While players soaked up rays on an assortment of beaches down south, taking their minds completely off sport, Toronto Maple Leafs management had time to reflect and properly gauge the swift development of its fledgling roster.

A lot to unpack in five days.

At this time last year, the Leafs were a last-place team sending Leo Komarov to the All-Star Game. Now, it's more likely than not that they'll become the third team this century to go from last place to making the playoffs the following season. Oh, and they'll be represented in Los Angeles on All-Star weekend by Auston Matthews, a genuine marquee attraction.

The turnaround has caught even general manager Lou Lamoriello by surprise. At least a little bit.

"I would say we're a little ahead of where we might have thought we could (be), but (that's) really not saying that we shouldn't be here," Lamoriello said, via TSN.

"You don't know how quickly some of the young players will adjust."

He's right: it has all hinged on the kids, who have exceeded expectations across the board. Matthews and Marner have been particularly impressive, scoring at a rate that compares favorably to the best 19-year-old seasons we've seen, and Matthews is already a shot-dominant center in the NHL.

But it really has been by (rookie) committee. Six rookies, in particular, who all rank in the top 11 in team scoring and have produced 45 percent of the team's total goals.

All indications suggest this group will only improve, but for this momentum to continue swelling, the focus must stay on the process - which resumes at practice Thursday afternoon.

"We have to be careful," Lamoriello said. "We can't get high, we can't get low. But we certainly feel good about the direction that we're going and not getting off really the course of what has to be done to have success."

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