Toronto Maple Leafs scoring machine Auston Matthews is the best player of the 2021-22 NHL season, and he's got the hardware to prove it. The Maple Leafs center was named the season's winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy, the NHL's version of the MVP award, after an incredible campaign.

Matthews feels blessed to be part of a storied hockey organization of the Maple Leafs, and he made sure to speak highly of the team after his Hart Trophy win.

Via Chris Johnston of TSN:

Auston Matthews: “I’ve really enjoyed my time in Toronto and it’s been special. I love every single guy on that team, the management staff. The whole organization from top to bottom is first class and I feel really fortunate to play [there].”

To say that Matthews had a great 2021-22 NHL season would be an understatement. He led the league with 60 goals to go with 46 assists for 106 points — all career-highs for the 24-year-old American. Matthews was a major reason why the Maple Leafs were second in the league in goals per game, fourth in shooting percentage, and second as well in expected goals for.

All that is left for Matthews to win is the Stanley Cup. The Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs despite having a 3-2 lead after five games of that series. Nevertheless, Matthews and company should still be considered as among the top contenders to win the Cup in the 2022-23 NHL season.