The 2014–15Toronto Maple Leafsseason was the 98th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on November 22, 1917.[2] This was the second year of the new alignment and schedule format. They again played every team in their own division at least four times each, teams in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference three times each, and every team from the Western Conference twice. To complete the 82-game schedule, they played both Ottawa and Detroit five times.
On March 23, 2015, a 13-year long sellout streak ended. Only 18,336 fans showed up for the evening match vs. the Minnesota Wild.[3] Ticket prices for the game were slashed previously in the day.
The day after the regular season ended, April 12, 2015, Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan kept good on his promise of a scorched earth rebuild — General Manager Dave Nonis and Interim Head Coach Peter Horachek were relieved of their duties. Also let go were 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 and 18 other scouts.[4][5][6][7] Later in the day, strength and conditioning coach Anthony Belza
were fired.
On May 20, 2015, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced Mike Babcock will be the new coach, signing him to an 8-year, $50 million contract.[8]
Off-season
On May 8, 2014, General Manager Dave Nonis announced that Randy Carlyle had accepted a contract extension to continue as head coach through the 2016–17 season, however Carlyle's assistant coaches, Greg Cronin, Scott Gordon and Dave Farrish, were all released by the team.[9]
Illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Fraser during NHL game No. 1039 in Edmonton on Monday, March 16, 2015, at 10:58 of the third period.
†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.
Despite the Leafs usual loyal fan base, there have been several occurrences in the 2014–15 season where fans have thrown Leafs jerseys onto the ice to show disgust for horrid team performance. It has been said that this action is "classless" and "disrespectful" by many, as well as dangerous for players who have the potential to get hurt from skating over top of the jerseys. Fans who take part in this action can be faced with a hefty fine as well as being banned from all Air Canada Centre events for one year.[58]
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ second-round pick went to the Anaheim Ducks as the result of a trade on November 16, 2013, that sent Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz to Toronto in exchange for Jesse Blacker, Anaheim's seventh round pick in 2014 and this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[59] The condition – Anaheim would receive a second-round pick in 2014 if Holland played in 25 or more games for the Maple Leafs during the 2013–14 season – was converted on January 18, 2014.
The Toronto Maple Leafs' fourth-round pick went to the Chicago Blackhawks as the result of a trade June 30, 2013, that sent Dave Bolland to Toronto in exchange for a second-round pick in 2013, Anaheim's fourth round pick in 2013 and this pick.[60]
a The Arizona Coyotes' fourth round pick went to the Toronto Maple Leafs as the result of a trade on January 16, 2013, that sent Matthew Lombardi to Phoenix in exchange for this pick (being conditional at the time of the trade).[61] The condition – If Lombardi did not re-sign with Phoenix for the 2013–14 season, then Toronto would receive a fourth-round pick in 2014 – was converted on August 29, 2013.[62]
Notes
^During injuries to these players, alternate captaincy was handed to one of Tyler Bozak, David Clarkson, and Roman Polak, with each having served at least once.