Mitch Marner made the most of his return to the ice last night with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his first game back after sustaining an ankle injury on March 7, he registered an assist that contributed to the team’s win over the Montreal Canadiens. Despite an extended layoff, he played over 17 minutes in the game. He was a welcome sight for the team as it heads toward the end of the regular season and into the playoffs.
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Moreover, Marner’s assist was significant in franchise history. It moved him past Tomas Kaberle into fifth place in all-time assists for the Maple Leafs. Thinking about it, Marner is only 26 years old and is only now finishing his eighth season in a Blue & White uniform. Continuing his current pace, he needs fewer than four seasons to shatter Borje Salming’s record and reach number one in franchise history.
Other Maple Leafs Assist Leaders
In this post, I’ll look at the other Maple Leafs greats Marner is chasing on his trip to the top of the franchise assist leaderboard.
Börje Salming Leads the Maple Leafs Franchise History with 620 Assists
Borje Salming was an excellent defenceman for the Maple Leafs and made a profound impact during his 16-year tenure with the team (from 1973 to 1989). As one of the first NHLers from Sweden, he was a pioneer for European players in the NHL. He became known in Toronto for his exceptional skating, offensive abilities, and toughness. Over his career with the Maple Leafs, he put up an impressive 620 assists, setting the franchise record that still stands.
Related: Remembering Borje Salming: “King” of Maple Leafs’ Defensemen
Salming’s legacy extends to the leadership qualities that earned him admiration from teammates, opponents, and fans. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Maple Leafs’ retired his jersey No. 21. He is remembered for being one of the greatest players in Maple Leafs history.
Mats Sundin Is Second in Maple Leafs Franchise History with 567 Assists
Mats Sundin left an unforgettable legacy during his tenure with the team from 1994 to 2008. Acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Quebec Nordiques for Wendel Clark, he quickly proved to…
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