Report: Scott Laughton Expresses Desire to Play in Toronto
Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton would reportedly be thrilled to join the Toronto Maple Leafs if a reasonable trade can be arranged, according to sources who spoke with TSN’s Darren Dreger.
During Tuesday’s episode of Insider Trading hosted by Gino Reda, Dreger provided an update on the Leafs’ general manager Brad Treliving and his goals ahead of Friday’s trade deadline.
Dreger emphasized that Toronto’s primary objective is to acquire a center and noted that Laughton would be eager to wear the Blue and White.
“Take Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers, for example. Many close to him believe he would jump at the chance to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs if a sensible trade materializes,” Dreger said.
According to Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff, the Leafs are among the top contenders for Laughton, with the Flyers reportedly seeking a first-round pick or a comparable return. While the price may seem high for a player of Laughton’s caliber, his enthusiasm for joining his hometown team could make him a highly motivated addition.
Laughton himself appears to be anticipating a potential move, as hinted by his viral photo recreating The Last Supper.
— Scott Laughton (@Laughts21) March 1, 2025
Dreger also addressed rumors involving Brayden Schenn, though the St. Louis Blues currently seem determined to retain their captain:
“Well, he’s still focused on adding a centerman. The question is who is that centreman and what is the best available fit, Gino? And the reality is when you look around the trade market, the market hasn’t been officially set yet because of the playoff battles that exist in both the East and the West. So sure, the perfect scenario would be Doug Armstrong of the St. Louis Blues wakes up between now and Friday and says, ‘Yeah we’re in a playoff hunt, but you know what?We’re going to trade our captain.’ That is extraordinarily unlikely unless somebody absolutely blows Armstrong’s doors off. And hey, Toronto is willing to pay more than fair market value for Brayden Schenn, it just doesn’t seem likely and that might be a stretch.”
Naturally, the Leafs will have to navigate the challenges of the salary cap, as they currently have just under $3 million in available space at the deadline, according to PuckPedia.
Alongside their priority of acquiring a center, the Leafs are also expected to aim to bolster their defensive depth and potentially add another forward if feasible.
This means GM Brad Treliving faces a significant task ahead if he hopes to achieve his main goal of strengthening the team’s center position while addressing other areas of need.
Image - Kyle Ross-Imagn
