The Toronto Maple Leafs under Kyle Dubas did one thing really well, and that was that they didn’t pay non-star players much term or money.
Sure, the Toronto Maple Leafs made exceptions (and I’d argue they shouldn’t have) for players like Cale Jarnkrok, Alex Kerfoot and others. However, Kerfoot had upside, and Jarnkrok’s four years made his cap hit really cheap.
Exceptions can (and will inevitably) be made, but the underlying principle cannot change.
It is always a mistake to get players who are not stars, and then give them money or term.
Toronto Maple Leafs Need to Remember Not to Pay Non-Stars
Under GM Brad Treliving, the Calgary Flames committed the sin of overpaying non-star players quite frequently, and I’m really hoping that Brendan Shanahan doesn’t let Treliving do that in Toronto.