New Stats reveal Leafs have a Quarter of the Toughest Players in the NHL

As safety standards progress in the league, the NHL has implemented some mandatory equipment. pieces such as mouthguards and visors are worn by 99% of the league.

As for visors, it is actually more like 99.4%, as only eight players remain visorless in the NHL. This is because the equipment became mandatory in the early 2010s, and very few players both pre-date the ruling and opt not to wear the equipment.

Are the Maple Leafs the Toughest Team in the League?

The Maple Leafs somehow have two of these players, Jordie Benn, and the newly acquired Ryan O'Reilly.


This, in a way, makes them the toughest team in the league.

Other players include Zach Bogosian, Zack Kassian, Milan Lucic, Ryan Reaves, Matt Martin, and Jamie Benn. Fellow Maple Leaf Wayne Simmonds has started wearing a visor despite starting his career without.

These players all fit the archetype of a tough-guy, barring the dynamic two-way O'Reilly.

It's safe to say, however, that there is some old-fashioned toughness on the Leafs. That's always a good thing.

Source: Hockey Feed