Maple Leafs Trade Deadline 2015: Remembering Obscure Trade Deadline-Acquired Leafs

If there’s a player on the Leafs right now who seems out of place, it’s got to be Olli Jokinen. The 4-time 30 goal scorer looks clearly past his prime these days, but at 36, that tends to happen. Though not technically a trade deadline acquistion, Jokinen’s story is similar to that of many previously acquired Leafs who were on the team for very, very short periods of time despite solid careers with other NHL teams.

The Washington Capitals’ career leader in goaltender games played and wins, Olaf “Olie” Kolzig had a rather uninspired ending. Acquired at the 2009 deadline from Tampa Bay in a package for Richard Petoit, Olaf Kolzig’s career ended as a Leaf, without any actual playing time for the team. Kolzig and the two other pieces traded to Toronto (Jamie Heward and Andy Rogers) never played a game in the NHL following the trade, and neither did Petoit.

Remember when Skoula was a Leaf? Well, in theory, he was, but he never suited up. The defenceman of 776 NHL games was acquired in 2010 from Pittsburgh with Luca Caputi for Alexei Ponikoravsky… before being flipped later that day to New Jersey.

Phil Housley sits second all time in points by American players, and was acquired in 2003 for a package of picks from Chicago. Due to lingering injury issues, Housley played just one game in the regular season and three in the playoffs for the Leafs before calling it quits.

Francis was acquired for a 4th round pick from Carolina in 2004. Francis picked up 10 points in 12 games with the Leafs, then another four in 12 playoff games. During the lockout following the year, Francis hung up his skates. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. 

The following players could’ve made the list, but suffer from technicalities.

Gilmour, of course, is far from obscure in Toronto. And while most Leafs fans likely remember his last game, it’s still a very, very odd end to his NHL career. Acquired at the trade deadine from Montreal for a 4th round pick, Gilmour suffered a knee injury on his second shift back, swiftly ending his career.

Leetch was acquired in 2004 as part of a package that saw Toronto’s first round pick go to New York for the veteran d-man. Leetch put up 15 points in 15 games for the Leafs and added 8 in 13 in the playoffs. However, the trade occured approxiamtely a week before the NHL trade deadline. He made the NHL Hall of Fame in 2009.

Gerber SHOULD fit this list as he was acquired on trade deadline day, 2009. However, Gerber was actually a waiver claim from the Ottawa Senators and not a trade per se. Gerber played 12 games for the Leafs, managing a 6-5 record and a .905 save percentage.

If the Leafs are looking to make another trade for an aging vet this year… Sergei Gonchar’s still around.