Toronto Maple Leafs: The Exit Interviews Part One: The Players

MONTREAL, QC - MAY 24: Joe Thornton #97 of the Toronto Maple Leafs screens goaltender Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens during the first period in Game Three of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 24, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - MAY 24: Joe Thornton #97 of the Toronto Maple Leafs screens goaltender Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens during the first period in Game Three of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 24, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs – Morgan Rielly (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Morgan Rielly

Here is how Morgan Rielly described the Toronto Maple Leafs first round series against the Montreal Canadiens. “As a group, we prepared well.” He then added “We have to learn how to close a series out.”  That might be the understatement of the decade.

Rielly was asked about his contract situation which only has one year left. “It has crossed my mind, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.”   

Frederik Andersen

Leafs netminder Frederik Andersen was asked about his time in Toronto over the last five years. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I will look back on these five years with a lot of good memories. With regard to the future, I don’t know what’s in store yet.”

When asked about what he is looking for in free agency, he responded with “To start, I want to talk to Kyle.” he then added “I know how good I can be when I’m healthy, I still have my abilities.”

Depending on what kind of deal Andersen is looking for, I think it is safe to say he has played his last game as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Joe Thornton

Here is what Joe Thornton had to say when asked about his future in the NHL. “This came so sudden, I have not had time to think about it. I feel really good, but I have to take some time and be a dad.”

Thornton on this year’s roster in Toronto, “This group has a lot of great pieces, a lot of great people.”

When asked about the first round failure, Thornton responded with “I wish the fans could have enjoyed this team.”  Fans were enjoying this team, until it blew a 3-1 series lead.