Toronto Maple Leafs: Top Five Things I Learned from 2016-17

Apr 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock (C) and players salute the fans after losing the series to the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Capitals beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock (C) and players salute the fans after losing the series to the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Capitals beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
4 of 6

The Veterans Are Still Here

With all the excitement of the rookies, a new goalie, prospects and the like, the veterans got a little overshadowed. Most people took their eyes off guys like James van Riemsdyk, Jake Gardiner, and Nazem Kadri to put their focus elsewhere.

Well, those guys put their focus on the team and winning.

Boy, did they have success in doing so.

Without the stellar performances of some of these men this season, the Leafs wouldn’t have made the playoffs. The rookies wouldn’t have been so successful.

The rookies wouldn’t have been so successful.

Take your pick, there’s lots more than just that, I promise.

The veterans provided the glue, to say the least, but that’s just one of many things they did to benefit the organization and themselves.