Hedman's comments about the Leafs after hard-fought 7-game series tells the whole story

In his post game press conference after defeating the Leafs 2-1, former Norris Trophy winner and current Norris Trophy nominee Victor Hedman had lots of praise for the Leafs. It seemed to be a common theme among Lightning players after playing their toughest series in years, maybe ever. Hedman said after the win that the Leafs are an "Unbelievable team Close series they're a great group."

Not only did he say the Leafs we're a great team, but he took it a step farther and echoed Stamkos' comments saying, "They're going to get another chance at this. They're going to go a long ways in the future."

It took the Lightning and both Stamkos and Hedman over a decade into their careers before they got their first Cup. Sure, they made it past the first round before then, but they are also on the wrong end of one of the biggest upsets in recent memory, getting swept by Columbus in 2019. Hedman is bang on in saying the Leafs' time will come, and like Tampa, the core should stay together, but there will be turn over in other positions due to cap constraints that no one could've predicted thanks to COVID-19.

Tampa has been through it all in the postseason and they've faced some of the best teams in recent years and come out on top. For some of their top players and their head coach to acknowledge how tough an out the Leafs truly were says a lot about where this team is headed. We know from Sheldon Keefe's comments that there was a lot of respect in that handshake line after Game 7, and while Keefe pointed out that they're not in the respect game, they're in the winning game, the fact that arguably the best team in the league called the Leafs one of the toughest series' they've had certainly indicates that this core is capable of getting it done. Another goal, another save, a few less penalties, maybe we have a different result. Tampa seems to acknowledge that.

Nevertheless, it will be another long golf season for the Leafs but they will be back next season even hungrier than this year. The goal will undoubtedly be to do what they almost did this season and challenge for the Presidents Trophy and land a more favourable round 1 matchup. Though, knowing their luck, they'll get Tampa again.