Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Favorite Leafs Enforcer
Dec 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Maple Leafs logo at center ice before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had their fair share of enforcers over the years, some more effective than others at their job.
In this week’s Toronto Maple Leafs roundtable the question is simple:
Who is your favorite Leafs enforcer of all-time?
Nick DeSouza: Gary Roberts
My favorite enforcer of all time would have to be Gary Roberts. To me, an effective enforcer is not someone who goes on the ice just to start a fight.
More from Editor In Leaf
Although I’m sure fights do affect a team’s momentum, I would much rather have a player who can change the momentum in other ways, such as a big hit on the forecheck, a strong shift, or of course, creating a scoring chance.
Roberts was able to do the latter three very well when playing with the Leafs, while dropping the gloves when necessary. During these years, He was a consistent 20 goal scorer and had some strong production in the postseason. In present day Roberts continues to be a positive impact on the game.
He has become a fitness god in the hockey world training players like Steven Stamkos and Connor McDavid. With the influx of talent rushing in from the Leafs prospect pool, the Leafs might want to give one last call to this Leafs legend, Gary Roberts.
Feb 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Former Boston Bruins goalie Dave Reece (30) is greeted by former Toronto Maple Leafs player Dave Tiger Williams (22) as Darryl Sittler (not pictured) is honored on the fortieth anniversary of his record-setting 10-point game during a ceremony before the start of the game against the New Jersey Devils at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sandy Taver: Tiger Williams
Immediately it comes down to 3 candidates one of which, Wendell Clarke was more a player who fought than an enforcer. So that leaves Tie Domi and Tiger Williams both of whom were capable players and tough as nails.
The final pick goes to Williams because he came to the Leafs when they had a fairly soft team and were easily pushed around.
More from Editor In Leaf
The Flyers used to come to the gardens and beat up the Leafs while running up the score. They had girl names for the Leaf players and would call them by those names while slamming them into the wall or trying to gaud them into fighting which rarely happened.
When Tiger came in it started the turnaround for the Leafs both in the style they played and the results in ice. Although hardly a big man at 5 11 and 187 Tiger was a smart fighter. He’d grab his (usually bigger) opponent and draw him close then move off while slipping an uppercut to the jaw.
Tiger was fearless and gave every Leaf player confidence that they didn’t have to worry about the rough stuff. More importantly Tiger chipped in with goals and could play on the top line with Sittler and McDonald because he knew where the net was as well as how to create chances for his line mates.
The all time penalty leader knew what it took for him to stay in the nhl and did everything he had to which gave him a long career and respect from his teammates, coaches, management and the fans. There likely hasn’t been a player who accomplished more with such limited talent and for that he is my favorite Leaf enforcer.
Apr 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Maple Leafs logo on the offices of the Air Canada Centre before the final game of the season against the Montreal Canadiens at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Tim Chiasson: Tie Domi
Tie Domi was one of the toughest Leafs of all-time and he battled it out with the biggest heavyweights the game has seen over the last 30 years.
Although he’s been out of the league for ten years, and so have most of the players he used to go toe to toe with, there aren’t many active players who could handle the players Domi used to throw down with.
Domi was at a disadvantage nearly every time he dropped the gloves because he was usually shorter than his combatant. That didn’t matter to him, though, because he went out swinging to punish with each throw.
Domi was one hell of a fighter and he had better hands than most people think. He’s a case of a player who may have been held back in his accomplishments within the game because of the “need” for fighting every period.
Regardless, he’s an easy choice for me for favorite enforcer.
Let us know who your favorite Leafs enforcers are from the 100 year history of the club in the comment section.
This article originally appeared on 
