As the market for centers slowly diminished throughout the week, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving finally found their middle-six center in Scott Laughton.
The Maple Leafs acquired Laughton along with two draft picks from the Philadelphia Flyers for prospect Nikita Grebenkin and a conditional 2027 first-round pick on Friday. The Flyers retained half of Laughton’s $3-million cap hit in the countdown to the NHL trade deadline.
Laughton has acted as a third-line center for most of his time with the Flyers this season, and that’s likely where he’ll slot in for Toronto. That potentially forces center Max Domi to move to the left wing.
Luckily, Domi is a versatile player and has played the wing on plenty of occasions for Craig Berube’s team. With more assurance down the middle, Domi could be pushed to the left wing on the second line, which is currently occupied by Pontus Holmberg.
Domi has had a down year thus far, scoring just four goals and 24 points in 54 games for the Maple Leafs. Laughton has 11 goals and 27 points in 60 games.
Laughton’s can pitch in offensively at times, even if he’s no sniper. He’s the only player to score four goals in a game this season in a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Dec. 12.
While Treliving would’ve likely hoped to acquire a player who could score more, the market thinned out, and the Leafs will take what they can get.
The Maple Leafs were involved in discussions to acquire a load of middle-six centers, including the St. Louis Blues’ Brayden Schenn, now-Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson and Ottawa Senators acquisition Dylan Cozens at one point.
Nonetheless, Laughton can be considered an upgrade as the third-line center in Toronto. The 30-year-old plays a more effective blend of physicality, shutdown play and third-line scoring. He fits the third-line role better than Domi, who seemed to be shoehorned into that spot.
Laughton has the instinct to get behind the puck and support the defense. On the other hand, Domi is offensive-minded, and pushing him to the wing allows him to create plays freely.
If Domi doesn’t move to the second line, he would remain on the third line but still play in the left-wing position. That could mean Bobby McMann rejoins…