The Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly need to give up a package that could include Fraser Minten and a 2026 first round pick to acquire Philadelphia Flyers centre Scott Laughton.
Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco reported over the weekend that the Leafs and Winnipeg Jets were among the front runners for Laughton’s services. On Tuesday, Di Marco expanded on his initial report that included what it would take for GM Brad Treliving to get the deal done.
The Flyers centre is in hot demand as the total number of teams who have inquired with Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere is up to seven, meaning the Leafs would need to pony up if they want to get this done. Although Laughton may not be the marquee add fans have clamoured for, he could certainly help address their gaping hole at 3C.
“The Leafs project to have a little less than $3 million in cap space by the deadline, so it will take a little cap gymnastics to fit Laughton in at full price ($3 million AAV) for this season and next; given the level of interest in Laughton, I don’t think the Flyers will be looking to retain salary on him. If the return is sufficient enough, perhaps the Flyers would take back a player like David Kampf and the remaining two years on his contract at a $2.4 million cap hit.
As for the actual return, Fraser Minten’s name has been tied to the Flyers; given the team’s lack of center depth, Minten would check a much-needed box in the pipeline. Overall, a first-round selection (or prospect/player equivalent) is what the Flyers will want as a starting point – not the end all – in a package for Laughton. The Leafs do not have a first-round pick in 2025, but the Flyers are open to the pick being in 2026, too.”
The cap hit attached to Laughton is reasonable enough that the Leafs could feasibly fit it into their books provided they ship out a player at a similar cap hit, hence why Kampf is listed as someone that could be on the way out. He and Max Domi are considered to be cap casualties and this would be the exact type of move that would make sense for the Leafs to move out a contract to make room for someone that would be a better fit. While I would imagine Treliving would prefer the Flyers retain a bit of the contract – perhaps to match up with Kampf’s cap hit – this won’t be what kills the deal.
What will really give people some pause is the fact that a first round pick would have to be the starting point of a potential Laughton trade and that Minten may need to added. Although the Flyers would be okay with taking a 2026 first given the Leafs don’t own this year’s first, it is nonetheless a steep price to pay for a player of Laughton’s calibre. Giving up one of their prized assets should be saved for the kind of impactful player that would make a meaningful impact on the team such as Michael Kesselring or Dylan Cozens.
Di Marco mentioned that the Jets they have a clear need at centre and they do have their 2025 first, which is something the Flyers would value more than any of Winnipeg’s prospects. He also noted that Philadelphia is in a position of strength given the overall lack of quality centres available apart from possibly Ryan O’Reilly and Yanni Gourde. Meaning that they can afford to take their time and set up a bidding war to maximize their return for Laughton, especially since as much as seven teams are interested.
All of which is to say that Treliving will have to be willing to give up quite a bit if he wants to get Laughton onto the Leafs. While it is unclear if this move will actually come to fruition, we have an idea of what it would cost to get it done and it certainly won’t come cheap.
