Toronto has lost in the Eastern Conference First Round the past two seasons after making the Stanley Cup Playoffs once in the previous 11 seasons. The Maple Leafs have not won the Cup since 1967, and among players on the roster that ended this season, only defenseman Ron Hainsey has won it (with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017).
"Life is about getting up," Babcock said. "There are lots of times people tell you that you can't or you're this or you're that, you just go about doing what you can and get better each and every year, and in the end you will get your opportunity. That's what we're doing. Steady, we want to continue to get better, and in the end we're going to be happy."
Babcock said the Calder Cup championship won this season by the Toronto Marlies, their American Hockey League affiliate, will help the Maple Leafs in the future.
"I'm a big believer that it's really hard to win at any level, any championship, but I am also a big believer that once you learn how to win, you have a better chance to win again," Babcock said.
"... I'm excited for these kids. They have worked hard, they have done a good job, and if you talk to them, they will tell you they are confident and feel good about themselves. That's a wonderful thing and it's a good sign for us. In the end, when you're really good, you have too many players for the amount of spots. It's when you know you have arrived in the National Hockey League."
Marlies forward Andreas Johnsson led the AHL playoffs with 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists), after the 23-year-old played nine games for the Maple Leafs this season.
"[Andreas] is a player who has shown that he is ready for the next level," Babcock said. "It's so important to score at the level you're at if you want to be a scorer before you move on and [he has] done that. … What it shows you is that the time is right for him. It didn't hurt him to play for us at all, to help him with his confidence."
