2008–09 Toronto Maple Leafs season
| 2008–09 Toronto Maple Leafs | |
|---|---|
| Division | 5th Northeast |
| Conference | 12th Eastern |
| 2008–09 record | 34–35–13 |
| Home record | 16–16–9 |
| Road record | 18–19–4 |
| Goals for | 219 |
| Goals against | 257 |
| Team information | |
| General Manager |
Cliff Fletcher (Sept–Nov) interim Brian Burke (Nov–Apr) |
| Coach | Ron Wilson |
| Captain | Vacant |
| Alternate captains |
Nik Antropov (Oct.–Mar.) Tomas Kaberle Pavel Kubina Brad May (Mar.–Apr.) Jamal Mayers Dominic Moore (Oct.–Mar.) |
| Arena | Air Canada Centre |
| Average attendance | 19,243 (102%) |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Jason Blake (25) |
| Assists | Matt Stajan (35) |
| Points | Jason Blake (57) |
| Penalties in minutes | Pavel Kubina (79) |
| Plus/minus | Alexei Ponikarovsky (+6) |
| Wins | Vesa Toskala (22) |
| Goals against average | Vesa Toskala (3.26) |
The 2008–09 Toronto Maple Leafs season was the franchise's 92nd, and their 82nd as the Maple Leafs. The Leafs did not qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, and have not qualified for the post-season since the 2003–04 season.
The Leafs faced an off-season challenge to hire a general manager. Brian Burke was a favourite for the position held by Interim General Manager Cliff Fletcher, but Burke decided to stay with the Anaheim Ducks. He was not given permission to talk to the Leafs about their vacancy by Ducks owner Henry Samueli. Burke had one more year left on his contract as the general manager of the Ducks, and those close to him say he was interested in the Maple Leafs' job.
On May 7, the Leafs fired Head Coach Paul Maurice, along with two assistant coaches, after missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. On May 8, the Leafs asked the Vancouver Canucks permission to speak to Dave Nonis about hiring him for a position with the club.
In mid-May, there were rumours that Wayne Gretzky was in the running for a position with the Maple Leafs. Gretzky responded to the rumours linking him to the Toronto Maple Leafs by stating that his focus was on the Phoenix Coyotes and developing their young talent.
On June 10, Ron Wilson was hired as the new head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Wilson was fired in May by the San Jose Sharks after the Sharks lost to the Dallas Stars in the second round of the NHL playoffs. Wilson has also coached the Anaheim Ducks and the Washington Capitals. The former U.S. college player spent parts of three NHL seasons with the Leafs in the 1970s.
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