It feels like the Maple Leafs have been searching for centre depth for a decade.



At least that’s the sense I get, given that’s the time frame I’ve been around the team, writing about things like this.



In 2005-06, the team’s fourth line centre was Clarke Wilm. The next year, it was John Pohl. Then Kyle Wellwood, John Mitchell, Wayne Primeau, Tim Brent, Dave Steckel, Jay McClement, Jerred Smithson, Trevor Smith and Byron Froese filled the hole. Rarely has there been any continuity at the position.



Most of these centres were distinguished only by the number of gripes fans had when they were on the ice.(These stats are only since 2007-08, when the full data is available via Corsica.Hockey.)



Basically what we learn here is: Most were weak at possession (46 per cent average), almost all were clobbered in goal differential (under 40 per cent), most did well on faceoffs (52 per cent) but took more penalties than they drew...