Maple Leafs acquire centre Scott Laughton from Flyers
The Toronto Maple Leafs have added some long-needed depth down the middle.
Toronto acquired centreman Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers ahead of Friday’s trade deadline, sending Nikita Grebenkin and a conditional first-round pick in 2027 back the other way in the deal.
The Maple Leafs also received a 2025 fourth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick in the deal, and some cap flexibility, with the Flyers retaining 50 per cent of Laughton’s salary.
Headed towards the deadline with the expectations of the Maple Leafs faithful looming, Toronto was expected to add a pivot to bolster its centre depth heading into the home stretch of the campaign. Laughton slots in as a worthy solution, the 30-year-old proving himself as a quality depth piece during his tenure in Philadelphia.
The Oakville, Ont., product spent all 12 years of his big-league career to this point in Flyers colours, after being drafted 20th overall by the organization in 2012. Speaking with Sportsnet’s Hockey Central Trade Deadline panel on Friday, he described what it means to be leaving Philly to suit up for his boyhood club.
“Pretty emotional, saying your goodbyes after being in one place for 12 years. But it feels very surreal to be going home,” Laughton told the panel. “And to have a chance at winning the Stanley Cup, and being with a great group. I think the way I fit in there will be great.”
Asked if he grew up cheering for the Maple Leafs as a kid in Oakville, Laughton reeled off his vintage favourites.
“They were my team,” he said. “I liked the tough guys — I liked Wade Belak and Tie Domi, Garry Valk, guys like Darcy Tucker and Shayne Corson. It was so cool going to those games and watching those guys. I was a Leaf fan growing up.
“My dad was a big Bruins fan so he tried to convert me, but it didn’t work.”
Laughton grew up playing for the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midget AAA of the Greater Toronto Hockey League and the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
After a decade in Philly, he’s found himself in trade rumours year after year as the Flyers moved towards a retool and fell outside the playoff picture. Now, in Toronto, he’ll get a chance to play playoff hockey once again.
“That’s why you play,” Laughton told the panel. “The past couple years in Philly, we haven’t been able to get the chance (to play in the post-season), and every time I’ve gone to the playoffs we’ve lost in the first round, other than the bubble year. So, to have a chance is all you want as a player.
“I’m getting that chance, and I’m very grateful for it. I just know that whatever’s going to come in the future, it’s going to be good for me. I’m very happy and excited about what’s to come.
Laughton is in the fourth year of a five-year pact that carries a $3-million average annual value. He joins a Maple Leafs squad stocked with familiar faces, having grown up playing alongside Max Domi, and teaming up with head coach Craig Berube in the past as well.
“I was fortunate to play for (Berube) in Philly — I absolutely loved playing for him,” Laughton said of his new coach. “He gets the most out of you. He’s a player’s coach, but is hard on you when he needs to be. So, I’m really excited to play for Chief again, and have that chance.”
On the other side of the deal, the Flyers land Grebenkin, who was selected by the Maple Leafs in the fifth round, 135th overall, back in 2022.
The Russian forward debuted with the team this season, playing seven games in the NHL, but was held pointless in those appearances. However, in 39 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies this season, he has nine goals and 12 assists.
Prior to making his way to North America, Grebenkin put up 19 goals and 22 assists for the Magnitogorsk Metallurg of the KHL in Russia at 20 years old last season and helped the team to a championship.
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© Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images / Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images / Michael Reaves/Getty Images
NHL.com’s fantasy staff continues to cover the latest trends and storylines in the League through the lens of NHL EDGE puck and player tracker stats. Today, we take a look at five advanced stats standouts who could be moved before the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline on March 7 at 3 p.m. ET.
The Carolina Hurricanes wing, who was already traded by the Colorado Avalanche earlier this season, can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Per NHL EDGE stats, the 28-year-old ranks highly in the following categories:
• Top skating speed: 22.89 (80th percentile)
• Total skating distance: 195.65 miles (95th percentile)
• Top shot speed: 92.09 (89th percentile)
• High-danger shots on goal: 46 (86th percentile)
• Midrange shots on goal: 68 (96th percentile)
• Midrange goals: 10 (95th percentile; just outside League’s top 10)
• Long-range shots on goal: 13 (83rd percentile among forwards)
• Offensive zone time percentage: 47.7 (97th percentile; just outside top 10 forwards)
The New York Islanders center can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Per NHL EDGE stats, the 33-year-old ranks highly in the following categories:
• 20-plus mph speed bursts: 131 (90th percentile)
• Total skating distance: 202.72 miles (97th percentile)
• High-danger shots on goal: 53 (92nd percentile)
• High-danger goals: 11 (86th percentile)
• Midrange shots on goal: 68 (96th percentile)
• Midrange goals: 8 (90th percentile)
The Vancouver Canucks wing can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Per NHL EDGE stats, the 28-year-old ranks highly in the following categories:
• Top shot speed: 94.86 mph (97th percentile)
• Average shot speed: 63.35 mph (91st percentile)
• High-danger goals: 14 (94th percentile)
• Offensive zone time percentage: 44.9 (86th percentile)
The Chicago Blackhawks forward can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Per NHL EDGE stats, the 28-year-old ranks highly in the following categories:
• Top even-strength skating distance game: 3.68 miles (96th percentile)
• High-danger goals: 13 (92nd percentile)
• Midrange shots on goal: 51 (90th percentile)
• Midrange goals: 8 (90th percentile)
CHI@ANA: Donato gathers the puck and sends it home to extend the lead on the power play
The Buffalo Sabres wing can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Per NHL EDGE stats, the 33-year-old ranks highly in the following categories:
• High-danger shots on goal: 44 (83rd percentile)
• High-danger goals: 16 (97th percentile; just outside League’s top 10)
• Offensive zone time percentage: 44.6 (82nd percentile)
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More: NHL EDGE Stats Player Comparisons
