Why Dave Keon is Widely Regarded as the Greatest Toronto Maple Leaf of All Time

When the Toronto Maple Leafs unveiled their list of the top 100 players in franchise history during their 2016 Centennial celebrations, one name stood above the rest: Dave Keon. For fans, historians, and former players alike, this decision wasn’t a surprise—it was a recognition of a player whose legacy goes far beyond statistics.

Keon played for the Leafs from 1960 to 1975, a 15-season tenure that included some of the most successful years in franchise history. During that time, he helped lead Toronto to four Stanley Cup championships—in 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1967. His performance in the 1967 playoffs, particularly, was so dominant and reliable that he was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

But Keon was never just about winning. His game embodied the traits every coach dreams of in a player: speed, intelligence, discipline, and two-way excellence. He was a defensive-minded center who could still contribute offensively.

His ability to shut down the league’s top forwards without taking penalties helped him earn the Lady Byng Trophy in 1962 for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct. Earlier, in 1961, he had captured the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.

Keon’s legacy is also one of quiet leadership and integrity. Despite a difficult relationship with management in his later years, which led to a long absence from team events, fans never forgot his contribution. When he returned to the fold in 2016, it was a powerful moment of reconciliation between a franchise and its most iconic figure.

While other greats like Mats Sundin, Syl Apps, Doug Gilmour, and Johnny Bower each left indelible marks on the franchise, none combined elite play, championship success, and historical resonance quite like Keon. His balanced excellence and lasting influence are why Dave Keon is still considered the greatest Toronto Maple Leaf of all time.