The Toronto Maple Leafs have the advantage of playing hockey in Canada’s biggest city in Canada’s most populated province. More kids grow up wanting to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs than any other team in the NHL.
This fact has helped them attract “Toronto boy” and “Ontario boy” free agents such as John Tavares, T.J. Brodie, Michael Bunting, Wayne Simmonds, Jason Spezza and Mark Giordano. Some players are even willing to accept a “hometown discount” to join the Toronto Maple Leafs.
For example, Michael Bunting became the NHL’s best point-per-dollar player (not on an entry level contract) this season after signing a two year deal worth an average of $950,000 per season.