Sundin optimistic about Maple Leafs: 'The playoff success is going to come'

Maple Leafs legend Mats Sundin believes Toronto's future is bright despite a slew of early exits in the postseason.

"The playoff success is going to come. Let these players mature and also lose a couple times in the playoffs," the Hall of Famer said on Sportsnet's "The FAN Morning Show" Thursday. "They'll learn how to be successful and start winning in the postseason as well."

The Maple Leafs haven't won a playoff series since 2004, when Sundin still played for the club. The squad ousted the Ottawa Senators in a seven-game series that year before being eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers in the conference semifinals.

Toronto has gotten chances to break the cold spell as of late, but the team has failed to make it past the first round in its last six postseason appearances. The Leafs didn't even touch the opening round in the 2020 playoff bubble after the Columbus Blue Jackets eliminated them in the qualifying round.

Sundin, who captained the Leafs from 1997-2008, understands the harsh spotlight of playing in Toronto and the pressure fans put on players to succeed, but he isn’t pushing the panic button on the team.

"I wouldn't trade the core of the Toronto Maple Leafs for any other core around the league," he said. "The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have chances to win a championship in the next 10 years, 15 years by (continuing to) keep building and keep improving."

He added, "I'm very, very optimistic of what management of the Toronto Maple Leafs has done to build this young core of great players."

Sundin also noted the Maple Leafs' depth has a certain championship pedigree.

"It's fantastic to see Auston (Matthews) and Mitch Marner and (John) Tavares and (William) Nylander," he said. "Toronto has what all great franchises that have won championships in the past (had). There's a great balance in the roster."

Sundin is still the franchise's all-time leading scorer with 420 goals in 981 games, but the 51-year-old said he's rooting for Matthews to break his record "as soon as possible." The reigning Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner has 231 goals in 377 career contests.

The Maple Leafs currently sit in third place in the throes of a strong Atlantic Division with a 31-12-3 record.