from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic,

I asked Tkachuk about it after he and the Panthers completed a five-game series win over the Leafs on Friday in the context that, first, both of those Leafs players are his friends, and, second, that he understands what its like to play in a Canadian market.

I appreciate the fact that its tough, Tkachuk said. Playing in Canada is very different with the spotlight, the history. What Ive noticed in the difference between playing in Canada and Florida is the highs and the lows. So I think for them, maybe, and theyre unbelievable talents, but unless they win the Stanley Cup, theyre basically getting crucified.

And its not their fault, its kind of just the way it is. I know that theyre mentally tough enough, and I know them well and theyve been able to handle it and have kept getting better and better in their careers in each year.

But, I know seeing it from afar, nothing against here, but I know I wouldnt want to deal with it on any given day.

That, Tkachuk added, was not a comment on his time in Calgary at all. He very much enjoyed his time there. But life in Florida? I mean, come on.

I wonder how many times every day Steven Stamkos counts his lucky stars that he turned down a massive contract offer from his hometown Maple Leafs back in the summer of 2016, re-signed for less in Tampa and won himself two Stanley Cups.

Dont get me wrong. Doug Gilmour, Mats Sundin and Wendel Clark thrived in this market over the years. They truly loved it. And I think, for the most part, Matthews and Marner have too.

But its now been seven years of playoff struggles. And this year, with the Bruins, Lightning, Avalanche and Rangers out of the picture after the opening round, the path looked so inviting for the Leafs at the start of the second round, the Vegas oddsmakers placing them as Cup favorites among the eight teams remaining.

Then came three straight losses to the No. 8-seeded Panthers.

See ya.

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Keefe and a few players post game.

from Sean Fitz-Gerald oof The Athletic,

Late Friday night, after eliminating the Leafs with a 3-2 overtime win in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series, he reflected on that experience and also what he picked up later. He only joined Florida last year after walking away from the game for good, he thought by resigning as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets six months earlier.

Youve got to find a way to love the game, he said, pausing to correct himself. Thats not right. Ive always loved the game, except for a little bit of time there.

Youve got to find a way to enjoy the game. But thats easy because Im 56 and I started when I was 28, and my kids are grown and theyre out of the house.

All of the professional pressures tied into having a young family, he said, are gone.

If I get kicked out tomorrow, Im going fishing, he said. Im going to watch all the games. I might bump one of you guys off a panel somewhere, if I get bored.

He paused again, for the laugh line.

I didnt mean its easy to do your job, he said. But I do have a completely different perspective. And its all driven by that room. Theyre fun. Its fun to come to the rink. Even when we were losing, theyre still fun guys.

Makes you young.

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Here are a few random thoughts on this series...

1. If there's blame to be laid at the feet of anyone for losing this series, it's Auston Matthews. Maybe he was hurt. Maybe he thought it was going to be easy. Maybe he just isn't a good playoff performer against a tight-checking team. Whatever it is, he was a non-entity in the series.

2. One person who doesn't deserve any blame for the Game 5 loss is Joseph Woll. I thought he was pretty damn spectacular given his age and NHL experience. I hope Cossa proves to be as tough a few years from now.

3. I never thought I'd say this but "Go get Gudas," Stevie. Yeah, he's 32. And, yeah, he crosses the line sometimes (although less now than he used to). But he's the kind of "toughness" the Wings need. And he's a right shot, so imagine him opposite Edvinsson next year.

4. On a related note, Gudas charging up the ice on the final play last night was awesome. He made that play happen.

5. Finally, it was an absolute pleasure watching Marc Staal in this series. I loved the guy when he was in Detroit, and I'd be thrilled if he ended the year with the Cup in his hands.