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Toronto Maple Leafs: Top 5 Coaches of All Time

By David Morassutti

Mar 2, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock (R) talks to his team during a timeout against the Washington Capitals in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock (R) talks to his team during a timeout against the Washington Capitals in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Feb 18, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; The Stanley Cup rests on a table next to a gift replica Cup and an honorary jersey for President Barack Obama (not pictured) prior to a ceremony honoring the 2015 Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in the East Room at the White House. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Hap Day (1941-1950)

Regular Season 

Games Coached: 546

Record:  259-206-81

Winning Percentage: .549

Playoffs

Games Coached: 80

Record: 49-31

Winning Percentage: .613

It was a tough decision for number one, but Day’s track record speaks for itself. Five Stanley Cups in 10 seasons as head coach — the most by a coach in franchise history –, one as a player and another as the Leafs assistant manager.

His 259 wins as coach rank third behind Imlach and Quinn, but his 49 victories in the playoffs still ranks first on the Leafs all-time list. His .613 winning percentage in the playoffs is also the best in franchise history (George O’Donoghue only coached two playoff games).

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The closest coach to Day was Quinn, who had a .513 winning percentage in the same number of games. Syl Apps, Ted Kennedy, Turk Broda, Harry Watson and Howie Meeker were vital components of the Leafs core during Day’s tenure.

When Sportsnet did their rankings of the greatest Leafs of all time, Day ranked 17th overall, mostly for his contributions as a player. In that article, they quoted his approach to the game.

Day said: “I learned early that it was defensive play that won hockey games. Good defencemen and goalies are important, but defence must be a total team project.”

In 1942, he coached the team to on of the greatest Stanley Cup comeback of all time, after the Leafs lost the first three games of the finals to Detroit. They stormed back to win four in a row and claim the Stanley Cup – officials would have a tough time with Day behind the bench, because he knew the rule book inside out and would make sure he used it to his advantage.

Day’s most notable achievement with the Leafs came when he led them to three Stanley Cups in a row. It was the first time in NHL history that a team accomplished the hat-trick when the Leafs did it in 1947, 1948 and 1949.

He would move on from his coaching duties to become the assistant general manger, although he did most of the work running the team under Conn Smythe. Day should receive more credit for making the Leafs into what they are today.

The team had not won a Stanley Cup since 1932, the team that he played on. It is for that reason that we put Day at the top of the Leafs coaching rankings.

Next: Will a Leafs rookie win the Calder this season?

What’s your take on our list of the Leafs’ top coaches of all time? Do you agree with the order? Would you have included anyone else? Let us know in the comments section below.

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