# 1988–89 Toronto Maple Leafs season

The 1988–89 Toronto Maple Leafs season was Toronto's 72nd season in the National Hockey League (NHL). Toronto made a late season push for the playoffs under interim head coach (and former captain) George Armstrong but an overtime loss in the final regular season game at the Chicago Blackhawks kept them out of the postseason for the first time since 1984–85.

## Off-season
### NHL draft

| Round | Pick | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team |
| 1 | 6 | Scott Pearson (LW) | Canada | Kingston Canadians (OHL) |
| 2 | 27 | Tie Domi (RW) | Canada | Peterborough Petes (OHL) |
| 3 | 48 | Peter Ing (G) | Canada | Windsor Spitfires (OHL) |
| 4 | 69 | Ted Crowley (D) | United States | Lawrence Academy (USHS-MA) |
| 5 | 86 | Len Esau (D) | Canada | Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) |
| 7 | 132 | Matt Mallgrave (C) | United States | St. Paul's School (USHS-NH) |
| 8 | 153 | Roger Elvenes (C) | Sweden | Rögle BK (Sweden) |
| 9 | 174 | Mike DeLay (D) | United States | Canterbury School (USHS-CT) |
| 10 | 195 | David Sacco (C) | United States | Medford High School (USHS-MA) |
| 11 | 216 | Mike Gregorio (G) | United States | Cushing Academy (USHS-MA) |
| 12 | 237 | Peter DeBoer (RW) | Canada | Windsor Spitfires (OHL) |
| S | 11 | Dean Anderson (G) | Canada | University of Wisconsin (WCHA) |

## Regular season

The 1988–89 Maple Leafs season was a disastrous one that saw John Brophy fired as head coach midway through the season. Interim head coach George Armstrong led the Leafs close to the playoffs, but they eventually missed out after losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in the final game of the regular season. The Leafs needed a win against Chicago to clinch a playoff berth, but a Troy Murray overtime goal ended Toronto's season.
The Maple Leafs finished the regular season last in the NHL in power play goals scored (56), power play opportunities (334), power play percentage (16.77%) and penalty-killing percentage (72.70%).
* November 7, 1988 – The Maple Leafs traded RW Russ Courtnall to Montreal for RW John Kordic and a 6th-round choice (Michael Doers)
* Ken Wregget was traded by Maple Leafs to Philadelphia Flyers for two first-round picks (RW Rob Pearson and D Steve Bancroft) in 1989 draft, March 6, 1989.

### Final standings

Norris Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| Detroit Red Wings | 80 | 34 | 34 | 12 | 313 | 316 | 80 |
| St. Louis Blues | 80 | 33 | 35 | 12 | 275 | 285 | 78 |
| Minnesota North Stars | 80 | 27 | 37 | 16 | 258 | 278 | 70 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 80 | 27 | 41 | 12 | 297 | 335 | 66 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 80 | 28 | 46 | 6 | 259 | 342 | 62 |
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

### Record vs. opponents
#### Vs. Campbell Conference

1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | CHI | DET | MIN | STL | TOR | Total |
| Chicago | — | 4–2–2 | 4–2–2 | 1–6–1 | 3–3–2 | 12–13–7 |
| Detroit | 2–4–2 | — | 5–3 | 3–3–2 | 5–3 | 15–13–4 |
| Minnesota | 2–4–2 | 3–5 | — | 2–3–3 | 3–4–1 | 10–16–6 |
| St. Louis | 6–1–1 | 3–3–2 | 3–2–3 | — | 6–2 | 18–8–6 |
| Toronto | 3–3–2 | 3–5 | 4–3–1 | 2–6 | — | 12–17–3 |
1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | CGY | EDM | LAK | VAN | WIN | Total |
| Chicago | 0–3 | 2–0–1 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 3–0 | 6–8–1 |
| Detroit | 0–3 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 0–0–3 | 2–0–1 | 4–7–4 |
| Minnesota | 0–2–1 | 0–1–2 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 5–7–3 |
| St. Louis | 0–3 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 1–1–1 | 3–11–1 |
| Toronto | 1–0–2 | 0–3 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 3–10–2 |
Vs. Wales Conference
1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | BOS | BUF | HFD | MTL | QUE | Total |
| Chicago | 0–3 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 0–1–2 | 2–0–1 | 4–8–3 |
| Detroit | 2–0–1 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 6–8–1 |
| Minnesota | 2–0–1 | 1–0–2 | 1–2 | 0–1–2 | 1–2 | 5–5–5 |
| St. Louis | 0–3 | 2–1 | 0–1–2 | 0–2–1 | 3–0 | 5–7–3 |
| Toronto | 0–3 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 3–0 | 6–9–0 |
1988–89 NHL records :
| Team | NJD | NYI | NYR | PHI | PIT | WSH | Total |
| Chicago | 1–2 | 3–0 | 0–2–1 | 0–3 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 5–12–1 |
| Detroit | 0–2–1 | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 0–2–1 | 1–1–1 | 9–6–3 |
| Minnesota | 1–1–1 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 1–1–1 | 7–9–2 |
| St. Louis | 1–2 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 3–0 | 1–1–1 | 0–2–1 | 7–9–2 |
| Toronto | 1–2 | 2–1 | 1–1–1 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 7–10–1 |

## Schedule and results

| No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record |
| 1 | L | October 6, 1988 | 1–2 | @ Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 0–1–0 |
| 2 | W | October 8, 1988 | 7–4 | Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 1–1–0 |
| 3 | W | October 9, 1988 | 8–4 | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 2–1–0 |
| 4 | L | October 12, 1988 | 2–4 | St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 2–2–0 |
| 5 | W | October 14, 1988 | 3–1 | @ Washington Capitals (1988–89) | 3–2–0 |
| 6 | L | October 15, 1988 | 3–5 | Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 3–3–0 |
| 7 | W | October 17, 1988 | 6–2 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 4–3–0 |
| 8 | W | October 19, 1988 | 4–2 | Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 5–3–0 |
| 9 | W | October 21, 1988 | 4–2 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 6–3–0 |
| 10 | T | October 22, 1988 | 3–3 OT | Calgary Flames (1988–89) | 6–3–1 |
| 11 | W | October 25, 1988 | 4–3 | @ New York Islanders (1988–89) | 7–3–1 |
| 12 | W | October 26, 1988 | 3–2 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 8–3–1 |
| 13 | L | October 29, 1988 | 2–3 | @ St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 8–4–1 |
| 14 | L | November 2, 1988 | 2–7 | Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 8–5–1 |
| 15 | L | November 5, 1988 | 4–6 | Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) | 8–6–1 |
| 16 | L | November 10, 1988 | 1–5 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) | 8–7–1 |
| 17 | L | November 12, 1988 | 2–6 | Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) | 8–8–1 |
| 18 | L | November 14, 1988 | 4–5 | Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 8–9–1 |
| 19 | W | November 16, 1988 | 8–5 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) | 9–9–1 |
| 20 | L | November 18, 1988 | 0–3 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) | 9–10–1 |
| 21 | L | November 19, 1988 | 1–9 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) | 9–11–1 |
| 22 | W | November 21, 1988 | 4–0 | St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 10–11–1 |
| 23 | W | November 23, 1988 | 4–3 | Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 11–11–1 |
| 24 | L | November 25, 1988 | 3–5 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 11–12–1 |
| 25 | L | November 26, 1988 | 3–6 | Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 11–13–1 |
| 26 | L | December 1, 1988 | 3–9 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) | 11–14–1 |
| 27 | L | December 3, 1988 | 0–3 | @ St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 11–15–1 |
| 28 | L | December 9, 1988 | 3–4 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 11–16–1 |
| 29 | L | December 10, 1988 | 2–8 | Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 11–17–1 |
| 30 | T | December 12, 1988 | 4–4 OT | Calgary Flames (1988–89) | 11–17–2 |
| 31 | L | December 14, 1988 | 2–8 | Edmonton Oilers (1988–89) | 11–18–2 |
| 32 | L | December 15, 1988 | 3–6 | @ New Jersey Devils (1988–89) | 11–19–2 |
| 33 | L | December 17, 1988 | 1–7 | Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) | 11–20–2 |
| 34 | W | December 19, 1988 | 4–3 | St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 12–20–2 |
| 35 | L | December 21, 1988 | 1–6 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1988–89) | 12–21–2 |
| 36 | L | December 23, 1988 | 2–5 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 12–22–2 |
| 37 | L | December 26, 1988 | 3–4 | New York Islanders (1988–89) | 12–23–2 |
| 38 | W | December 29, 1988 | 6–5 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 13–23–2 |
| 39 | W | December 31, 1988 | 6–1 | Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 14–23–2 |
| 40 | T | January 1, 1989 | 3–3 OT | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 14–23–3 |
| 41 | L | January 6, 1989 | 0–3 | @ Washington Capitals (1988–89) | 14–24–3 |
| 42 | L | January 7, 1989 | 1–6 | Buffalo Sabres (1988–89) | 14–25–3 |
| 43 | W | January 9, 1989 | 3–0 | Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) | 15–25–3 |
| 44 | L | January 11, 1989 | 2–3 | Washington Capitals (1988–89) | 15–26–3 |
| 45 | L | January 14, 1989 | 3–5 | Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 15–27–3 |
| 46 | W | January 16, 1989 | 5–3 | Hartford Whalers (1988–89) | 16–27–3 |
| 47 | T | January 19, 1989 | 3–3 OT | Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 16–27–4 |
| 48 | L | January 21, 1989 | 3–4 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1988–89) | 16–28–4 |
| 49 | L | January 25, 1989 | 1–2 OT | Boston Bruins (1988–89) | 16–29–4 |
| 50 | L | January 27, 1989 | 1–8 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 16–30–4 |
| 51 | T | January 28, 1989 | 1–1 OT | New York Rangers (1988–89) | 16–30–5 |
| 52 | L | January 30, 1989 | 1–7 | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 16–31–5 |
| 53 | W | February 2, 1989 | 4–1 | @ New York Islanders (1988–89) | 17–31–5 |
| 54 | L | February 4, 1989 | 1–3 | Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 17–32–5 |
| 55 | W | February 11, 1989 | 4–3 | Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) | 18–32–5 |
| 56 | L | February 13, 1989 | 1–8 | @ New Jersey Devils (1988–89) | 18–33–5 |
| 57 | L | February 15, 1989 | 2–4 | Hartford Whalers (1988–89) | 18–34–5 |
| 58 | W | February 17, 1989 | 10–6 | @ New York Rangers (1988–89) | 19–34–5 |
| 59 | W | February 18, 1989 | 5–3 | New Jersey Devils (1988–89) | 20–34–5 |
| 60 | L | February 20, 1989 | 4–5 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1988–89) | 20–35–5 |
| 61 | W | February 22, 1989 | 4–3 OT | @ Calgary Flames (1988–89) | 21–35–5 |
| 62 | L | February 23, 1989 | 1–2 OT | @ Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) | 21–36–5 |
| 63 | W | February 25, 1989 | 4–2 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 22–36–5 |
| 64 | L | February 27, 1989 | 5–7 | St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 22–37–5 |
| 65 | L | March 1, 1989 | 4–7 | @ New York Rangers (1988–89) | 22–38–5 |
| 66 | T | March 4, 1989 | 3–3 OT | Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 22–38–6 |
| 67 | L | March 5, 1989 | 0–3 | @ Hartford Whalers (1988–89) | 22–39–6 |
| 68 | W | March 7, 1989 | 6–4 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1988–89) | 23–39–6 |
| 69 | L | March 9, 1989 | 1–4 | @ St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 23–40–6 |
| 70 | W | March 11, 1989 | 5–3 | Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 24–40–6 |
| 71 | L | March 12, 1989 | 7–9 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) | 24–41–6 |
| 72 | W | March 14, 1989 | 5–3 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 25–41–6 |
| 73 | L | March 18, 1989 | 2–10 | Winnipeg Jets (1988–89) | 25–42–6 |
| 74 | L | March 19, 1989 | 6–8 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1988–89) | 25–43–6 |
| 75 | W | March 22, 1989 | 5–3 | Vancouver Canucks (1988–89) | 26–43–6 |
| 76 | L | March 24, 1989 | 2–6 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 26–44–6 |
| 77 | W | March 25, 1989 | 6–5 | Detroit Red Wings (1988–89) | 27–44–6 |
| 78 | W | March 29, 1989 | 3–1 | Minnesota North Stars (1988–89) | 28–44–6 |
| 79 | L | April 1, 1989 | 3–4 OT | @ St. Louis Blues (1988–89) | 28–45–6 |
| 80 | L | April 2, 1989 | 3–4 OT | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1988–89) | 28–46–6 |

## Player statistics
### Forwards

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points
| Player | GP | G | AST | PTS | PIM |
| Eddie Olczyk | 80 | 38 | 52 | 90 | 75 |
| Gary Leeman | 61 | 32 | 43 | 75 | 66 |
| Vincent Damphousse | 80 | 26 | 42 | 68 | 75 |
| Tom Fergus | 80 | 22 | 45 | 67 | 48 |
| Daniel Marois | 76 | 31 | 23 | 54 | 76 |
| Mark Osborne | 75 | 16 | 30 | 46 | 112 |
| Dave Reid | 77 | 9 | 21 | 30 | 22 |
| Craig Laughlin | 66 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 41 |
| Peter Ihnacak | 26 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 10 |
| Derek Laxdal | 41 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 65 |
| Al Secord | 40 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 71 |
| Dan Daoust | 68 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 54 |
| Wendel Clark | 15 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 66 |
| Paul Gagne | 16 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| John Kordic | 46 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 185 |
| Russ Courtnall | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Tim Armstrong | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Mike Blaisdell | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Ken Yaremchuk | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Scott Pearson | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Sean McKenna | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Paul Lawless | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Marty Dallman | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris McRae | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Doug Shedden | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |

### Defencemen

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points
| Player | GP | G | AST | PTS | PIM |
| Al Iafrate | 65 | 13 | 20 | 33 | 72 |
| Todd Gill | 59 | 11 | 14 | 25 | 72 |
| Börje Salming | 63 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 86 |
| Brad Marsh | 80 | 1 | 15 | 16 | 79 |
| Chris Kotsopoulos | 57 | 1 | 14 | 15 | 44 |
| Darren Veitch | 37 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 16 |
| Rick Lanz | 32 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 18 |
| Luke Richardson | 55 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 106 |
| Brian Curran | 47 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 185 |
| Darryl Shannon | 14 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Ken Hammond | 14 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 |

### Goaltending

Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against
| Player | GP | W | L | T | SO | GAA |
| Allan Bester | 43 | 17 | 20 | 3 | 2 | 3.80 |
| Ken Wregget | 32 | 9 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 4.42 |
| Jeff Reese | 10 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 4.94 |

## Awards and records

* Gary Leeman, Molson Cup (Most game star selections for Toronto Maple Leafs)

## Transactions

The Maple Leafs have been involved in the following transactions in the 1988–89 season.

### Trades

| June 21, 1988 | To Philadelphia FlyersMike Stothers | To Toronto Maple LeafsBill Root |
| November 7, 1988 | To Montreal CanadiensRuss Courtnall | To Toronto Maple LeafsJohn Kordic 6th round pick in 1989 – Mike Doers |
| February 7, 1989 | To Philadelphia FlyersAl Secord | To Toronto Maple Leafs5th round pick in 1989 – Keith Carney |
| February 21, 1989 | To New York RangersChris McRae | To Toronto Maple LeafsKen Hammond |
| February 25, 1989 | To Vancouver CanucksPeter DeBoer | To Toronto Maple LeafsPaul Lawless |
| March 6, 1989 | To Philadelphia FlyersKen Wregget | To Toronto Maple Leafs1st round pick in 1989 – Rob Pearson 1st round pick in 1989 – Steve Bancroft |
| June 16, 1989 | To Calgary Flames2nd round pick in 1989 – Kent Manderville | To Toronto Maple LeafsRob Ramage |

### Waivers

| October 3, 1988 | To Los Angeles KingsDale DeGray |
| October 3, 1988 | From Philadelphia FlyersBrad Marsh |

### Free agents

| Player | Former Team |
| Craig Laughlin | Los Angeles Kings |
| Alan Hepple | New Jersey Devils |
| Paul Gagne | New Jersey Devils |
| Doug Shedden | Baltimore Skipjacks (AHL) |