2015–16 Toronto Maple Leafs season

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2015–16 Toronto Maple Leafs
Division8th Atlantic
Conference16th Eastern
2015–16 record29–42–11
Home record14–18–9
Road record15–24–2
Goals for198
Goals against246
Team information
General managerLou Lamoriello
CoachMike Babcock
CaptainDion Phaneuf (Oct.–Feb.)
Vacant (Feb.–Apr.)
Alternate captainsTyler Bozak
Matt Hunwick
Leo Komarov (Feb.–Apr.)[a][b]
ArenaAir Canada Centre
Minor league affiliate(s)Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)
Team leaders
GoalsP. A. Parenteau (20)
AssistsNazem Kadri (28)
PointsNazem Kadri (45)
Penalty minutesNazem Kadri (73)
Plus/minusRoman Polak (+8)
WinsJonathan Bernier (12)
Goals against averageJonathan Bernier (2.88)

The 2015–16 Toronto Maple Leafs season was the 99th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on November 22, 1917.[1] The season officially began its regular games on October 7, 2015, with a 3–1 loss against the Montreal Canadiens.[2]

Despite stretches of strong play, with the Maple Leafs at one point being within a few points of a playoff spot, they broke the franchise record for most losses in a season with 53 (the previous record was 52 in 1984–85). However, it is important to note the previous record was set when there were only 80 games per season (two have since been added, bringing the total games played yearly to 82 per team). Due to the point awarded for overtime and shootout losses, the Leafs finished the season with 69 points, one more than the previous season. Despite the improved record, the Maple Leafs finished last overall in the NHL standings for the first time since the 1984–85 season.

On July 1, 2015, the Maple Leafs were part of a blockbuster, multi-player deal that centred on Phil Kessel moving to the Pittsburgh Penguins, with one of the key pieces for Toronto being prospect Kasperi Kapanen. Kessel would be a central piece in the Penguins' Stanley Cup win later that season. Months later, another significant trade occurred when captain Dion Phaneuf plus four other players were traded to Ottawa Senators in exchange for four players plus a second round draft pick in 2017. A trade like this was seen as substantial due to the divisional Battle of Ontario rivalry and the NHL salary cap, which typically prevents more than a few players from moving at once.

On April 30, 2016, it was announced that the Leafs had won the draft lottery, and would receive the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.[3] Auston Matthews was subsequently selected first overall. As of 2024, this is the most recent season the Maple Leafs have missed the playoffs.

Off-season[edit]

The Maple Leafs made numerous personnel changes prior to the start of the season. Mike Babcock and Lou Lamoriello were hired as head coach and general manager, respectively, replacing Dave Nonis and interim head coach Peter Horachek.[4][5] Additionally, in an effort to bring in new personnel, coaches Steve Spott, Chris Dennis, Rick St. Croix; Director of Player Development Jim Hughes; and Director of Pro Scouting Steve Kasper, as well as Rob Cowie, strength and conditioning coach Anthony Belza, and 18 other scouts were fired.[6][7][8][9] The team would find replacements for these members throughout the off season.

The 2015 NHL Entry Draft was held between July 26 and 27, and the Maple Leafs made a total of 9 selections, while also acquiring defenceman Martin Marincin.

Following the draft, the Leafs made a number of moves during the free agency period, signing players such as P. A. Parenteau, Mark Arcobello, and Shawn Matthias to short-term contracts. The most noteworthy move came in a blockbuster deal that sent winger Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins, along with Tim Erixon, Tyler Biggs and a conditional second-round draft pick, in exchange for Kasperi Kapanen, Nick Spaling, Scott Harrington, and a conditional set of draft picks.[10]

As the off-season went on, the team would sign Devin Setoguchi, Curtis Glencross, Brad Boyes, and Mark Fraser to professional try out contracts. Out of these four, Boyes was the only one to sign a contract, inking a one-year deal, while the others were released.[11]

For a complete list of on-ice off-season moves, please see Transactions.

Standings[edit]

Atlantic Division
Pos Team GP W L OTL ROW GF GA GD Pts
1 y – Florida Panthers 82 47 26 9 40 239 203 +36 103
2 x – Tampa Bay Lightning 82 46 31 5 43 227 201 +26 97
3 x – Detroit Red Wings 82 41 30 11 39 211 224 −13 93
4 Boston Bruins 82 42 31 9 38 240 230 +10 93
5 Ottawa Senators 82 38 35 9 32 236 247 −11 85
6 Montreal Canadiens 82 38 38 6 33 221 236 −15 82
7 Buffalo Sabres 82 35 36 11 33 201 222 −21 81
8 Toronto Maple Leafs 82 29 42 11 23 198 246 −48 69
Source: National Hockey League[12]
x – Clinched playoff spot; y – Clinched division
Eastern Conference Wild Card
Pos Div Team GP W L OTL ROW GF GA GD Pts
1 ME x – New York Islanders 82 45 27 10 40 232 216 +16 100
2 ME x – Philadelphia Flyers 82 41 27 14 38 214 218 −4 96
3 AT Boston Bruins 82 42 31 9 38 240 230 +10 93
4 ME Carolina Hurricanes 82 35 31 16 33 198 226 −28 86
5 AT Ottawa Senators 82 38 35 9 32 236 247 −11 85
6 ME New Jersey Devils 82 38 36 8 36 184 208 −24 84
7 AT Montreal Canadiens 82 38 38 6 33 221 236 −15 82
8 AT Buffalo Sabres 82 35 36 11 33 201 222 −21 81
9 ME Columbus Blue Jackets 82 34 40 8 28 219 252 −33 76
10 AT Toronto Maple Leafs 82 29 42 11 23 198 246 −48 69
Source: National Hockey League[13]
x – Clinched playoff spot

Record vs opponents[edit]

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 3–4* 1–3 0–2 2–3 4–3* Carolina 0–1* 3–1 2–1* Chicago 1–4 2–7 Anaheim 6–5* 4–0
Buffalo 3–4* 4–1 1–2* 1–4 Columbus 1–3 1–5 6–3 Colorado 5–1 7–4 Arizona 3–4 2–3
Detroit 1–2* 2–3 0–4 1–0 New Jersey 3–2* 3–2* 1–5 Dallas 4–1 3–2 Calgary 5–2 3–4
Florida 1–4 3–4 1–5 5–2 N.Y. Islanders 3–6 4–3* 3–1 Minnesota 1–2 0–1 Edmonton 3–0 2–5
Montreal 1–3 2–3* 3–5 1–4 N.Y. Rangers 2–4 1–3 3–4 Nashville 2–3 2–1* Los Angeles 5–0 1–2
Ottawa 4–5* 2–3 1–6 0–4 Philadelphia 4–5* 3–2 4–3* St. Louis 4–1 4–1 San Jose 4–5* 0–7
Tampa Bay 4–5* 1–2 4–1 0–1 0–3 Pittsburgh 0–4 1–2 3–2* Winnipeg 2–4 1–6 Vancouver 4–2 5–2
Washington 2–4 2–3* 2–3
Records 2–7–6 3–11–1 4–6–2 6–5–1 3–4–0 4–3–0 5–1–1 2–5–0
Division 5–18–7 10–11–3 7–7–0 7–6–1
Conference 15–29–10 (Home: 6–13–8; Away: 9–16–2) 14–13–1 (Home: 8–5–1; Away: 6–8–0)
Overall 29–42–11 (Home: 14–18–9; Away: 15–24–2)

* game decided in overtime or shoot-out

Schedule and results[edit]

Pre-season[edit]

Regular season[edit]

2015–16 Game Log[15]

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

Overtime statistics[edit]

Games Won Lost Game Winning Goal Scorers
Overtime 8 3 5 Parenteau, Kadri, Gardiner
Shootout 12 6 6 Holland, Lupul, Kadri, Parenteau (2), Soshnikov
20 9 11

Player statistics[edit]

Final stats[16]

Skaters[edit]

Goaltenders[edit]

Regular Season
Player GP GS TOI W L OT GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Jonathan Bernier 38 36 2146:46 12 21 3 103 2.88 1114 .907 3 0 0 2
James Reimer 32 29 1809:01 11 12 7 75 2.49 845 .918 0 0 0 0
Garret Sparks 17 17 974:57 6 9 1 49 3.02 456 .892 1 0 0 0

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.

Player suspensions/fines[edit]

Player Explanation Length Salary Date issued
Nazem Kadri Making a throat slashing gesture towards Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano during NHL Game No. 805 in Calgary on Tuesday, February 9, 2016. $5,000 February 11, 2016[17]
Leo Komarov Elbowing New York Rangers defenceman Ryan McDonagh during NHL game No. 860 in Toronto on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at 18:58 of the first period. 3 games $47,580.64 February 19, 2016[18]
Nazem Kadri For three diving/embellishment incidents between February 4 and March 21, 2016. $5,000 April 1, 2016[19]
Nazem Kadri Cross-checking Detroit Red Wings forward Luke Glendening during NHL Game No. 1170 in Toronto on Saturday, April 2, at 7:23 of the second period. 4 games $200,000 April 4, 2016[20]

Awards and honours[edit]

Awards[edit]

Milestones[edit]

A variety of milestones were set by players during the season. In terms of debuts, twelve players appeared in this first NHL game this season. They include Byron Froese, Garret Sparks, Brendan Leipsic, Viktor Loov, Zach Hyman, Kasperi Kapanen, William Nylander, Nikita Soshnikov, Rinat Valiev, Connor Brown, Frederik Gauthier and Tobias Lindberg.

Transactions[edit]

The Maple Leafs have been involved in the following transactions during the 2015–16 season.