Insiders: Leafs & Flyers Deep in Trade Talks -Blockbuster Trade Incoming?
Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton's trade speculation has heated up with the Maple Leafs -- Could a deal be in the works?
Highly coveted center Scott Laughton has been the talk of trade speculation in recent months. With the Maple Leafs desperate to add to their third line in time for a deep playoff push, it begs the question -- should Toronto try and make a deal to acquire him?
A new report from Anthony DiMarco of The Daily Faceoff has revealed the Maple Leafs are strong frontrunners to acquire the Oakville native, along with the Winnipeg Jets.
Sources indicate #Leafs and #nhljets are two of the teams who have shown the most interest, but handful of teams are in the mix.
With teams building their offensive depth through the trade market in recent weeks, Toronto needs to do the same and picking up Laughton would be the perfect fit.
Let's break it down:
Laughton, 30, is a jack of all trades. This season he has 10 goals, 15 assists, 110 hits and winning 48% of his face-offs in 53 games.
He plays the penalty kill, and with much better defence and goaltending in front of him, then he will no doubt improve on his minus-9 rating.
In 654 career games, Laughton has 105 goals and 158 assists as well as 10 points in 24 career playoff appearances.
Adding Laughton would give Toronto a much more evenly spread out lineup that offers offensive and defensive versatility:
Knies - Matthews - Domi
McMann - Tavares - Marner
Pacioretty - Laughton - Nylander
Lorentz - Kampf - Reaves
Having three playmakers in Domi, Tavares, and Marner is as deep as any lineup, and Laughton opens up space for Marner and Nick Robertson to try and make magic together.
But would it be worth the cost?
Making $3-million for this season and the next, Laughton isn't an expensive option and his value to a contender means the Flyers aren't going to let him go cheap.
He is expected to be worth at least a first round pick, and while Toronto doesn't have one for this season; they do for 2026 and should be willing to part with it if it means winning now.
A potential trade offer could look something like this:
To Toronto Maple Leafs:
(C) Scott Laughton
To Philadelphia Flyers:
(F) Nick Robertson
(F) Pontus Holmberg
2025 2nd Round Pick (FLA)
It's a bit of an overpayment in terms of players and Toronto's third line gets a lot thinner, although the team could add a player like Alex Steeves into the mix.
Or they could move Max Pacioretty to the third line and pray that Ryan Reaves isn't going to be a detriment to their lineup.
Robertson needs a fresh start and Holmberg hasn't lived up to expectations since being drafted.
This season, Robertson has 8 goals and 4 assists in 46 games. He last scored on January 18 against Montreal.
Holmberg has 2 goals and 6 assists in 42 games. He last scored on Dec. 10 against New Jersey.
The draft pick won't be an early one in the second round (barring Florida doesn't completely implode) so Toronto can feel more inclined to deal the pick as opposed to gamble it on a potential prospect.
We're in a time as Maple Leafs fans where the goaltending is as solid as ever, we have the superstar talents, and a much improved defensive mindset.
It's a recipe for success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the missing ingredient is Scott Laughton.
But what do YOU think? Should the Maple Leafs make a blockbuster trade to acquire Scott Laughton? Or is there another player you'd rather have?
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4 HOURS AGO | 219 ANSWERS Insiders: Leafs & Flyers Deep in Trade Talks -Blockbuster Trade Incoming? Should the Maple Leafs trade for Scott Laughton to improve their third line center? | ||
