Scott Laughton’s Former Maple Leafs Teammates Hope for His Free Agency Return

Veteran center Scott Laughton may have only donned the Los Angeles Kings jersey for 14 games, but the impact he left on his former Toronto Maple Leafs teammates is palpable. As Laughton prepares to face the Maple Leafs for the first time since his trade at this year’s NHL deadline, echoes of camaraderie and nostalgia fill the air.

Having played just 76 games with the Maple Leafs, Laughton’s time in Toronto was brief yet memorable. With his contract set to expire, speculation swirls about the possibility of a reunion as he heads into free agency. After practice on Friday, Toronto’s Steve Lorentz expressed the sentiment felt by many in the locker room. “Yeah, that’d be awesome! We would welcome him back with open arms. I know there’s a lot of guys in this locker room that feel the same way,” he said, clearly reflecting their collective wish to see Laughton return.

The Kings acquired Laughton from the Maple Leafs as he approached the end of his contract, which carries a $1.5 million cap hit. Unless Kings general manager Ken Holland pushes for a contract extension before July 1, Laughton could become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

When asked about the potential for Laughton’s return to Toronto, Leafs coach Craig Berube acknowledged the possibility. “Yeah, I could see it, for sure. He really liked it in Toronto, and he’s from around there, too. I think that was a… dream for him to go back home and play,” he noted, hinting at Laughton’s strong ties to the area.

Beyond the desire for a reunion, Laughton’s former teammates praised his contributions and character. Lorentz emphasized his value on the ice, stating, “I think you win with a guy like Scott. He’s a glue guy, he plays the game the right way, he plays hard, and he’s definitely got the skill offensively and defensively to be out there in all situations.” Laughton has indeed proven to be versatile, playing significant roles for the Kings in various game situations.

Since debuting with Los Angeles on March 7, Laughton has quickly made his mark. He is among the team leaders in shorthanded ice time, sharing the top spot with defensemen Joel Edmundson, Mikey Anderson, and Cody Ceci. Additionally, he contributes to the Kings’ second power-play unit, averaging over a minute of ice time per game on the man advantage.

His importance is further underscored in the faceoff circle, where Laughton boasts a 58.1 percent win rate. This statistic showcases not only his skill but also his strategic value, particularly as he often takes the opening draw in overtime to secure possession for the Kings. With his combination of on-ice talent and positive influence in the locker room, it’s clear why Laughton remains cherished by his former teammates.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.