Lessons From Maple Leafs: What the Devils Shouldn't Do This Offseason

The Toronto Maple Leafs' missteps offer the New Jersey Devils a template of what not to do this offseason

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The Toronto Maple Leafs' playoff stumbles will likely lead to significant change this summer. Mitch Marner and John Tavares are UFAs, and it seems probable that at least Marner won't be back in Toronto next season.

That means it'll be the end of an era for the Core 4, and it'll be a disappointing one, as they never advanced past Round 2 of the playoffs. There's no question the Core 4 disappointed in the postseason, but the Maple Leafs' front office hasn't always given them the best support. They offer the New Jersey Devils a blueprint of what not to do this coming offseason.

Maple Leafs Saved the Devils From Laughton

The Maple Leafs' Core 4 may disappoint in the playoffs, but let's not act like the supporting cast is where it should be. Matthew Knies would be the exception, but look at the rest of their forwards up front. This was their bottom six to close out the playoffs:

Via Daily Faceoff

It starts with the addition of Scott Laughton. Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving gave up a first-round pick and Nikita Grebenkin for Laughton, a high price to pay, and that deal is already looking like a disaster. Laughton had four points in 20 regular-season games with the Maple Leafs and just two in 13 playoff contests.

Laughton's underlying numbers were nothing short of miserable with the Maple Leafs, too. He finished the postseason with an expected goals share (xG%) just above 32 percent, and his regular-season metrics were just about as bad.

The Devils were reportedly interested in Laughton around the trade deadline, but thankfully they weren't willing to pay the price. I can tell you right now that that would have been a disaster.

Those types of depth moves are what the Devils need to avoid this offseason. Laughton is not a particularly good player, and he's not what this Devils roster needs more of, something the Maple Leafs should have realized for themselves, too.

However, that's not the only transaction the Devils can learn from.