Maple Leafs trade rumors: Scott Laughton market tightens as Avalanche enter the mix
The Colorado Avalanche have emerged as potential suitors for Scott Laughton according to a report from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Scott Laughton is picking up steam as a potential trade target, new reporting has revealed.
According to Elliotte Friedman in a recent interview on NHL Network, he revealed that Scott Laughton could be a 'Plan B' type move for the Colorado Avalanche in the trade market.
Per Friedman, one name Colorado wants to look at for help at center is former Avalanche Nazem Kadri, also a former Leaf.
The challenge for the Avalanche with a potential deal to re-acquire Kadri is the fact that his current team, the Calgary Flames, are not looking to do retention in a trade.
This leaves Scott Laughton as a possible name that Friedman is viewing as a potential option for Colorado in the case they need a bargain option instead.
What Elliotte Friedman said on Scott Laughton & Colorado
Friedman notes that Laughton is someone who could end up a member of the Colorado Avalanche, calling the 31-year-old a 'tremendous fit' in the Avs lineup but that Colorado is being careful with their financial situation as the team's main focus is the re-signing of superstar defenseman Cale Makar:
One of the centers I heard that could end up in Colorado is Scott Laughton. Well, I think would be a tremendous fit, and he would be more of a rental. I would love to see [Nazem] Kadri back in Colorado. If he's not in Calgary, I think it would be fantastic.
But the one thing the Avalanche have been consistent about is, we're not jeopardizing our flexibility with signing Makar.
And unless somebody's willing to take some money off of them, or the Flames are willing to retain, it's going to be very, very hard for them to do that. - Elliotte Friedman
But the one thing the Avalanche have been consistent about is, we're not jeopardizing our flexibility with signing Makar.
And unless somebody's willing to take some money off of them, or the Flames are willing to retain, it's going to be very, very hard for them to do that. - Elliotte Friedman
Laughton, 31, was acquired at last year's trade deadline by Toronto in exchange for prospect forward Nikita Grebenkin and a first round pick. In 62 games with the Leafs, Laughton has 10 goals, 6 assists, and 16 points.
Acquired as a potential help for the Leafs bottom-six on offense, Laughton has largely been on the fourth line where his production hasn't been what was hoped, but has been one of the NHL's better 4C's.
Recent reporting from Darren Dreger suggested that the Leafs would like to re-sign Laughton, who is on the final year of a five-year contract at $3M for this season.
Colorado, who leads the NHL with 87 points, has added to it's forward group since last season with Brock Nelson, Martin Necas, and Jack Drury, but look to add more down the middle in preparation for a hopeful length playoff run -- and Toronto might just hold the very piece they covet.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 2|651 ANSWERS Maple Leafs trade rumors: Scott Laughton market tightens as Avalanche enter the mix Should the Toronto Maple Leafs trade Scott Laughton? | ||
| Yes | 407 | 62.5 % |
| No | 244 | 37.5 % |
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