With all the trades that have happened in the last week, Maple Leafs fans were concerned that General Manager Brad Treliving would stand pat. Both Atlantic Division rivals, the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lighting, have improved their rosters as they gear up for the playoffs. The Maple Leafs need to address the glaring holes in their roster if they want to have a chance for a deep playoff run.
Treliving has made his first trade of the NHL Trade Deadline this year. The Maple Leafs have acquired Scott Laughton, a 2025 fourth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Philadelpia Flyers for Nikita Grebenkin and a conditional first-round pick in 2027. The Flyers also retain 50% of Laughton’s salary and the first-round pick is top 10 protected:
Let’s take a look at the impacts of the Maple Leafs’ first move of the trade deadline.
What the Maple Leafs gain
The Maple Leafs finally get a center to fill out the third line. Laughton brings several good qualities come playoffs– He’s fast, he can penalty kill, and he is a character guy. He plays a physical game by crashing the net, throwing hits, and stealing pucks. Laughton will be a major upgrade over Max Domi at third-line center who plays better as a winger.
Laughton has been fairly consistent throughout his career, generally scoring 30-40 points a season. On the season, Laughton has 11 goals, 16 assists for 27 points in 60 games. While he’s on pace for less points than last season, the Flyers are currently 14th in the Eastern Conference. Time will tell how he will mesh with the Maple Leafs group.
The Maple Leafs also gain 50% salary retention on Laughton’s contract, which has another year after this season. $1.5M for Laughton for this year and next year is a solid bottom-six piece. The Maple Leafs also received draft capital in a 2025 fourth and 2027 sixth round pick.
What the Maple Leafs lose
The Maple Leafs lose what already seems to be a fan favourite in Niktia Grebenkin. What was probably a factor in this deal is his motto: “backcheck, forecheck, paycheque”. While a great media quip, it defines his game to a T. He is a speedy, tenacious winger, who is used to playing against men in the KHL.
In the KHL, Grebenkin has shown that he has some offence to his game. Scoring 41 points in 67 games in his last season with Magnitogorsk Metallurg. This season with the Toronto Marlies, Grebenkin is having a decent first year, scoring nine goals, 12 assists for 21 points in 39 games. He is very close to being an NHL regular, and will get more opportunities than he would’ve received in Toronto with the logjam upfront.
The Maple Leafs also give up their first-round pick in 2027. This is not surprising, given the long rumoured ask for Laughton was a first-round pick plus a prospect.
Overall
Brad Treliving extends his streak to 11 years in a row, making a move at the trade deadline. The Maple Leafs are in a win-now mode, so it makes sense they would give up future assets in the trade for Laughton. Overall, while Grebenkin will be missed, in comparison to other deals, the trade looks decent for both teams.
The Flyers get a young energy player with some offensive upside in Grebenkin and a 2027 first-round pick (top 10 protected), while the Maple Leafs receive a third-line center with a $1.5M salary retention for this season and next season, and some draft picks. The Maple Leafs can use these draft picks in other trades or draft another Nikita Grebenkin.
What do you think about Treliving’s first move of the trade deadline? What do you think of the value? Leave a comment below!
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