Scott Laughton and Bobby McMann are the brotherhood the Maple Leafs traded away and both could return
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton and Jerome Miron Imagn-Images
Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton could be on their way back to Toronto this summer especially given Craig Berube's comments regarding free agency.
There's a lot of frustration still from the Maple Leafs fanbase regarding the trades for Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton due to the minimal return they got back especially in the case of Laughton — where he was brought in for a first and traded for a third.
McMann is thriving in Seattle and Laughton is helping Los Angeles fight for a playoff spot in the wide open Pacific Division, however both men are free agents at the end of the season and no extension has been put to paper just yet.
McMann and Laughton could come back home but Toronto needs to show them why
If Toronto had hopes of bringing them back then they need to make a slew of changes to not only ensure they can afford them, but also make sure that whatever spot they have in the lineup is one that will drive success through numbers; and both have some pretty good ones.
So it's really exciting to know they could be back in the fold come 2026-27. Craig Berube may have let the cat out of the bag ahead of Toronto's game vs. Los Angeles and when pressed about Laughton returning — he didn't rule it out:
I could see it for sure. He really liked it in Toronto, He's from there too, it's a bit of a dream to go home and play so I can see him going back for sure.
If Laughton were to come back, he would no doubt be more of a bottom six player.
However just because he wants to play here doesn't mean he should.
Toronto needs to prove to their incoming players it's worth it to stick around
Toronto has to prove to both Laughton and McMann that they are going to win in a short time frame. Both men are 30-plus and if Toronto is looking at a 4-5 year rebuild...will they wanna stick around?
Plus, how do you think they feel knowing that Toronto got so little back and could have resentment even hidden away. For Laughton especially; he was dealt for a first but cast away for peanuts a year later.
Without a plan in place, the guys are just going to see the same results and feel jaded that they were brought back again yet nothing was different. Same team. Same coaching. Same results.
Toronto doesn't have many more chances to prove to players, fans or the NHL that they are worth considering. If Laughton, McMann, or anyone want to come in then Toronto has a lot of work left to do.
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| POLL | ||
AVRIL 4|993 ANSWERS Scott Laughton and Bobby McMann are the brotherhood the Maple Leafs traded away and both could return Who will return for the Maple Leafs this summer? | ||
| Laughton | 230 | 23.2 % |
| McMann | 111 | 11.2 % |
| Both | 214 | 21.6 % |
| Neither | 438 | 44.1 % |
| List of polls | ||