Auston Matthews: 'I want to be an impact player'

Auston Matthews was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs to be a franchise-altering centerman, and though it was a formality he'd be selected at the top of the draft, the Arizona native admitted it was a relief to hear his name finally called.

"Once they called my name, it was definitely a sigh of relief," Matthews said, according to Sarah McLellan of Azcentralsports. "A lot of excitement."

However, in a market rabid for sustained success, there are high expectations for the 18-year-old to carry the load going forward, and Matthews believes he's ready for it.

"I want to be an impact player," Matthews said. "I believe I can be a franchise centerman, a No. 1 centerman in the NHL."

Matthews' new boss, Leafs' head coach Mike Babcock, believes Toronto has found a winner.

"Obviously we got a lot better," Babcock said, according to Jonas Siegel of the Canadian Press. "He's an elite player with an elite drive-train, big body guy, makes players better.

"He'll develop into a top, top center in the National Hockey League."

Matthews is the latest factor in the Maple Leafs' ongoing rebuild, but if everything goes to plan, he could be the most important piece in the puzzle.