NHL fans have revived the age-old debate of the most disliked team in professional hockey. Fans, media personalities, and former players have weighed in, and the divisive team is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Maple Leafs have existed for over 100 years. How has this team, 13-time Stanley Cup champions who have not won in over 50 years earned this distinction?
Here are two prevailing theories.
1. Monopolize Canadian Media Coverage
NHL hockey is to Canadians what NFL football is to Americans. Canada has seven teams in the NHL: Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadians, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets.
Toronto is a huge media market so coverage of the Maple Leafs can overshadow the other Canadian teams. It is eerily similar to the Dallas Cowboys’ (also known as America’s team) extensive NFL coverage in the USA despite not winning a Super Bowl in almost 30 years.
2. Toronto Maple Leafs Fans Are Irksome, Motivate Visiting Teams
For many reasons, justified or not, Toronto Maple Leafs fans tend to get on the nerves of others. Former players have admitted there is an added benefit to beating the Maple Leafs on their home ice.
The most hated team in the NHL?
Even their own media on their own channel acknowledge it. pic.twitter.com/dxrLG3tKZK— Ted (@tedtheodorou) November 7, 2024
In case you were wondering, Toronto was not the only team discussed. The Vegas Golden Knights and defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers were also mentioned in the debate.
Maple Leafs 2024
The Maple Leafs have kicked off the 2024-2025 NHL season with a 9-5-2 record. They are in second place, behind the Atlantic division-leading Panthers.
Since November 1st, no team in the NHL has more power play goals than the Toronto Maple Leafs pic.twitter.com/Rgx9f89jbw
— Jesse Blake (@JesseBlake) November 10, 2024
In addition to the early success, the Maple Leafs are the only team to defeat the red-hot Winnipeg Jets (14-1) this season. That 6-4 win came on October 28. It was solid and convincing giving fans hope that this team will be in contention this season.
Not only are the Leafs the only team to beat the Jets so far, they did it in a convincing manner. That was no eke out a win with luck game.
— Rick (@calderdotio) November 8, 2024
LEAFS WWWWWWWWWIN!@LGCanada | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/wPRT36QdTz
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 10, 2024
The Maple Leafs are riding a two-game winning streak in back-to-back days over Detroit (3-1) and Montreal (4-1). On Tuesday, November 12, the team will face the 7-7 Ottawa Senators on home ice.
