Scott Laughton has finally seemed to find his fit in the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup. Laughton was acquired during the trade deadline last season in a trade that sent Nikita Grebenkin and a conditional 2027 first-round draft pick the other way. Laughton struggled early with the Maple Leafs, as he couldn’t seem to find a fit. The 31-year old has had a successful career with both the Flyers, and early on in Toronto. He was drafted 20th overall by the Flyers back in 2012. Laughton spent the first 12 years of his NHL career with the Flyers. Now, he is embarking on his career as a Maple Leaf.
The Unfortunate Events for Laughton
Scott Laughton finally looked to find his place with the Leafs. During the preseason, he was able to find chemistry on a line with Easton Cowan and Steven Lorentz. The trio looked strong and could play serviceable minutes in the NHL for the Leafs. Towards the end of the preseason, Scott Laughton suffered a lower-body injury and was listed week-to-week.
This injury not only set back Laughton but the Maple Leafs’ bottom six. Once Laughton returned for the Maple Leafs, he had another setback. During the second game of his season, Laughton got injured once again in a game against the Boston Bruins with an upper-body injury. The Maple Leafs struggled over this period to find depth scoring and find players that fit in head coach Craig Berube‘s style of hockey.
Laughton’s Impact on the Lines Lineup
Laughton then returned to the Maple Leafs on November 20th and instantly made a difference. The Oakville, Ontario product makes more of an impact than just goals and assists. He has proven to be able to play hard minutes on the penalty kill and in the bottom six for the Maple Leafs. This season with the Leafs Laughton has produced three goals and one assists in 13 games. Scott Laughton will give you his 100% in every shift on the ice, and will motivate and push his teammates to play with the same tenacity that he brings.
Scott Laughton is very upfront with the media on what the team needs to do, and how he needs to be better. During preseason Laughton mentioned that he wasn’t good enough with the Leafs during the end of the regular season and into their run in the playoffs. In a recent loss against the Edmonton Oilers he told the media “It’s hard to understand, we just have to be better,” We have to better managing games in certain situations. You see those guys, you know how good they are in moments, and it can turn on you that quick. We just gotta know. We don’t have to make the perfect play every shift, it’s a 60-minute game for a reason. You gotta wear the team down and go the other way, play north, make them come to you. I don’t think we did enough of that.”
Scott Laughton is a player that every team wants. He may not be the flashest player but he will always play that shift as it is his last. Laughton will continue to play a crucial role for the Maple Leafs as the season goes on. This will be emphasized even more so, as they push for the playoffs.
Main Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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