Kessel warns young Leafs: 'It's always tougher the 2nd year'

Phil Kessel knows a thing or two about what it's like to play in the intense hockey market that is Toronto.

So when the former Maple Leaf and current Penguin returned to the Big Smoke for his offseason workouts with fellow Leaf alum Gary Roberts, Kessel was quick to offer advice to a much-improved Toronto club that will face much higher expectations next season.

"It's always tougher the second year. There's a little more pressure," Kessel told TSN.ca this week. "They got good players there and you never know what happens, but, tough league ...

"Every year is different. You never know who's going to make the playoffs - even the best teams might miss the playoffs."

The Maple Leafs experienced a complete 180 over the past two seasons. After finishing dead last in 2016, they made the playoffs a year later and took the Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals to six games - five of which were decided by sudden-death overtime.

With success comes the pressure to sustain it. Maple Leafs fans are aware of their talented young squad's potential, and expectations in Toronto are higher than they've been since Doug Gilmour rocked the "C." But opposing NHL clubs have taken notice too.