Maple Leafs acquire centre Scott Laughton from Flyers

The Toronto Maple Leafs have added some long-needed depth down the middle.

Toronto acquired centreman Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers ahead of Friday's trade deadline, sending Nikita Grebenkin and a conditional first-round pick in 2027 back the other way in the deal.

The Maple Leafs also received a 2025 fourth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick in the deal, and some cap flexibility, with the Flyers retaining 50 per cent of Laughton's salary.

Headed towards the deadline with the expectations of the Maple Leafs faithful looming, Toronto was expected to add a pivot to bolster its centre depth heading into the home stretch of the campaign. Laughton slots in as a worthy solution, the 30-year-old proving himself as a quality depth piece during his tenure in Philadelphia.

The Oakville, Ont., product spent all 12 years of his big-league career to this point in Flyers colours, after being drafted 20th overall by the organization in 2012. Speaking with Sportsnet's Hockey Central Trade Deadline panel on Friday, he described what it means to be leaving Philly to suit up for his boyhood club.

“Pretty emotional, saying your goodbyes after being in one place for 12 years. But it feels very surreal to be going home," Laughton told the panel. "And to have a chance at winning the Stanley Cup, and being with a great group. I think the way I fit in there will be great.”

Asked if he grew up cheering for the Maple Leafs as a kid in Oakville, Laughton reeled off his vintage favourites.

“They were my team," he said. "I liked the tough guys — I liked Wade Belak and Tie Domi, Garry Valk, guys like Darcy Tucker and Shayne Corson. It was so cool going to those games and watching those guys. I was a Leaf fan growing up.

"My dad was a big Bruins fan so he tried to convert me, but it didn’t work.”

Laughton grew up playing for the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midget AAA of the Greater Toronto Hockey League and the St. Michael's Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

After a decade in Philly, he's found himself in trade rumours year after year as the Flyers moved towards a retool and fell outside the playoff picture. Now, in Toronto, he'll get a chance to play playoff hockey once again.

“That’s why you play," Laughton told the panel. "The past couple years in Philly, we haven’t been able to get the chance (to play in the post-season), and every time I’ve gone to the playoffs we’ve lost in the first round, other than the bubble year. So, to have a chance is all you want as a player.

"I’m getting that chance, and I’m very grateful for it. I just know that whatever’s going to come in the future, it’s going to be good for me. I’m very happy and excited about what’s to come.

Laughton is in the fourth year of a five-year pact that carries a $3-million average annual value. He joins a Maple Leafs squad stocked with familiar faces, having grown up playing alongside Max Domi, and teaming up with head coach Craig Berube in the past as well.

“I was fortunate to play for (Berube) in Philly — I absolutely loved playing for him," Laughton said of his new coach. "He gets the most out of you. He’s a player’s coach, but is hard on you when he needs to be. So, I’m really excited to play for Chief again, and have that chance.”

On the other side of the deal, the Flyers land Grebenkin, who was selected by the Maple Leafs in the fifth round, 135th overall, back in 2022.

The Russian forward debuted with the team this season, playing seven games in the NHL, but was held pointless in those appearances. However, in 39 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies this season, he has nine goals and 12 assists.

Prior to making his way to North America, Grebenkin put up 19 goals and 22 assists for the Magnitogorsk Metallurg of the KHL in Russia at 20 years old last season and helped the team to a championship.