Scott Laughton, Brandon Carlo Share Wonderful Reactions to Being Acquired by the Leafs
Photo credit: ERIC HARTLINE-USA TODAY SPORTS
Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo share their honest reactions to being acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs during Friday's NHL trade deadline.
The Toronto Maple Leafs made a couple of significant moves at the trade deadline, first acquiring Scott Laughton (50% retained), along with a 4th and 6th-round pick from the Philadelphia Flyers, in exchange for a 1st-round pick (top-10 protected) and Nikita Grebenkin.
"It's pretty surreal. I just found out 10 minutes ago. Coming home, being a Leaf fan, it's pretty special. I haven't called my Mom yet."
Laughton also revealed that his dad was a big Boston Bruins fan and that he had tried to convert him when he was growing up, revealing that, despite his efforts, it didn't work.
"That's why you play," Laughton said after being acquired by the Leafs. "To have a chance [to compete for a Stanley Cup] is all you want as a player. I'm getting that chance, and I'm very grateful."
Laughton is expected to be a perfect addition to the Maple Leafs as a third-line center, especially considering his affordable cap hit of $1.5M per season for the remainder of this year and next.
In addition, the Leafs addressed another key need on the right side of the blueline, adding right shot defenseman Brandon Carlo in a surprising late deal with the Boston Bruins.
Carlo was the furthest trade target in anyone's mind, given his status as a career Boston Bruin. So, when the reports came out that Carlo had been acquired by the Leafs, I'm sure that most were pleasantly surprised.
Carlo was surprisingly amped up for the opportunity to join the Maple Leafs, expressing his excitement to be able to now play with Auston Matthews, who he views as potentially the best pure goal scorer in the NHL. Following the trade, Carlo shared his initial thoughts and revealed what he plans to bring to the team.
"I was wondering if they could even call after three o'clock, wondering if I was in the clear. Once I heard it was Toronto, I got very excited thinking about the opportunity I'm gonna have there with this group. What a special group they got. Very fortunate and blessed for the opportunity to go to another Original Six [team]. For them to want me is a huge compliment.
I wanna come in, play that shutdown role, facilitate all those guys that have that skill up front the best I can, and really help this group not allow many goals in the back of the net."
I wanna come in, play that shutdown role, facilitate all those guys that have that skill up front the best I can, and really help this group not allow many goals in the back of the net."
Brad Treliving revealed on Friday evening that the Leafs have been interested in acquiring Carlo much longer than most are aware. He was happy to finally get his man in the 6-foot-5, 220-pound right-shot defenseman.
"He has been on our radar for a long time. You don't know when players are going to become available. [Don Sweeney] and I had talked for a while. Donny made a decision that he was going to go in a certain direction.
It is the profile of him. He is big, long, has a great stick, defends the blue paint really well, is excellent on the penalty killer, and has tremendous character. In talking to both him and Donny today, he has been a big part of the success that has gone on in Boston, and they have had a lot of it. He has been on our radar for a long, long time."
It is the profile of him. He is big, long, has a great stick, defends the blue paint really well, is excellent on the penalty killer, and has tremendous character. In talking to both him and Donny today, he has been a big part of the success that has gone on in Boston, and they have had a lot of it. He has been on our radar for a long, long time."
As for Laughton, Treliving boasted about his tremendous character, revealing that Laughton is another player that he's had his eye on much longer than anyone had originally believed.
"I have been watching Scotty Laughton since he was in Oshawa. He has been a captain wherever he goes. If you look and see some of the things being said about him in Philly today, he is just a character guy.
As hard as it was for him - he has been a Flyer his whole life - he was emotional talking about coming home and playing for the Leafs. He is excited. That was a really important chapter in his life in Philly, but he is excited to start one here."
As hard as it was for him - he has been a Flyer his whole life - he was emotional talking about coming home and playing for the Leafs. He is excited. That was a really important chapter in his life in Philly, but he is excited to start one here."
The Leafs checked many boxes with these two deals, and while they did part with some significant assets, they did not do so for a rental. Not only that, but both players arrive in Toronto at a discounted rate, with Laughton coming at 50% retained through 2025-26, while Carlo comes to the Leafs with 15% of his salary retained for 2 seasons beyond this one.
Both Laughton and Carlo are expected to be in the lineup for the Leafs tonight against the Colorado Avalanche.
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