Canes forward rips Toronto media and fans to shreds over treatment of players in the city

The Stanley Cup champion was asked a few questions, but one topic was consistent throughout the chat with the media and it was regarding Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov, who is a close friend of Kuznetsov.

He stood up for his former Washington Capitals teammate during the interview and spoke vocally about how the Maple Leafs media and fanbase put far too much pressure on players in Toronto and why it's difficult to play in this city.

Kuznetsov on how the media and fans put too much pressure on Leafs players:

It's no secret that Toronto is one of the most difficult cities to play in because of the constant scrutiny. This has led to many players passing on the pressure-filled city for teams where the spotlight doesn't follow one around everywhere at all times.

Kuznetsov also said to the media that Samsonov's best hockey is ahead of him, so maybe he was implying that the Maple Leafs media and fans should continue to have more faith in the Leafs' starting netminder, since he has played so well with the crowd behind him since his return from his AHL assignment.