Maple Leafs Officially Linked to Gritty Forward In Philadelphia
The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially been linked to a feisty forward with the Philadelphia Flyers ahead of the March 7th trade deadline.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue their impressive season, one clear issue has emerged: a significant gap at the center position. Despite dealing with recent injuries to Auston Matthews and David Kampf, it's evident the team lacks depth down the middle -- a problem they're looking to rectify before the trade deadline.
One player who has been frequently linked to the Maple Leafs is Scott Laughton, an Oakville native currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers.
As mentioned by David Pagnotta in his article entitled "WHAT THE CANUCK IS GOING ON IN VANCOUVER?", the Flyers are listening on Laughton and the Leafs are expected to be among the suitors for the veteran pivot.
Laughton could be a perfect fit for the Leafs. With veteran John Tavares likely to re-sign, it makes sense for him to begin his transition to the wing, which would leave a big hole at center.
We've already seen Max Domi, fresh off of a fine from Player Safety, move between center and wing this season, resulting in some unconventional line combinations. Adding a player like Laughton would allow the Leafs to maintain a lot more flexibility moving forward.
Laughton, known for his defensive reliability, also offers offensive upside, typically hovering around the 40-point mark. This season, he has registered 22 points in 40 games so far.
Whether or not the Leafs pursue Laughton, he represents the kind of player they need: a gritty, defensive-minded center in the mold of a Craig Berube type, with a manageable $3 million cap hit and another year remaining on his contract.
Here's hoping Leafs GM Brad Treliving can make a move to bring Laughton back to his hometown before March 7th.
