SPORTS

Leafs wary of expectations rising too quickly after 'step' forward

The Canadian Press Published Tuesday, April 25, 2017 2:37PM EDT

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock speaks to the media during the year end press conference in Toronto on Tuesday April 25, 2017. (Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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TORONTO -- The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to keep expectations in check for next season.

The Leafs leaped from last-place in the NHL to an unlikely playoff spot and near upending of the Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals in the first round.

But the organization appears to be guarding against expectations jumping too high too fast for a young team led by 19-year-old Auston Matthews.

General manager Lou Lamoriello called the surprising 2016-17 campaign "a step," saying the road to continued success was going to get tougher.

Head coach Mike Babcock said the organization still needed plenty more depth to survive injuries.

Matthews said he's going to take some time off after a gruelling rookie season and will not represent the United States at the upcoming world hockey championship.