Maple Leafs Reportedly Decline Offer to Acquire Centre from Flyers
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Photo credit: Kyle Ross - USA Today Sports
Amidst all the trade speculation surrounding Flyers forward Scott Laughton, the Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly rejected an offer that included a top prospect.
With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to kick it into high gear. One of the many names they are linked to has generated a lot of buzz from rival teams in Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Laughton.
The Maple Leafs have been chasing after the versatile forward for several years and while they have had healthy conversations with the Flyers over that time, it seems like they haven't made much progress after it was reported they had rejected their latest advance.
According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, the Flyers asked for prospect Fraser Minten in exchange for Laughton. Philadelphia has held a high asking price for the veteran forward at either a first round pick or a top prospect and considering the Leafs don't have a 2025 first round pick, the Flyers went with the latter option.
"...I know some teams have asked about Minten specifically. Like Philadelphia for example a month ago, the Scott Laughton discussion reignited and that didn't really get going anywhere because Minten was part of the ask."
Philadelphia is also lacking centre options in all facets of their organization and Minten assuredly provides a boost to their prospect pool. However, Brad Treliving has been staunch when it comes to potentially dealing one of their top prospects and won't do it unless it's for a substantial piece.
"Fraser Minten, Easton Cowan, one of those guys, if you're making a bigger type splash, you're going to have include one of those guys in the discussion. The first round pick next year, a lot of teams that are selling big pieces are looking at that because of how deep and how good the 2026 draft is projected to be, but barring that you're looking to have to give up either a Minten or a Cowan or one of your top young kids in order to make your splash."
Now, it doesn't mean the Maple leafs won't make a substantial move to address their current roster at the behest of their prospects, however Treliving wants to make sure that it makes sense for both present and future.
"I think Toronto is willing to go down that road but you're looking at somebody from a substantial move. Is it a guy like Schenn? It's possible, but again for a deal of that magnitude to go down, the assets are one thing, and the cap is the other, and having to figure out how to navigate the cap right now, this season anyways, it can make things pretty difficult."
Navigating the cap is going to be their biggest hindrance in acquiring a true top flight forward, which makes Laughton the most viable candidate for the Leafs to continue chasing. His $3 million dollar AAV is team-friendly and it can be even more palatable if the Flyers are willing to retain salary.
It's going to be very busy heading into the trade deadline, which is scheduled for the 7th of March. The Leafs have a lot of options and have been working the phones diligently but the cap space seems to be the biggest hurdle, making Laughton that much more valuable.
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3 HOURS AGO | 393 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Reportedly Decline Offer to Acquire Centre from Flyers Should the Maple Leafs keep pursuing Scott Laughton, considering the high asking price? | ||
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