The Toronto Maple Leafs had a small reason to celebrate on Monday.
After the Los Angeles Kings locked up the final spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Maple Leafs saw their return from the Scott Laughton trade get sweeter.
As part of the deadline deal, the Maple Leafs received a conditional 2026 third-round pick, which was to become a second-round selection if Los Angeles qualified for the post-season.
To clinch, the Kings had to defeat the Seattle Kraken in any fashion, and the San Jose Sharks had to defeat the Predators in regulation.
With just one game remaining in their season, Toronto has a 32-35-14 record, sitting second-last in the Eastern Conference and 28th in the league overall.
The Maple Leafs failed to qualify for the playoffs this season for the first time since 2016. They were officially eliminated from contention on April 2 after a loss to the Sharks.
Meanwhile, Toronto also must await the final outcome of another previous trade. The 2026 first-round pick the Maple Leafs dealt in the Brandon Carlo trade last season had a condition: if it turns out to be a top-five selection, Toronto keeps the pick. However, if it is any later, it goes to the Boston Bruins.
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