What 60 Years of Failure Looks Like…

Since the Toronto Maple Leafs last hoisted the Stanley Cup, a time when Elvis Presley dominated the charts, gas was a mere 33 cents a gallon, and the world hadn't yet witnessed a moon landing, the NHL has expanded to 26 teams and undergone significant changes. Despite the evolution of the game and the addition of new teams and rules, one thing has remained constant: the Maple Leafs' playoff disappointments. From heartbreaking defeats to monumental collapses, each postseason ends in familiar anguish, leaving the Leafs and their loyal fans trapped in a cycle of hope and heartbreak, haunted by the ghosts of past failures.

[@jimtrack3786]

It's no so bad. The Chicago Cubs won the World Series a few years back. Prior to that, their last win came while the Titanic was under construction.

[@petertalsness3238]

Uh it's bad. The Maple Leafs have been loaded with cash and talent and can't get it done.

[@onikwa]

​@@petertalsness3238cash? Cash doesn't matter in the cap era. All teams have the same amount of cash. They actually have less cash to give to players than American teams since income taxes are higher in Canada.

[@chrisolivo6591]

But the Cubs played in a sport where less teams make the playoffs. Until 1994, only Division winners made the playoffs. The NHL since 1979 has 16 teams make the playoffs, so the odds are much better. I’m a Flyers fan and our Cup drought is 1975 so i feel for Leafs fans.

[@tvojemanka]

Cause it's baseball, they might aswell flip a coin, so pointless and boring.

[@SimRacingVeteran]

94 was the last real cup contending team the Leafs ever really had. Some people will say the early 2000’s as well but 94 was a great team.

[@gregestabrooks4211]

Its poop-pah not puppah

[@Thomas-ry8xq]

93

[@therealjaystone2344]

93 was their one and only chance. 94 didn’t stood a chance.

[@Heatx79]

Had to stop video at 94, Pavel broke my heart; was the last year we could have seen two Canadian teams contending in the finals… Leafs v Canucks would have been glorious

[@Heatx79]

Pavel Bure was way ahead of his time, he was the first real zoomer (all dad puns intended)

[@alext7202]

The following teams have never played a NHL game in the month of June: Seattle Kraken Minnesota Wild Columbus Blue Jackets Arizona Coyotes And Toronto Maple Leafs

[@husg13]

i was born into a lifetime of disappointment. God help the city of tdot if they ever win a cup again. it will be mayhem.

[@BrayGoesTV]

And the fact that the Leafs are over 100 years old and not once have played hockey in June is just plain retarded.

[@SimRacingVeteran]

@@husg13 - the turnout for the Raptors parade was insane. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like when the Leafs finally do it. The city will shut down for a week.

[@kkkkkk-km7ss]

Winnipeg

[@tonterswayy4626]

lol wild are trash

[@SimRacingVeteran]

At the end of the day, when it comes to playoff hockey. Whatever you did during the season no longer matters.

[@clientshii]

I'm from Europe, I really could have become a fan of any team, but my dumb a$$ fell in love with the Leafs back when I was a kid..

[@mckessa17]

Ya really have to be from Toronto to be a Leafs fan, otherwise it makes no sense.

[@thomasgates9815]

This seemed like an introduction to what would be an amazing documentary. Would love more content.

[@jadenippersiel912]

We wouldn’t be talking about this without Harold Ballard, he’s the one to thank for the misery

[@BlastKetchup]

I just got into hockey not to long ago, mind telling me why’s that?

[@Birdman957]

​@BlastKetchup he was the majority owner of the Leafs from 1972-1990. He is the NHL's version of Dan Snyder, heck he might actually be worse than Snyder.

[@BlastKetchup]

@@Birdman957 Dan Schneider? How can anyone be worse than him

[@johnl6277]

This is a good overview. There's a much longer video that detailed the Leafs seasons since their last Cup in 1967 that I'd say is a good extended course on Leafs' failures.

[@user-cq4hc3gq6p]

Great content and excellent analysis. Well done. And that's coming from a Hab fan.

[@HecticHockey]

Much appreciated!

[@chrisolivo6591]

As a Flyers fan, we are #2 on the Cup drought behind Toronto. We haven’t won the Cup since 1975 and have missed the playoffs 8 of the last 12 years. We are the definition of mediocre for the past decade.

[@freshair986]

If it makes you feel any better, I am a huge fan of both teams. It’s the hardest trophy to win in sports for a reason. Other teams are not winning either. Both the flyers and the leafs are the most passionate fanbases in hockey. What I wouldn’t give to see one of them win a cup.

[@blowstuffup1]

Canucks and Sabres would like to have a talk. They have been around since 1970 and have never won a cup.

[@freshair986]

@@blowstuffup1Very good point! 👏

[@nbarealtalker]

Mid 90s Leafs with Potvin, Gilmore, Gartner, Clarke Andrychuck etc was the last great Leafs squad and probably the greatest Leafs team of the last 50 years.

[@deBebbler]

"WE WANT FLORIDA" and they got them

[@kaileyselin8453]

I’m no Toronto fan but as an Oilers fan who had our own decade of darkness I feel for them.

[@billblake9665]

Leafs fans I feel your pain. My flyers 49 years no cup lost in finals 76 80 85 87 97 2010.....i am 57 i will die before they win another cup. It sucks man good luck to you guys

[@bradhorowitz2765]

it’s not so bad. The Maple Leads Did something no other teams has ever done. They lost to a 42 year old Zamboni driver who worked for them.

[@casketbrain7697]

And That Zamboni Driver Got A Young Guns Card

[@arn7992]

It could be worse, Canucks and Sabres have never won a Cup. Their fans are long overdue.

[@frankmahovilich4995]

Love this doc!

[@steph1433]

57 yrs thank you

That 93 team was one of my favorite teams of any sport. I'm from Detroit and by that point the Wings had a bad habit of trading away young talent. Adam Graves and Adam Oates come to my instantly. I thank the Leafs for guys like Bobby Rouse and Jamie Macoun on defense. Both helped the Wings win cups.

[@hyperinactive8294]

Dave Keon was my favorite player when I was a kid...at least I have that.

[@FischerFan]

As a Habs fan, allow me to state that the game of hockey will NEVER produce a finer, on-the-ice gentleman than Dave.

[@johnsmith7345]

First year I played Hockey I chose number 14 cause Dave Keon was my favourite player.

[@Elementsoftheory29]

Just brushed over the kings series .

[@HecticHockey]

Was such a great series, could’ve gone more in depth.

[@therealjaystone2344]

It was rigged as well too

[@johnsmith7345]

doesn't fit the agenda can't even get the title correct

[@dbhlbum4160]

Darren Puppa pronounced Poopa

[@kevindiamond2715]

I came to see if anyone else noticed. Hah.

[@PipeChoir]

I was born in Cleveland Ohio....ya know...a Browns fan....I feel your pain...

[@Rocky_theman_]

Kings fan here, nice vid I enjoyed it

[@HecticHockey]

Appreciate it

[@Eman-yh3vb]

And we still have the second most cups in nhl

[@TheRealFunko-Momo0806]

You have a better chance at winning the lottery than the Maple Leafs winning the cup. That's just sad...

[@DharmYogi]

The 1993 team was the best lead team. We won that cup but the reg screwed us in game 6

[@APJTA]

I was hoping there would be more focus on the Ballard years. If not for Ballard I would have expected the Leafs to win at least one cup in the 70s and 80s.

[@donniedoesdishes]

great video

[@danshobbies13]

I remember in 2000 when the Devils beat them in 6 games, and Toronto only got 6 shots on goal in that game.

[@HunterMagunter]

Really good video

[@20thCenturyManTrad]

The key that the Leafs have lacked since 1967, is a true long term culture that is team first, defense first, and demands winning. For either terrible ownership or poor team building, they have never long term had a culture of winning. That is established by finding a core that epitomizes that culture, as well as a long time captain that epitomizes that culture.

[@jeffgriffiths5945]

the way they celebrated the round 1 win - lol

[@freshair986]

If your team hasn’t won a round in 13 years. You would celebrate also 😏

[@homerguy4444]

@@freshair98620 years lol

[@lewispaine4589]

Warms my heart

[@MrWaifuTaker]

As a Leafs fan, my expectations for the leafs were as low as they can get but HOLY CRAP

[@ryans413]

They are not a playoff team to be honest I was surprised they beat Tampa that one year.

[@jeffgriffiths5945]

it ruined the whole narrative!

[@kolasillers7776]

I was born in 1967.

[@robrick9361]

Gather the firewood boys we got a human sacrifice to prepare.

[@mckessa17]

I was born in 58, barely remember the 67 team

[@yohonza]

This could be a mini-series.

[@djphlange]

They focused more on the business of the maple leafs instead of the actual game

[@mattduchene8033]

Ppl forget that Ballard really fucked this team after 67 like that's one of the reasons leafs never had success in the 70's 80's all the way til 93

[@Abbittibbi]

You don't get it, they don't need to win, the arena is always filled to capacity, and selling memorabilia. Players don't get paid more for playoffs, so why would they care? Besides, nobody(with a very few exceptions) is actually from the town they represent, every player in major sports(not just hockey) is a mercenary.

[@eddy5097]

Pat Quinn and his first year as leaf coach was so special becauae we had zero expectations and did so well...

[@scottnewton9060]

Going on 58 years, not 60.

[@ScottPetro-tc3jn]

I always believed that the leafs would have just been another folded expansion team if they had never won as much as they did prior to 1967. They wouldn't be able to market the team in the same way and would just be a really old franchise that shuffles through players again and again without ever really accomplishing much of anything. Which is basically what they are now but the only difference is the history of the team. They were great but that was a really long time ago and when it wasn't as difficult to win as it is now. Which is kind of sad because they have fans and their market is good.

[@Pocketrocket-pj1us]

1:45 Winning in 6 games, is not, 'making quick work of...' I know it's a bit of pedantic criticism but if you are talking about a Leafs team, that were not Expected to win a game (in the playoffs), 'quick work' in the 'Original 6', is never Easy! Game 3 of the finals, was know as one of the greatest hockey games ever played. A game that was tied, going into the 3rd and took 46 more minutes of playtime, until the next goal was scored...in the 2nd Overtime! Bob Pulford scored his only goal of the playoffs and his last, (of 25 goals) in his storied career. Please Remember, 'The Original 6' , were the BEST 100 hockey players on the continent, (and in our minds, the planet) and there were over 20 H.O.F. er's involved in the series!!! In that time, every game, was like an All-Star game! I'm being facetious but not by much!! It's Nothing Personal to you but important to grasp, none the less. Cheers, et Bonjour! From Montreal Quebec Canada

[@GusMacGus313]

6:04 what is “instrumountable” thats not a word ☠️ I think you mean “insurmountable”

[@KChiefs4]

As a Habs fan who lives in Leafs fan territory I would love more of this!

[@jeffreyg4626]

I know this guy is young.... but Elvis Presley's peak was 1958 not 1967. This Beatles were at their peak in 1967. Elvis's years of "dominating the charts" was long over. In '68 Elvis began a very decent comeback that lasted for a few years.

[@danebrackvitch4901]

Not winning it all is not failure. Sucking year in and year out would be failure.

[@invaderjaymz]

I miss Darren poppa

[@Pocketrocket-pj1us]

Without looking at subs, views, likes or comments, I must make a statement, that I may regret but 60 years of failure, should require more than 15 minutes. O.K. Like Don Cherry liked to say: LET'S GO!!

[@marting1984]

I don't see how you can count the Ballard and TDSB years of ownership. For those that know why, they know. For all the others that just want to Leaf bash, go ahead, who cares.

[@stefanc4520]

It's also important to note that throughout this period of abysmal mediocrity the Leafs were CONSISTENTLY one of the most valuable franchises in NHL and had some of the highest paid rosters every year! Where is the incentive to change when people will give you money no matter how garbage you are?

[@jaysee1882]

Just saying, because I've heard so much from the media, pundits and fans......nothing has changed. Is it possible that the core 4 have created a toxic locker room environment? If that's the case then each and every one of the core 4 needs to leave?

[@DharmYogi]

Leafs will win the cup when they beat Boston and Montreal in the playoffs. Joe Woll will be the goaltender. Mark my word. He will end the curse

[@UpwardsIntoTheRabbitHole]

Urinating Tree gonna whomp you for this. Lol.

[@CutterHistorical]

I was just about to make the comment about Urinating Tree doing a much more detailed video about the Leafs failures which I couldnt wait to download... even tho I am a Leafs fan

[@classic.cameras]

@@CutterHistorical I love when the tree trashes a franchise. Its the best.

[@James_Bee]

There's only ONE option if Matthews and the Leafs want to raise the cup; Matthews has to shave the stache. That's it. Cup in the bag.

[@MrSpeaker69]

Ya but i got a good feeling about next year.

[@badmanskill1112]

I'm 60. I thought this was gonna be about my life because of the title.

[@TBevill1231]

I’m sure if the Leafs did eventually win it, it would be a dark day for a lot of bandwagons and the league as a whole.

[@gregkirby9059]

BRO at least they get into the playoffs

[@MrUndersolo]

The Beatles were together. Bob Marley didn't have his dreads yet. Harold Ballard was not yet sole owner of the team. (insert fact here)

[@thedude3065]

Wish you mentioned their defeat in 02

[@nevarmaor]

Not a total sixty year failure. Leafs have won the cup twice in the last sixty years.

[@user-qo1gk2kj3e]

Gas 33 cents per gallon...8 cents litre.

[@Lurvy1963]

Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs are haunted by th Harold Ballard curse? The team never seems to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals.

[@15DurangoRT]

Did you notice that Boston player patting that Toronto player on the pp in the beginning of the video?

[@user-oi9bg6fx5t]

Amazing, imagine the lakers or Yankees with this record. Yet they still make 4x what Detroit makes.

[@David_prod-eNGee]

So we're rounding up to 60 hey? wtf. Or are we just expecting the next 3 years to be failures too? Either way, I'm offended.

[@johnsmith7345]

doesn't fit the agenda easy to get clicks if you rag on the Leafs

[@melissaj9504]

Same

[@johnsmith7345]

Get easy clicks by ragging on the Leafs speaks what this channel is about not subscribed

[@RedPillBased]

Oh waaah. Buffalo hasnt sniffed the playoffs in 14 years.

[@Eman-yh3vb]

Facts bro

[@AbesamisM]

this is so mean. thank you. lol

[@poejavelski148]

Fun fact: the Leafs have never won more than 2 rounds in a single playoff run.

[@yones_wav]

New York Jets have almost the same problem

[@ratedRblazin420]

4:11 "with a 103 points"

[@notyourrealfather]

Cubs went 108 years before getting a championship, so they still have a ways to go before becoming the crown champs of North American failures

[@aaronvogt335]

My Sabres have 54! Plus we never won a Cup Leafs have and its PEW-PA not PA-PA

[@Onlytheclouds]

Great video. Small error though it’s pronounced “poop-uh” not “pup-uh” cheers

[@waynedeadder664]

Insurmountable, not “intramountable”

[@MikeG42]

Good thing the Leafs dont play for Uday Hussein 😬

[@5starcollectibles103]

Nice video. Just a heads up. It's pronounced Darren Poopa.

[@sidneymcdavid]

The failure will not end anytime soon This is a very overrated organization with bad ownership, poor management and players without much heart.

[@andrewhamp2893]

Darren Pyu-bah or Poo-bah. Not Papa. As far as I know.

[@Heatx79]

TLDW, so you have or haven’t realized it’s fixed yet?

[@15DurangoRT]

And by the way it's pronounced "poop"a not "pup"a.

[@OWlsfordshire]

Whats worse is the Oilers cant even use a legacy of failure of mistake. They've been gifted Gretzky and McDavid and are still a delusional laughing stock.

[@johnsmith7345]

must be a jealous Canuck fan thats NEVER won a Cup

[@BluesMan1234]

Oilers are heading to the third round, Canucks sitting on the sidelines and the Oilers are the delusional ones. 😂😂😂

[@Mikegritz]

So the Leafs Peaked in the 22-23 Season. Does this mean they need to rebuild?

[@StreetFig]

they peaked in 1967

[@johnsmith7345]

The following NHL teams have NEVER won the Stanley Cup: Vancouver Canucks Winnipeg Jets Buffalo Sabres Ottawa Senators San Jose Sharks Minnesota Wild Columbus Blue Jackets Florida Panthers Nashville Predators Arizona Coyotes Seattle Kracken Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres have the longest history of 52 years of NEVER winning it all. Leafs at 55 years (13 Cups) and Rangers at 54 years (3 Cups) previous to 94 cup.

[@johnsmith7345]

How easy it is to point fingers when your team has never won anything.

[@SylveonMujigae]

San Jose Sharks

[@johnsmith7345]

@@SylveonMujigae Jose can you see ... by the dawns early light

[@hucz]

I guess you don't know how to do math, because 60 years would mean 2027, and it's 2024. Just saying.

[@HecticHockey]

rounding

[@TigrouTheHp]

It honestly pains me to watch the Leafs, one of the most enjoyable part of the playoffs is watching your favourite players play out of their mind, giving everything for the cup. The Leafs core 4 just aren't there at all, kinda boring hockey.

[@nateballou3321]

The leafs overpaid their core 4 guys!? They gave them these huge contracts without the players really accomplishing anything to really earn that kind of $!? And all 4 of em r kinda the same kinda players.. they're all good scorers in regular season but that's about it!? U gotta have more than just offense to win the cup!? U need great D and amazing goaltending too!!??

[@igolffff]

Doesn't failure depend on the goal? The Leafs want to drain their fans bank accounts, not win cups. So how are they failing?

[@nathanpeters6765]

The leafs have never won a third round matchup

[@a17yearoldonyoutubeluigi]

It’s the curse of Harold Ballard. Man ran this team like a circus, culminated by an underground sex ring hosted underneath the old Gardens. I will forever be convinced as a Leaf fan that the franchise will forever suffer the wrath of the sports gods for everything that sicko did during his reign, and we will be content with that. At least the Raptors brought pride to the city 5 years back.

[@ENGlishJELLo-yk7up]

His last name is pronounced "Poo-pa" 2:15

[@johnsmith7345]

1967 -2023 is 56 years not 60 ??? Do the math Hectic Hockey geesh !

[@Thomas-ry8xq]

What about 1969?

[@nickgower8681]

Considering the talent in Ontario, I'm surprised

[@Pocketrocket-pj1us]

POO-PAA Darren Puppa :)

[@BiGPeanutGaming]

All this video has done is convince me its fixed

[@blairbailey6199]

You skiped 1999 and 2002 playoffs were the Leafs lost in the final 4 also.

[@Pocketrocket-pj1us]

First off, the good word. As far as the series' you lived through. Not bad. Your audio and video didn't match correctly a few times. So as you were talking about game 5, the footage was for game 6, etc. No big deal. We all make little mistakes, here and there. You spoke of 1993, without speaking of Wayne Gretzky, or Kerry Fraser. More research is needed. I do understand, it's easier for me because I lived it and watched every game. The mispronounced D. Puppa, made me laugh because that's what we called him, back in the early 90's, while in grade 8 ot 9. But in all honestly, if you're not sure of a name, you can type it into google and listen to a automated voice. Failling that, youtube will surely have a game that he played, back when he broke in with Buffalo. Finally, the title. That is just not correct. An easy fix? Say, 'What 60 years of Hockey failure, means to me.' That way, you stick to what you lived through and now, you can describe your personal experience. How it made you feel, as a fan! It's not that, you shouldn't talk about the 'ancient' past. lol It just means, if you love your team, like I love mine...Start reading and watching, Leaf-centric content, from the past! The fact you did a video, that was supposed to cover, or talk about 60 years of the Leafs and you did not even mention, CONN SMYTHE and even more important, if you want to know how a team can miss the mark for this long. You must pry open the coffin and clear your throat. All so you may speak, of THE HOCKEY DEVIL HIMSELF HAROLD BALLARD!! Maybe you've heard some stories but there is an amazing video, made by 'urinatingtree' (I think it's him). Anyway. WATCH IT I have a book, it only goes to the late 80's but it is facinating. It is called, 'MAPLE LEAF BLUES' I'm guessing you can find it on Amazon. These two pieces, of a fascinating Jigg-Saw puzzle, will shock you, amaze you and tell you, if this is a subject, you want to continue with. Why am I spending all this time with you? I see potential and before I started in the business, I had a mentor. A man that 'shoved me' in the right direction! ;) To learn, we need two things. An Open Mind and someone to start filling it! Let me know if you ever have a question and I do hope you succeed in all, that you choose to accomplish! Peace Love Hockey! Salut, from Montreal Quebec Canada.