Scott Laughton does not want to be traded

The The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a tough spot there are six days left until March 6 NHL Trade Deadline. Currently 27-23-9, dead last in the Atlantic Division and a full eight points out of a playoff spot, there is a scenario in which the front office decides to sell up and regain draft capital for the future.

One potential victim is ahead Scott Lawton, who was traded to the Leafs from the Philadelphia Flyers at last year’s deadline. The 31-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but he made it clear he wants to stay in Šestica.

“I want to be in the fight with these guys,” the veteran told reporters Saturday, according to NHL.com. “I loved my time here and I loved playing with these guys, so I want to be in contention with these guys and keep moving forward.”

The former first-round pick continued, “I haven’t really changed much. I take pride in trying to be consistent in every aspect of coming to the rink, being positive with the guys. It’s out of our control. It’s in nobody’s control but the staff and we have to go out and do the work and play for each other and hold each other accountable and make it difficult for teams to get back into the game.”

The Leafs gave up significant pieces for Laughton at the deadline, including a conditional first-round pick and forward prospect Nikita Grebenkin.

The season is slipping away from Scott Laughton, Leafs

It’s been a challenging season in every aspect for the Leafs, who have dealt with injuries and inconsistent play throughout the campaign. The roster also isn’t as strong without Mitch Marner, who is averaging over a point per game in his first year with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Laughton didn’t advertise much in Toronto either. He had just two assists in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Leafs lost in Game 7 to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in the 2nd round.

The 2025-26 season wasn’t kind to the veteran either; he scored just eight goals and 11 points in 41 games while averaging 13:42 of ice time per game.

“I’ve been in Philly rumors for as long as I can remember since I signed, so they’re always there,” Lawton continued. “You try to clear your mind but at the end of the day it’s your life, it’s where you live, it’s where your family is and it’s different now that you have a family. I’m just going to keep trying to play my game, help these guys as much as I can and hopefully I’m here.”

It would make sense for Brad Treliving and the front office to explore a trade for Laughton, especially since he could walk for free in free agency if he doesn’t deal. He originally signed a five-year contract with the Flyers – the team that drafted him – back in April 2021.

The Leafs have four more games before the trade deadline, and if they can’t pick up some wins during that stretch, Laughton likely won’t be the only player to change scenery.