5 random players you forgot were on the Toronto Maple Leafs
By Kyle McKenna
2. Robert Reichel
Forward Robert Reichel recorded 60 or more points in a season on five occasions during his NHL career. The 1989 fourth-round draft pick also netted two 40-goal campaigns with the Calgary Flames in 1992-93 and 1993-94.
The Czech Republic native spent parts of five seasons with the Flames and was later traded to the Islanders at the 1996-97 NHL Trade Deadline before being traded again in 1998-99 to the Coyotes. The point-producing machine later joined the Maple Leafs in 2001-02 and fans likely forget that Reichel spent his final three NHL seasons in Toronto.
While Reichel was a reliable center, he was never an NHL All-Star nor won any awards. Unfortunately, Reichel never appeared in a Stanley Cup Final, either. Similar to other players on this list, the former fourth-round pick seemed to always be overshadowed by household names and future Hockey Hall of Famers.
That scenario was no different during his time in Toronto. Though, the 5-foot-10 forward recorded productive seasons with the Leafs. Reichel’s first season donning an Original Six franchise sweater turned out as his best, after he netted 20 goals and chipped in 31 helpers. His 51 points ranked fifth on the team that year, while Sundin was the only player to record more than 60 points.
No. 21 earned three-game winning goals that season, but managed to produce a goose-egg during the 2001-02 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Keep in mind that Toronto advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals and played in two Game 7’s prior to losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games.
The consistent point-producer during the regular season only recorded eight points in 37 postseason contests with Toronto, and fans have to wonder if the Leafs advanced to the Cup final in 2001-02 if he’d even be on this list.
Reichel finished his NHL career with over 600 points and recorded 34 game-winning goals in 11 NHL seasons.