On March 7, 2025, the Toronto Maple Leafs took place made an exchange the Philadelphia Flyers for Scott Laughton, also adding a 2025 fourth-rounder and a 2027 sixth-rounder. They returned prospect Nikita Grebenkin and a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft in the deal.
At the time, much of Leafs Nation felt it was a lot to give up, especially considering a team with no prospects would trade a future first-round draft pick for a player who would, at best, be a bottom-six forward.
The Maple Leafs have made these types of trades season after season
It felt like a high price to pay and another example of a team being too willing to mortgage its future in hopes of success now after the season. And Maple Leafs fans know how that turned out. Regular season success; post-season failure.
Laughton didn’t necessarily help convince his naysayers. With five goals and two assists in 25 games, along with injuries that have kept him out of the lineup, he has failed to carve out a regular role in the team. That said, he has shown signs of why the Maple Leafs wanted this veteran on the roster.
Laughton is showing signs of value for the Maple Leafs
In a tight one 2-1 win over the Flyersthe Maple Leafs struggled to get their offense going. The power play, which had been better since Steve Sullivan took over, produced no chances. And Toronto was stuck killing a series of penalties that looked questionable if you’re a Maple Leafs fan watching the game.
In the middle of all that, killing penalties as he always does, Laughton grabbed the puck, took off on a breakaway, went straight to the net and scored. Without that goal, the Maple Leafs would have lost the game by shutout. Laughton’s goal sent his team into extra time.
Ultimately, Easton Cowan won the game for Toronto on a wild sequence that resulted in a great feed from veteran John Tavares.
Where Laughton’s value lies to the Maple Leafs
As the season progresses, Laughton begins to prove how valuable he could be to a Maple Leafs team pushing to make the postseason.
While Laughton won’t score many goals, his role in Toronto isn’t the same as it was in Philadelphia. He does all the little things that help teams win: he’s a ruthless forward, wins puck battles and is strong on his stick, is smart with his positioning, and he forces opponents wide instead of giving them the middle of the ice.
What Laughton is best at does not often show up on the scoresheet for him personally. But they can make the difference between winning and losing. He protects leads and relieves tension among his linemates.
Laughton’s face-off and penalty killing skills matter
Going 19-for-20 in the faceoff circle in one game is impressive. That’s more than a nice number; that’s great. Laughton kills penalties like he’s fearless. He fights the opposition all over the ice. In fact, his shifts end, and he gives his coaches reasons not to overthink matchups. In short, he makes it harder to play against the Maple Leafs.
If you make a mistake as an opponent, he helps the Leafs take advantage of it. He is reliable to a degree, which is a crucial trait if a team is working hard to make a playoff push. And that’s where the Maple Leafs find themselves today.
Was the Laughton trade worth it?
Determining Laughton’s worth often comes from looking at things that aren’t measured statistically. His teammates love and respect him. His energy is infectious and he drags his team back into games when they are down. He plays with passion, without being reckless, and he reads plays before they happen.
Laughton is the kind of player a team wants when the playoffs are underway; the Maple Leafs just have to get there. If they do, it’s clear Laughton will be useful.
If I were to grade this trade, I would give it an A–. The price was high, but the Maple Leafs got exactly what they were looking for: a reliable, tough player who makes the playoffs feel a little less like rolling the dice.
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