The
1988–89 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. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...
season was Toronto's 72nd season in the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey sports league, league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranke ...
(NHL). Toronto made a late season push for the playoffs under interim head coach (and former captain)
George Armstrong but an overtime loss in the final regular season game at the
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 Divisio ...
kept them out of the postseason for the first time since
1984–85.
Off-season
NHL Draft
Regular season
The 1988–89 Maple Leafs season was a disastrous one that saw
John Brophy fired as head coach midway through the season. Interim head coach
George Armstrong led the Leafs close to the playoffs, but they eventually missed out after losing to the
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 Divisio ...
in the final game of the regular season. The Leafs needed a win against Chicago to clinch a playoff berth, but a
Troy Murray
Troy Norman Murray (born July 31, 1962) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the NHL. He is currently the color analyst on NBC Sports Chicago broadcasts of Chicago Blackhawks hockey games. Murray was born in Calgary, A ...
overtime goal ended Toronto's season.
The Maple Leafs finished the regular season last in the NHL in power play goals scored (56), power play opportunities (334), power play percentage (16.77%) and penalty-killing percentage (72.70%).
* November 7, 1988 – The Maple Leafs traded RW Russ Courtnall to Montreal for RW John Kordic and a 6th-round choice (Michael Doers)
* Ken Wregget was traded by Maple Leafs to Philadelphia Flyers for two first-round picks (RW Rob Pearson and D Steve Bancroft) in 1989 draft, March 6, 1989.
Final standings
Schedule and results
Playoffs
The Maple Leafs did not qualify for the playoffs.
Player statistics
Forwards
''Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points''
Defencemen
''Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points''
Goaltending
''Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against''
Transactions
The Maple Leafs have been involved in the following transactions in the 1988–89 season.
Trades
Waivers
Free agents
Awards and records
* Gary Leeman,
Molson Cup (Most game star selections for Toronto Maple Leafs)
References
Maple Leafs on Hockey Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:1988-89 Toronto Maple Leafs season
Toronto Maple Leafs seasons
Toronto Maple Leafs season, 1988-89
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...