TORONTO -- Brian Boyle sees the similarities between the 2016-17 Toronto Maple Leafs and the 2017-18 Devils.
When the forward was traded to the Maple Leafs from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second half of the 2016-17 season, he joined a team that was powered by the play of several rookies, such as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander.
Those rookies ultimately helped take a team from drafting No. 1 overall the prior summer to making the playoffs.
After signing with the Devils in July, Boyle saw the same youth and speed that helped power the Maple Leafs one season ago.