34–1 ||

|57||February 13, 1997||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) ||21–34–2 ||

|58||February 15, 1997||0–3 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||21–35–2 ||

|59||February 18, 1997||6–5 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) ||22–35–2 ||

|60||February 19, 1997||5–6 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) ||22–36–2 ||

|61||February 22, 1997||5–1 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) ||23–36–2 ||

|62||February 26, 1997||1–3 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1996–97) ||23–37–2 ||

|63||March 1, 1997||3–2 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||24–37–2 ||

|64||March 3, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1996–97) ||25–37–2 ||

|65||March 5, 1997||4–4 OT|| align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||25–37–3 ||

|66||March 8, 1997||1–1 OT|| align="left"| Hartford Whalers (1996–97) ||25–37–4 ||

|67||March 10, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||25–37–5 ||

|68||March 12, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) ||25–38–5 ||

|69||March 15, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||25–38–6 ||

|70||March 16, 1997||3–1 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1996–97) ||26–38–6 ||

|71||March 19, 1997||3–6 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) ||26–39–6 ||

|72||March 20, 1997||3–6 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) ||26–40–6 ||

|73||March 22, 1997||0–3 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||26–41–6 ||

|74||March 26, 1997||2–1 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) ||27–41–6 ||

|75||March 27, 1997||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) ||27–41–7 ||

|76||March 29, 1997||3–2 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) ||28–41–7 ||

|77||April 2, 1997||3–1 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (1996–97) ||29–41–7 ||

|78||April 3, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||29–41–8 ||

|79||April 5, 1997||2–4 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) ||29–42–8 ||

|80||April 9, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) ||29–43–8 ||

|81||April 10, 1997||1–5 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) ||29–44–8 ||

|82||April 12, 1997||4–1 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1996–97) ||30–44–8 ||

Legend:

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. Player Regular season 13 C 82 41 53 94 6 59 93 C 61 15 45 60 −5 46 17 LW 65 30 19 49 −2 75 94 LW 73 25 16 41 −3 2 55 D 69 7 32 39 1 20 21 C 66 20 17 37 −23 85 8 LW 75 12 21 33 −3 41 28 RW 80 11 17 28 −17 275 9 RW 65 7 13 20 −20 62 14 C 64 11 6 17 −20 47 16 C 58 8 8 16 2 28 11 C 21 5 11 16 5 23 4 D 56 4 10 14 −8 34 36 D 74 4 10 14 −24 56 2 D 48 2 12 14 8 51 19 RW 76 6 7 13 −14 24 72 D 26 5 7 12 3 20 34 D 73 1 10 11 −14 93 12 RW 39 2 8 10 −9 20 10 RW 23 3 5 8 4 6 42 D 19 3 3 6 −3 16 32 LW 35 3 2 5 1 62 26 RW 20 1 4 5 −6 6 25 D 21 0 5 5 −4 16 20 RW 13 2 2 4 −2 4 3 D 36 0 4 4 −12 38 26 D 23 0 4 4 3 13 24 D 15 1 2 3 0 9 7 C 10 0 3 3 −2 6 29 G 74 0 3 3 19 43 LW 14 1 1 2 −2 2 7 C 22 0 2 2 −5 2 31 G 13 0 1 1 0 20 C 3 0 1 1 −1 0 4 D 8 0 1 1 −5 7 33 G 3 0 0 0 0 39 RW 2 0 0 0 0 27 44 RW 5 0 0 0 0 10 37 RW 7 0 0 0 −3 0 22 LW 1 0 0 0 0 2 25 D 2 0 0 0 0 0 41 RW 3 0 0 0 0 7 38 D 5 0 0 0 −4 0 23 D 13 0 0 0 2 6 15 C 5 0 0 0 0 0

Goaltending Player Regular season 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) League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Mats Sundin NHL Rookie of the Month Steve Sullivan (March) Team Molson Cup Felix PotvinToronto Maple Leafs 2015–16 Media Guide, p.373

Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Sergei Berezin October 5, 1996 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, 1996

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.