The Toronto Maple Leafs have a storied history of defensive missteps, with several signings and trades that have left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. One such move that continues to haunt the franchise is the acquisition of defenseman Jeff Finger in 2008.
In the summer of 2008, then-general manager Cliff Fletcher made a bold move by signing Finger to a four-year, $14 million contract. At the time, Finger had played only 92 NHL games over two seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, recording 24 points. Despite this limited experience, the Maple Leafs saw potential in the 28-year-old defenseman and offered him a significant contract.
However, Finger’s tenure in Toronto was nothing short of disastrous. In his first season, he managed just 23 points in 66 games, a modest output that did little to justify his hefty salary. The following season was even worse; Finger played only 39 games, amassing a mere 10 points. His performance declined to the point where he was waived and spent the remainder of his contract in the American Hockey League (AHL). citeturn0search1
This signing stands out not only because of Finger’s underwhelming performance but also due to the timing and scale of the contract. Investing such a substantial sum in a player with limited NHL experience was a gamble that did not pay off, contributing to the Maple Leafs’ reputation for questionable personnel decisions during that era.
Finger’s case serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of overvaluing potential based on limited evidence. For the Maple Leafs, it remains one of the most glaring examples of defensive mismanagement in their history.
