Ilya Samsonov makes a bold statement about his Maple Leafs.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are now just days away from the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs and there will be a ton of pressure on this team to deliver after failing to do so many times in recent history.

While that may be a burden on some players, it would appear that at least some of the members of the Maple Leafs roster are welcoming those expectations as the playoffs draw near. On Saturday, Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov was asked about his expectations headed into the Stanley Cup playoffs, and he could not possibly have set the bar any higher. When asked if he felt the Leafs were the best team in the league, Samsonov left no doubt.

"Oh for sure," answered the Maple Leafs netminder as per TSN, without a hint of doubt in his voice.

Asked to expound on why he felt that way, Samsonov's comments grew even bolder.

"Because we have a nice group," said Samsonov matter of factly. "We have the best doctors, best therapists. best workout coaches, we have the best coaches, we have the best players here." 

Although some may scoff at the confidence from Samsonov given the team's relative lack of playoff success in recent years, it may be a much needed boost of confidence for a team that has fallen in the first round of the playoffs, or the qualifying round in the case of the bubble playoffs, in six consecutive seasons.

It's worth noting that Samsonov wasn't a part of those previous teams either, having only joined the Maple Leafs this season, and his confidence may be a reflection of the fact that he didn't experience some of the heartbreaking losses that other members of his team have.