Division 5th Northeast 2009–10 record 30–38–14 Road record 12–21–8 Coach Ron Wilson | Conference 15th Eastern Home record 18–17–6 Goals for 214 | |
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The 2009–10 Toronto Maple Leafs season is the franchise's 93rd, and their 83rd as the Maple Leafs. The Leafs have not qualified for the post-season since the 2003–04 season. The team began the regular season with its worst start in franchise history by recording no wins in the first eight games.
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Team business
The team moved to a new practice facility, the MasterCard Centre, from their former practice facility, the Lakeshore Lions Arena. Built next door to the old arena, the new facility has four ice sheets, allowing the Maple Leafs and their farm team the Toronto Marlies to practice simultaneously on separate sheets.
Off-season
At the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Maple Leafs chose centre Nazem Kadri with their first round pick, seventh overall.
In free agency, the Maple Leafs signed two defencemen of note – Mike Komisarek of the Montreal Canadiens and Francois Beauchemin of the Anaheim Ducks, signing both to multiple-year deals. At the same time, defenceman Pavel Kubina was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers for fellow defenceman Garnet Exelby. The Leafs also signed free agents Colton Orr and Tim Brent.
After extensive talks, the Leafs were able to sign highly regarded Swedish free agent goaltender Jonas Gustavsson, who was considering offers from several NHL teams.
The Leafs dealt for Boston Bruins' forward Phil Kessel, trading two first round draft picks and a second round draft pick. Kessel started the season on the injured list as he was recovering from an off-season shoulder surgery.
Regular season
The Leafs got off to a slow start to the NHL season, with a record of 0–7–1, the worst start for the Leafs since the NHL formed in 1917. Additionally, the Leafs surrendered the first goal to their opposition in each of their first 11 games, and 17 of their first 19 games.
The Leafs struggled on the power play during the regular season, finishing 30th in power-play percentage, at just 13.97% (44 for 315). They also struggled on the penalty kill, allowing the most power-play goals in the League, with 73, and having the lowest penalty-kill percentage, at 74.65%.
Conference standings
bold – Qualified for playoffs; y – Won division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy (and division)
AT - Atlantic Division, NE - Northeast Division, SE - Southeast Division
Record based on Toronto (or opposition) scoring first goal(s)
updated to game played April 10, 2010
Playoffs
The Toronto Maple Leafs were trying to achieve their first qualification since the 2003–04 NHL season, however they were mathematically eliminated after their 77th game. They were the first team eliminated in the Eastern Conference. Currently, only the Florida Panthers have failed to qualify for the playoffs for more consecutive years.