An Interesting Leafs Conspiracy Theory Has Emerged Regarding Berube and Laughton

A lot has been made of Craig Berube's handling of newly-minted Maple Leaf Scott Laughton, but a new Leafs conspiracy really takes the cake.

In the days and weeks leading up to the NHL's March 7th trade deadline, the Leafs, as always, were connected to just about everyone on the market, including, but not limited to, Scott Laughton.

A 3rd line centre was always the biggest need for the Leafs, but their top acquisition at the deadline actually ended up being 6'5' defenseman Brandon Carlo, who has fit in seamlessly so far in Toronto.

While the Leafs did pull the trigger and bring in a quality piece to address a clear need at 3C, JD Bunkis and Sam McKee discussed a bit of a conspiracy theory that Laughton wasn't Berube's preferred trade deadline target and that his usage is reflective of that.

Unless you had been living under a rock in the weeks leading up to the deadline, you'll know that St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn was the Leafs' number one preference. However, with the veteran forward blocking a trade to Toronto, the Leafs ended up turning their attention to Laughton -- something that Bunkis and McKee believe fell well short of Berube's expectations. They also believe it may have impacted how he views the Laughton acquisition.

'Here's what I don't get with it, okay? So, clearly, coaches and GMs are talking and coaches are asking guys for players, right? Here's my [big] conspiracy theory,' Bunkis began. It was then that McKee jumped in and said, '[Berube] wanted [Brayden] Schenn so bad. So bad.'

'That's my conspiracy theory,' Bunkis affirmed. 'He wanted Schenn so bad. He went to the table, begged for Schenn, they couldn't get Schenn and then all he sees in Scott Laughton is 'you're not Schenn'.'

Bunkis and McKee then went into detail about how when Brayden Schenn was celebrating his 1000th career NHL game, Berube was so complimentary of the player and person that Schenn is and clearly holds him in such high regard and would welcome the opportunity to coach him again.

Another item discussed by Bunkis and McKee was that management would have consulted Berube about Laughton before acquiring him, knowing that Chief had coached him previously in Philadelphia.

Knowing this, something about the way Berube has handled Laughton doesn't add up, and it's a completely reasonable take, in my opinion, to suggest that Laughton is getting lost in the mix right now because he's not Brayden Schenn and that Berube is let down by the fact that he didn't get his guy.

However, now that the dust has settled, Berube does need to figure this thing out and get Laughton going, because the playoffs are right around the corner.