The Ideal Trade Target for the Maple Leafs Makes Perfect Sense
With the Maple Leafs looking to add an impactful player ahead of or on trade deadline day, one player makes perfect sense to bring along for a deep playoff push.
Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs have to get some type of insurance for their forward or defensive depth, and the team is expected to be big players for some pretty prominent names including Brayden Schenn and recently even Mikko Rantanen.
But if the team wanted to add the best possible player at a reasonable cost and someone who would love to win with his hometown team, then Philadelphia's Scott Laughton is the answer.
Scott Laughton Gives Maple Leafs A Fighting Chance In Playoffs
There's been a lot of chatter regarding Laughton and his trade value and potential to be dealt. He would give the Maple Leafs a perfect 3C that offers scoring, defense, special teams work, and give him a chance to win with his hometown team.
The Oakville native was named in an article recently by The Athletic where it delved a bit deeper into Philadelphia's game plan for the season and specifically the trade deadline:
Now, that said, if a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs - in my mind, the only club that makes sense as a potential destination for the Toronto-area native - offers its 2026 first-round pick and a decent prospect, Briere will consider it.
That last part is a very fortunate turn of events for Leafs fans, as a decent prospect is not the likes of Easton Cowan.
It could potentially include Fraser Minten but the team could also package a player like Noah Chadwick, Nikita Grebenkin, or Miroslav Holinka along with the pick to make a deal work.
If they can swing a trade for Laughton, he would instantly give Toronto a credible Top-9 that can contend with the top playoff teams.
Knies - Matthews - Domi
McMann - Tavares - Nylander
Jarnkrok - Laughton - Marner
Pacioretty - Kampf - Holmberg
The third line lets Marner run his own line while adding a playmaker with two credible scoring options but who primarily focus on defense.
Gritty and unafraid to get into the dirtier areas of the game, Laughton would provide a relentless presence in front of the opponents net for any rebounds or tips (given Toronto's blue line actually shoots the puck).
This season, Laughton has 11 goals and 15 assists which would place him seventh on the team in goals and tied with Morgan Rielly for sixth in points; a wild statistic given the firepower the Leafs have.
While questions still surround who exactly Brad Treliving will bring aboard, they would do well to try their best to acquire Scott Laughton and make a childhood dream come true.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 22 | 423 ANSWERS The Ideal Trade Target for the Maple Leafs Makes Perfect Sense Is Scott Laughton the best choice for the Maple Leafs to trade for at the deadline? | ||
| Yes | 175 | 41.4 % |
| No | 248 | 58.6 % |
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