OTD in 2016, the Maple Leafs franchise changed forever

Six years ago today, the Toronto Maple Leafs' organization capped off their top-to-bottom rebuild by drafting a player who could end up going down in history as the best Leaf ever in Auston Matthews with their first overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft.

Auston Matthews made an unforgettable first impression in his first career NHL game to kick off the 2016-17 season, becoming the first player ever to score four goals in his NHL debut. Matthews went on to score 36 more goals in his first season and help bring the Maple Leafs back to the playoffs, and winning the Calder Trophy, as the League's Rookie of the Year that season.

Matthews' meteoric rise was a treat to watch for Leafs fans over the last 6 years, culminating in a 2021-22 season that saw the 24-year-old break Maple Leafs franchise records. Matthews played 73 games this season, tallying 106 points. He was the first player since Steven Stamkos in 2011-12 to score 60 goals in a season. This achievement helped Matthews to secure his second consecutive Rocket Richard Trophy and his first Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award.

With 457 points in 407 games, Matthews is already the Leafs' 15th highest scoring player in franchise history. His 259 career NHL goals rank 9th all time on the Leafs' goal scoring list, leaving him just 161 goals back of Mats Sundin for the all-time franchise lead in that category.

Maple Leafs fans have fallen in love with this kid from Scottsdale, Arizona. Matthews is a generational goal scorer and an incredible talent and could be destined to one day have himself a bronze statue on Legends Row. He's about as good a chance as the Leafs have had to lead them to a Stanley Cup and while he's been unable to accomplish that feat yet, it may be coming.

June 24th will always be a special day for Leafs Nation, but it will take on a whole new meaning if Matthews can help break the curse and take the Buds to the promised land.

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