1997–98 Toronto Maple Leafs season

1997–98 Toronto Maple Leafs
Division6th Central
Conference12th Western
1997–98 record30–43–9
Home record16–20–5
Road record14–23–4
Goals for194
Goals against237
Team information
General managerKen Dryden
CoachMike Murphy
CaptainMats Sundin
Alternate captainsWendel Clark
Jamie Macoun (Oct.–Mar.)
Vacant (Mar.–Apr.)
ArenaMaple Leaf Gardens
Average attendance15,707
Minor league affiliate(s)St. John's Maple Leafs
Team leaders
GoalsMats Sundin (33)
AssistsMats Sundin (41)
PointsMats Sundin (74)
Penalty minutesTie Domi (365)
Plus/minusTodd Warriner (+5)
WinsFelix Potvin (26)
Goals against averageFelix Potvin (2.73)

The 1997–98 Toronto Maple Leafs season was Toronto's 81st season in the National Hockey League (NHL), their last full season playing at Maple Leaf Gardens, and their last season playing in the Western Conference. Just a few days before the season's start, Mats Sundin became their 17th captain and their first European captain in their 80-year history. The Maple Leafs did not qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Off-season

Regular season

Final standings

Central Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 1 Dallas Stars 82 49 22 11 242 167 109
2 3 Detroit Red Wings 82 44 23 15 250 196 103
3 4 St. Louis Blues 82 45 29 8 256 204 98
4 6 Phoenix Coyotes 82 35 35 12 224 227 82
5 9 Chicago Blackhawks 82 30 39 13 192 199 73
6 10 Toronto Maple Leafs 82 30 43 9 194 237 69
Western Conference[1]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – Dallas Stars CEN 82 49 22 11 242 167 109
2 x – Colorado Avalanche PAC 82 39 26 17 231 205 95
3 Detroit Red Wings CEN 82 44 23 15 250 196 103
4 St. Louis Blues CEN 82 45 29 8 256 204 98
5 Los Angeles Kings PAC 82 38 33 11 227 225 87
6 Phoenix Coyotes CEN 82 35 35 12 224 227 82
7 Edmonton Oilers PAC 82 35 37 10 215 224 80
8 San Jose Sharks PAC 82 34 38 10 210 216 78
9 Chicago Blackhawks CEN 82 30 39 13 192 199 73
10 Toronto Maple Leafs CEN 82 30 43 9 194 237 69
11 Calgary Flames PAC 82 26 41 15 217 252 67
12 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PAC 82 26 43 13 205 261 65
13 Vancouver Canucks PAC 82 25 43 14 224 273 64

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific

bold – Qualified for playoffs; x – Won Division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy


Schedule and results

1997–98 regular season[2]
October: 3–6–2 (home: 1–4–1; road: 2–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 L October 1, 1997 1–4 Washington Capitals (1997–98) 0–1–0 Recap
2 L October 4, 1997 0–3 @ New York Islanders (1997–98) 0–2–0 Recap
3 W October 7, 1997 2–1 @ Calgary Flames (1997–98) 1–2–0 Recap
4 T October 9, 1997 2–2 OT @ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) 1–2–1 Recap
5 L October 11, 1997 1–2 @ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) 1–3–1 Recap
6 L October 14, 1997 2–3 Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) 1–4–1 Recap
7 W October 15, 1997 4–3 @ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) 2–4–1 Recap
8 L October 18, 1997 4–5 Dallas Stars (1997–98) 2–5–1 Recap
9 L October 22, 1997 2–6 Ottawa Senators (1997–98) 2–6–1 Recap
10 W October 25, 1997 4–3 Calgary Flames (1997–98) 3–6–1 Recap
11 T October 28, 1997 2–2 OT Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) 3–6–2 Recap
November: 5–7–1 (home: 3–4–0; road: 2–3–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
12 L November 1, 1997 1–5 @ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) 3–7–2 Recap
13 T November 4, 1997 0–0 OT @ San Jose Sharks (1997–98) 3–7–3 Recap
14 W November 5, 1997 4–3 @ Calgary Flames (1997–98) 4–7–3 Recap
15 L November 8, 1997 0–3 Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) 4–8–3 Recap
16 W November 11, 1997 5–2 Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) 5–8–3 Recap
17 W November 13, 1997 2–1 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) 6–8–3 Recap
18 L November 15, 1997 0–5 Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) 6–9–3 Recap
19 L November 17, 1997 2–3 St. Louis Blues (1997–98) 6–10–3 Recap
20 W November 19, 1997 3–1 Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) 7–10–3 Recap
21 L November 21, 1997 1–3 @ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) 7–11–3 Recap
22 L November 22, 1997 0–2 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) 7–12–3 Recap
23 W November 25, 1997 3–1 San Jose Sharks (1997–98) 8–12–3 Recap
24 L November 29, 1997 2–4 Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) 8–13–3 Recap
December: 5–6–3 (home: 3–2–3; road: 2–4–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
25 T December 2, 1997 3–3 OT Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) 8–13–4 Recap
26 L December 4, 1997 3–4 @ St. Louis Blues (1997–98) 8–14–4 Recap
27 W December 6, 1997 7–2 Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) 9–14–4 Recap
28 W December 8, 1997 3–0 Dallas Stars (1997–98) 10–14–4 Recap
29 T December 10, 1997 2–2 OT Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) 10–14–5 Recap
30 L December 13, 1997 0–3 New Jersey Devils (1997–98) 10–15–5 Recap
31 L December 15, 1997 2–3 @ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) 10–16–5 Recap
32 W December 17, 1997 6–2 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) 11–16–5 Recap
33 L December 18, 1997 2–5 @ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) 11–17–5 Recap
34 W December 20, 1997 3–2 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) 12–17–5 Recap
35 W December 23, 1997 5–4 Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) 13–17–5 Recap
36 L December 26, 1997 1–4 @ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) 13–18–5 Recap
37 L December 27, 1997 1–8 Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) 13–19–5 Recap
38 T December 31, 1997 2–2 OT Boston Bruins (1997–98) 13–19–6 Recap
January: 4–8–1 (home: 1–3–0; road: 3–5–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
39 T January 1, 1998 3–3 OT @ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) 13–19–7 Recap
40 L January 3, 1998 2–4 @ New Jersey Devils (1997–98) 13–20–7 Recap
41 L January 6, 1998 3–5 @ Washington Capitals (1997–98) 13–21–7 Recap
42 W January 7, 1998 5–2 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) 14–21–7 Recap
43 L January 10, 1998 3–4 Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) 14–22–7 Recap
44 L January 12, 1998 2–3 @ New York Rangers (1997–98) 14–23–7 Recap
45 L January 14, 1998 1–4 Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) 14–24–7 Recap
46 W January 21, 1998 3–0 @ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) 15–24–7 Recap
47 W January 22, 1998 3–0 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) 16–24–7 Recap
48 W January 24, 1998 5–2 Tampa Bay Lightning (1997–98) 17–24–7 Recap
49 L January 26, 1998 1–5 @ Dallas Stars (1997–98) 17–25–7 Recap
50 L January 29, 1998 0–2 @ St. Louis Blues (1997–98) 17–26–7 Recap
51 L January 31, 1998 2–5 Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) 17–27–7 Recap
February: 3–3–1 (home: 3–2–0; road: 0–1–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
52 L February 2, 1998 1–5 Dallas Stars (1997–98) 17–28–7 Recap
53 W February 4, 1998 3–2 St. Louis Blues (1997–98) 18–28–7 Recap
54 L February 5, 1998 2–3 @ Ottawa Senators (1997–98) 18–29–7 Recap
55 W February 7, 1998 3–2 Florida Panthers (1997–98) 19–29–7 Recap
56 T February 25, 1998 2–2 OT @ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) 19–29–8 Recap
57 L February 26, 1998 2–5 New York Rangers (1997–98) 19–30–8 Recap
58 W February 28, 1998 4–0 Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) 20–30–8 Recap
March: 6–8–1 (home: 3–3–1; road: 3–5–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
59 L March 2, 1998 1–3 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) 20–31–8 Recap
60 L March 4, 1998 3–5 Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) 20–32–8 Recap
61 W March 7, 1998 4–1 Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) 21–32–8 Recap
62 L March 9, 1998 2–3 @ San Jose Sharks (1997–98) 21–33–8 Recap
63 W March 11, 1998 3–1 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) 22–33–8 Recap
64 W March 12, 1998 2–1 @ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) 23–33–8 Recap
65 W March 14, 1998 2–1 Calgary Flames (1997–98) 24–33–8 Recap
66 L March 16, 1998 1–4 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) 24–34–8 Recap
67 L March 18, 1998 2–5 Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) 24–35–8 Recap
68 L March 19, 1998 0–4 @ Boston Bruins (1997–98) 24–36–8 Recap
69 T March 21, 1998 1–1 OT Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) 24–36–9 Recap
70 L March 24, 1998 2–4 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) 24–37–9 Recap
71 W March 26, 1998 1–0 @ Dallas Stars (1997–98) 25–37–9 Recap
72 W March 28, 1998 4–3 OT New York Islanders (1997–98) 26–37–9 Recap
73 L March 30, 1998 2–3 Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) 26–38–9 Recap
April: 4–5–0 (home: 2–2–0; road: 2–3–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
74 L April 1, 1998 4–6 St. Louis Blues (1997–98) 26–39–9 Recap
75 L April 4, 1998 3–5 San Jose Sharks (1997–98) 26–40–9 Recap
76 L April 6, 1998 2–4 @ Dallas Stars (1997–98) 26–41–9 Recap
77 W April 7, 1998 3–1 @ Florida Panthers (1997–98) 27–41–9 Recap
78 L April 9, 1998 2–5 @ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) 27–42–9 Recap
79 W April 11, 1998 5–1 Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) 28–42–9 Recap
80 W April 15, 1998 3–2 Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) 29–42–9 Recap
81 L April 18, 1998 3–4 @ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) 29–43–9 Recap
82 W April 19, 1998 2–1 @ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) 30–43–9 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

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. Player Pos Regular season
GP G A Pts +/- PIM
13 Mats Sundin C 82 33 41 74 −3 49
20 Mike Johnson RW 82 15 32 47 −4 24
7 Derek King LW 77 21 25 46 −7 43
22 Igor Korolev RW 78 17 22 39 −18 22
72 Mathieu Schneider D 76 11 26 37 −12 44
19 Fredrik Modin RW 74 16 16 32 −5 32
94 Sergei Berezin LW 68 16 15 31 −3 10
11 Steve Sullivan C 63 10 18 28 −8 40
17 Wendel Clark LW 47 12 7 19 −21 80
18 Alyn McCauley C 60 6 10 16 −7 6
25 Jason Smith D 81 3 13 16 −5 100
28 Tie Domi RW 80 4 10 14 −5 365
8 Todd Warriner LW 45 5 8 13 5 20
14 Darby Hendrickson C 80 8 4 12 −20 67
36 Dmitri Yushkevich D 72 0 12 12 −13 78
3 Sylvain Cote† D 12 3 6 9 2 6
33 Jeff Brown†‡ D 19 1 8 9 2 10
55 Danny Markov D 25 2 5 7 0 28
34 Jamie Macoun‡ D 67 0 7 7 −17 63
2 Rob Zettler D 59 0 7 7 −8 108
16 Lonny Bohonos† RW 6 3 3 6 1 4
12 Kris King LW 82 3 3 6 −13 199
21 Martin Prochazka LW 29 2 4 6 −1 8
38 Yannick Tremblay D 38 2 4 6 −6 6
24 Per Gustafsson‡ D 22 1 4 5 −5 10
16 Jamie Baker C 13 0 5 5 1 10
33 David Cooper D 9 0 4 4 2 8
39 Mike Kennedy‡ RW 13 0 1 1 −2 14
42 Kevyn Adams C 5 0 0 0 0 7
31 Marcel Cousineau G 2 0 0 0 0
30 Glenn Healy G 21 0 0 0 0
29 Felix Potvin G 67 0 0 0 8
23 Jeff Ware D 2 0 0 0 1 0
26 Craig Wolanin D 10 0 0 0 −9 6

Goaltending

No. Player Regular season
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
29 Felix Potvin 67 26 33 7 1882 176 2.73 .906 5 3864
30 Glenn Healy 21 4 10 2 453 53 2.98 .883 0 1068
31 Marcel Cousineau 2 0 0 0 9 0 0.00 1.000 0 17

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honour Recipient Ref
League
(annual) 		NHL All-Rookie Team Mike Johnson (Forward) [3]
League
(in-season) 		NHL All-Star Game selection Mats Sundin [4]
NHL Rookie of the Month Mike Johnson (December) [5]
Team Molson Cup Felix Potvin [6]

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Kevyn Adams October 1, 1997 [7]
Alyn McCauley
Martin Prochazka October 9, 1997
Danny Markov February 2, 1998
1,000th game played Jamie Macoun November 8, 1997 [8]

Transactions

The Maple Leafs were involved in the following transactions during the 1997–98 season.

Trades

September 30, 1997 To St. Louis Blues
Kelly Chase 		To Toronto Maple Leafs
Future Considerations
January 2, 1998 To Carolina Hurricanes
4th round pick in 1999 – Yevgeny Pavlov 		To Toronto Maple Leafs
Jeff Brown
March 7, 1998 To Vancouver Canucks
Brandon Convery 		To Toronto Maple Leafs
Lonny Bohonos
March 17, 1998 To Ottawa Senators
Per Gustafsson 		To Toronto Maple Leafs
8th round pick in 1998 – Dwight Wolfe
March 24, 1998 To Dallas Stars
Mike Kennedy 		To Toronto Maple Leafs
8th round pick in 1998 – Michal Travnicek
March 24, 1998 To Detroit Red Wings
Jamie Macoun 		To Toronto Maple Leafs
4th round pick in 1998 – Alexei Ponikarovsky
March 24, 1998 To Washington Capitals
Jeff Brown 		To Toronto Maple Leafs
Sylvain Cote
June 27, 1998 To Chicago Blackhawks
1st round pick in 1998 – Mark Bell
4th round pick in 1998 – Matthias Trattnig 		To Toronto Maple Leafs
1st round pick in 1998 – Nik Antropov
3rd round pick in 1998 – Jamie Hodson
5th round pick in 1998 – Morgan Warren

Expansion Draft

June 26, 1998 To Nashville Predators
Rob Zettler

Free agents

Player Former Team
Mike Kennedy Dallas Stars
Derek King Hartford Whalers
Kris King Phoenix Coyotes
Glenn Healy New York Rangers
Kevyn Adams Grand Rapids Griffins (IHL)
Igor Korolev Phoenix Coyotes
Player New Team
Jamie Heward Philadelphia Flyers
Mike Craig San Jose Sharks

Draft picks

Toronto's picks at the 1997 NHL entry draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[9]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team
3 57 Jeff Farkas (Centre)  United States Boston College (Hockey East)
4 84 Adam Mair (Right wing)  Canada Owen Sound Platers (OHL)
5 111 Frantisek Mrazek (Left wing)  Czech Republic HC České Budějovice (Czech Republic)
6 138 Eric Gooldy (Left wing)  United States Detroit Whalers (OHL)
7 165 Hugo Marchand (Defence)  Canada Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
7 190 Shawn Thornton (Right wing)  Canada Peterborough Petes (OHL)
8 194 Russ Bartlett (Centre)  United States Phillips Exeter Academy (USHS-NH)
9 221 Jonathan Hedstrom (Left wing)  Sweden Skellefteå AIK (Sweden)

Farm teams

References

  • "Toronto Maple Leafs 1997-98 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  • "1997-98 Toronto Maple Leafs Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  1. ^ "1997-1998 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  2. ^ "1997-98 Toronto Maple Leafs Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  3. ^ "Postseason All-Star Teams". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  4. ^ "1998 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "NHL Rookies of the Month". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  6. ^ Toronto Maple Leafs 2015–16 Media Guide, p.373
  7. ^ "1997-98 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  8. ^ Sicinski, Larry (November 8, 1997). "Macoun to lace up for Game 1,000". Toronto Star. p. D2.
  9. ^ "1997 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.