Compliments all around from the coach of the Washington Capitals.
Barry Trotz opened his postgame press conference Sunday by paying respect to his opponent, congratulating the Toronto Maple Leafs and their management staff on the season that was.
"You've got a hell of a team," Trotz told Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock.
Barry Trotz says he felt like he saw the #leafs growing before his eyes in this series.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 24, 2017
The Maple Leafs were a surprise playoff entry this season after finishing in last place a year ago. That earned the Maple Leafs the top pick in the 2016 draft and the right to select Auston Matthews, who led the club with 40 goals this season.
One year later and the Maple Leafs took the Presidents' Trophy winners to six games in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with five of the six games decided in overtime.
Matthews led a crop of rookies in Toronto this season, flanked by fellow freshmen Mitch Marner and William Nylander.
On Thursday, Matthews was named a finalist for Rookie of the Year honors, alongside Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski.
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