Brayden Schenn Reportedly Refuses to Waive No-Trade Clause For Deal to Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a pair of significant moves at the trade deadline, landing the centre analysts have been saying they needed since the beginning of the 2024-25 season in Scott Laughton, as well as hulking right-shot defenseman Brandon Carlo.

Laughton has been acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers, along with a fourth and sixth round draft pick, in exchange for Nikita Grebenkin and a first round pick.

TSN insider Bob McKenzie said during Friday's trade deadline coverage, though, that Laughton was not the Maple Leafs' first choice to add to their roster in advance of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

McKenzie confirmed on Friday that GM Brad Treliving had prioritized adding Brayden Schenn from the St. Louis Blues, but he was unwilling to waive his no-trade clause.

It was not clear whether Schenn was unwilling to waive his NTC specifically for the Maple Leafs, or whether he simply didn't want to be moved at all.

Laughton and Schenn are having similar seasons statistically. Schenn, however, is three years older than Laughton, has a higher cap hit, and more seasons left on his current deal.

The reunion between Leafs coach Craig Berube and Schenn would have been interesting, as the two won a Stanley Cup together with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and appear to still be close.

However, Laughton is exactly what the team needed in a 3rd line centre, and it just so happens that he idolized the Maple Leafs while growing up in Oakville, Ontario. Not to mention the fact that the cost to acquire Laughton was much lower than what the Leafs would have had to part with to acquire Schenn. This one seems like a win.