In NHL phrases, a “robust man” usually refers to a participant whose main function on the group is to have interaction in bodily play, usually involving preventing, with opposing gamers. There are two causes for these actions. First, they’re methods to guard teammates. Second, the narrative is that bodily play (a strong hit or a battle) can work to shift the momentum of a recreation.
Gamers who have interaction others in 1-to-1 battles are sometimes known as “enforcers.” They sometimes pile up excessive penalty minutes with their willingness to have interaction in tough play. The bodily play of such enforcers was extra prevalent in previous a long time; and, as of late such bodily play each morphed a bit into what are known as pests (the Michael Buntings of the sport).
Associated: Maple Leafs 7 Finest Robust Guys – Toronto
But, though they’ve diminished within the fashionable NHL, there are nonetheless gamers who’re valued primarily for his or her bodily play and preventing capacity. Through the current historical past of the Toronto Maple Leafs (and on this submit, I’ve restricted my evaluation again about 30 seasons), quite a lot of robust guys have suited up for the group. On this submit, I’ll have a look at the three I imagine are the highest Maple Leafs’ robust guys since 1990.
Maple Leafs’ Robust Man No. 1: Tie Domi
Tie Domi is considered one of many hardest gamers to ever play for the Maple Leafs. His willingness to drop the gloves with anybody made him a fan favourite in Toronto. Domi performed his first two NHL video games for the Maple Leafs in 1989-90 earlier than he was traded in June 1990 to the New York Rangers. 5 years later, he returned to the Maple Leafs and completed his profession in Toronto. In complete, he donned the Blue and White from 1994-2006.
In his NHL seasons, he amassed a complete of three,515 penalty minutes. His complete with the Maple Leafs was 2,265 minutes within the penalty field. He has essentially the most profession penalty minutes for the Maple Leafs. In reality, throughout the 1997-98 season, Domi set a franchise single-season document with 365 penalty minutes, which handed the earlier mark set by Tiger Williams in 1977-78.
Associated: The Most Hated Toronto Maple Leafs Of All-Time
Domi was a tricky and generally controversial participant. He was recognized for his bodily play and willingness to battle. Regardless of this fame, he was additionally capable of contribute offensively. He scored 84 objectives and 196 factors throughout his time with the group. His toughness and bodily play have been thought-about helpful to the group’s success within the late Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s.
Domi was one of the crucial expert agitators of his day. Just like Bunting, he had a manner of getting underneath opponents’ pores and skin along with his antics.
Maple Leafs’ Robust Man No. 2: Wendel Clark
Wendel Clark is one other participant who’s usually thought-about one of many hardest to ever put on a Maple Leafs’ uniform. Clark performed for the Leafs from 1985-1994 and once more from 1996-1999. He returned as soon as once more for one last season earlier than he retired in 1999-2000.
Throughout all his seasons in a Blue and White uniform, he was recognized for his aggressive type of play and willingness to battle. He totaled over 1,500 penalty minutes throughout his profession with the Maple Leafs.
Associated: Ex-Maple Leaf Wendel Clark Weighs in on Present Leafs Stars
Clark was, and stays, a Maple Leafs fan-favorite. He was drafted as a defenceman however turned a high-powered ahead with a crashing, hard-hitting type of play. He was a feared opponent. He was named captain within the early Nineteen Nineties and led the group with a mix of toughness and offensive capacity. In reality, he scored 260 objectives and 441 factors in 608 video games with the franchise. He set profession highs in objectives (46), assists (30), and factors (76) throughout the 1993-94 season.
Clark’s bodily type of play and offensive capacity made him a legend in Toronto. Like Domi, he would usually drop the gloves.
Maple Leafs’ Robust Man No. 3: Doug Gilmour
Doug Gilmour was a Maple Leafs’ robust man in fairly a distinct manner than both Domi or Clark. He was not essentially recognized for his bodily play, however that didn’t make him any much less of a tricky participant in his personal proper. He was one of the crucial aggressive Maple Leafs’ gamers and his work ethic was off the charts.
You might also like:
Gilmour was additionally fearless. He wasn’t afraid to hunt the soiled areas of the ice to make performs. He performed for the Leafs from 1991-1997 and once more within the 2002-03 season. Like Clark, he returned to play his final recreation within the Blue and White of Toronto, and he retired as a Maple Leafs’ participant. He was a key participant on the group that made it to the convention finals in 1993 and 1994.
Associated: Revisiting the Wendel Clark for Mats Sundin Commerce
Gilmour was tenacious and by no means backed down from searching for pucks within the corners or in entrance of the web. He was a talented playmaker and an excellent 200-foot participant. He received the Selke Trophy because the NHL’s prime defensive ahead in 1993. He was a frontrunner each on and off the ice, serving because the Maple Leafs’ captain from 1994-1997.
Gilmour performed via accidents and was prepared to sacrifice his physique for the great of the group. His mixture of talent, toughness, and management made him a beloved participant for the Maple Leafs and a fan favourite. He was the runner-up for the Hart Trophy as regular-season MVP in 1992-93. He simply couldn’t beat Mario Lemieux, who scored 69 objectives and 160 factors that season.
Different Notable Maple Leafs Robust Guys
The Maple Leafs had a number of different gamers who might have been positioned on this record of robust guys. All three of those different gamers have been additionally recognized for going to the “soiled areas” on the ice and enjoying bodily video games. These different notable Maple Leafs’ robust guys included:
Darcy Tucker was a tenacious participant who by no means backed down from a problem. He was recognized for his bodily play, and would usually get in opponents’ faces and have interaction in scrums after the whistle.
Gary Roberts was a bodily participant who used his dimension and energy to his benefit. He was recognized for his arduous hits and his willingness to battle for pucks within the corners.
Shayne Corson was a tricky, gritty participant prepared to do no matter it took to win. He was recognized for his bodily play and his capacity to get underneath opponents’ pores and skin.
Within the current historical past of Maple Leafs’ robust guys, three stand out because the hardest. These have been Domi, Clark, and Gilmour.
