Clark sees something special developing with Maple Leafs

LUCAN, Ontario -- Wendel Clark couldn't predict if the Toronto Maple Leafs would win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1967, but like the rest of Leafs Nation, the immensely popular Toronto icon who played 15 seasons in the NHL is eager to see if the 2018-19 Maple Leafs are on the cusp of doing something special.

"I have no idea if they'll do it or not, but I know we have a good group of hockey players and hopefully we can have another great season like we had last year and see what happens in the playoffs and if we can go farther," Clark said while attending Kraft Hockeyville Canada 2018.
"The whole buildup has been great year after year the last three years. We have a great young group all growing together and are very talented. It's a great staff from [Maple Leafs president and alternate governor Brendan Shanahan] to [general manager Kyle] Dubas down to [coach Mike Babcock]. They're doing a great job."

The hype surrounding the Maple Leafs and their Cup chances reached a fever pitch after John Tavares signed a seven-year, $77 million contract July 1. Tavares gives the Maple Leafs an abundance of offense at center with Auston Matthews, Nazem Kadri and Patrick Marleau, more riches to a team whose 49 wins and 105 points last season were the most in its history, more punch to an offense that scored 3.29 goals per game, tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins for third in the NHL.
Can Tavares finally get Toronto over the hump? Clark, who was captain of the team for three seasons, discussed the state of the Maple Leafs, who open the regular season against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 3, in an interview with NHL.com.
Once Tavares signed there was a frenzy in the city, with many fans predicting an end to the drought. Yet the players have started training camp with a grounded approach. How can they stay that way and stay focused without letting the hype get to them throughout the season?
"The players really don't worry about the hype. That's outside the dressing room, outside the rink. That's the fans and the media, which is great. That's what makes the game huge for the NHL and huge for Toronto. The players know they have to play hard to win. There are many good teams in the NHL, not just one.

Your Maple Leafs teams made the Western Conference Final in 1993 and '94. Can you relate with managing the hype and expectations this team is facing this season?
"You still have to prove yourself every night. No matter what the hype is you have to live up to it. That's part of being a great hockey team. That's part of our group to learn to be good and be good every night."
Mike Babcock said the other day that he believes the Maple Leafs are set up for a five- to seven-year run. Do you see them being a Cup contender for that long?
"I'm hoping we're a Cup contender for even longer than that. It's something that you want to build and stay consistent when you can. Hopefully you have a healthy team come playoffs and the team is playing well at the right time. But this group looks very good right now."
James van Riemsdyk is in Philadelphia but the Maple Leafs have three 30-goal scorers (Matthews, Tavares, Kadri) and a fourth (Marleau) who scored 27 last season. An abundance of offense at the center position.
"We have great competitiveness up the middle. We have a lot of guys that other teams have to be aware of, not just one or two on one line. It's a group thing for offense. I think our goaltending is outstanding, our defense is consistent and we just have to prove it every night."
The Maple Leafs have not had a captain since defenseman Dion Phaneuf was traded to the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 9, 2016. What's your take on the decision not to go in that direction again this season, instead going with Tavares, Marleau and Morgan] Rielly as alternates?***
"The alternates are all great. The leadership in the room, I think there's about eight guys. Any given night, whether it would be three alternates, and then you add [defenseman Jake] Gardiner and Matthews in there … these guys are all leaders in their own right. It's something that they just want to let the team grow, not let one guy have to handle anything one way or the other, just let the team handle the pressure.
***Any concerns about unsigned restricted free agent [William Nylander not being with the team?
"Not at all. That's part of the game that's going on right now. It's part of the business of the game. It's something that I know him as a player would like to get back here as quick as possible. He's a great guy with this good group of guys we have and hopefully he doesn't miss too much. This is the business end of hockey. Everybody's pulling for Willie and we'll see him back soon."