The Toronto Maple Leafs are bracing for another offseason of scrutiny and “unjustified” behavior toward their players following a 6-1 Game 7 home loss to the Florida Panthers.
One of Canada’s remaining stars offered a perspective on the pressure of playing north of the border.
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Leon Draisaitl, speaking Monday as the Edmonton Oilers prepare for the Western Conference Final, addressed whether the intense environment around Canadian teams creates a unique challenge.
“Yeah, of course. The pressure is higher here, of course. Just through media, fans, you know, the expectations,” Draisaitl said. “It’s just the way it is.
“It’s a hockey country. It starts with hockey, and it ends with hockey in this country.”
Draisaitl, who has 16 points through two rounds, added wood to the Leafs’ fire by saying that Edmonton doesn’t see the pressure as a burden.
“I don’t know if teams feel that they get under pressure with that, I’m not the right person to answer that,” Draisaitl said. “But we can handle it.
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”We’re excited to get back to playing and put our best.”
Draisaitl’s comments follow remarks from Panthers coach Paul Maurice and forward Brad Marchand, who said the Maple Leafs are victims of an unforgiving market and a passionate fan base.
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) warms up before game one against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
“The scrutiny that these men are under is why everybody else gets paid so much,” Maurice said. “There’s a cost to it. There’s a challenge.”
“I think if you look at the heat this team catches, it’s actually really unfortunate,” Marchand said. “They’ve been working and building something really big here for a while, and they were a different brand of hockey this year.
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”They’re getting crucified, and I don’t think it’s justified.”
The Oilers advanced to the Western Conference Final for the second time in a row, booking a rematch of last season’s series against the Dallas Stars.
Related: Brad Marchand Blasts Leafs Nation’s ‘Unjustified’ Behavior Toward Maple Leafs
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