Insider: Maple Leafs Need To Aim "Higher" Than Scott Laughton on Trade Market

Centers are in high demand at the upcoming trade deadline, especially in Toronto, where the Maple Leafs are in dire straits to add an impactful pivot to help complete their lineup.

There's been plenty of buzz around Scott Laughton on the trade market, and in relation to the Leafs at times, along with the high price tag the Philadelphia Flyers have placed on their veteran center.

But according to Sportsnet hockey insider Nick Kypreos, Laughton isn't who Toronto GM Brad Treliving should be targeting at all. Kyper said recently that they need to aim much higher:

“You need to get a guy that can potentially push John Tavares out of that second spot… A high-end move… [Scott Laughton's] not high enough for me.”@RealKyper, @jtbourne & @SamAMcKee debate the rumoured #Flyers centre’s potential #LeafsForever fit.

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— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) February 10, 2025

“That's not high enough for me. You need to get a guy that can potentially push John Tavares out of that second spot… A high-end move… [Scott Laughton's] not high enough for me.”

Kypreos pointed to Laughton's mediocre offensive totals in recent years, with totals of 13, 18, 11, and 9 goals in the last four seasons. He has 11 thus far this season. Laughton has only cracked the 40-point mark once in his 12-year career.

Tavares is having another solid 20-goal, point-per-game season, but, at the age of 34, Kypreos is worried about some 'what ifs':

"What happens if he twists a knee? Who's stepping in? You've lost confidence in Max (Domi). So who? Who?... That's an issue here... (Tavares has) never been out of the second round (of the playoffs). You need backup there."

Safe to say that Domi (playing out of position), Pontus Holmberg, and David Kampf are not the answers for Toronto. Those three have a total of 8 goals between them this season.

Kypreos mentioned other trade candidates Brayden Schenn and Dylan Cozens as the type of "high-end moves" he thinks the Leafs need to make.