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Brad Treliving's Top Offseason Target for the Maple Leafs Has Been Identified

Originally posted on Hockey Patrol | By Austin Kelly | Last updated Mar 22, 2025 9:45 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs are being demanded to once again fill a major ask from the past few years.

It was hoped that the Leafs would be able to solve the team's need for a third-line center at the NHL Trade Deadline that has been an issue that Toronto has been attempting to patch for the past few years.

After a long hunt throughout the season with multiple names reported as being on the Leafs radar, GM Brad Treliving landed on Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton, giving up a top prospect in forward Nikita Grebenkin and a first round pick.

Now, after what has been a difficult start in Toronto for Laughton, some fans are wondering if the hole at 3C is still unfilled for next season.

Leafs Fans Begin Questions Of Scott Laughton's Future In Toronto

Scott Laughton has been pointless in seven games played this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, struggling to make an impact in his first few games as he hasn't yet settled into the lineup.

Having missed out on St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn, who ultimately remained in St. Louis, Laughton has not yet shown he can be the 3C the Leafs have wanted and has since been on the fourth line.

Failing to keep Ryan O'Reilly in 2023, Toronto has since lost out on a proper center option behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares, with a rotating group of players like Max Domi, Calle Jarnkrok, and even rookie Fraser Minten had a go at one point.

One potential option in the long-term could have been Minten, who has since been traded to the Boston Bruins, and has four points in three games with the Bruins AHL affiliate in Providence.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to need an offensive punch in their bottom-six which is why the team pushed for Laughton, and as of right now what the Leafs have needed has not come from their high-priced acquisition.

He hasn't registered a point since coming over to the Maple Leafs, and has 27 points in 67 games (11G, 16A) with both Toronto and Philadelphia.

If things do not change with Scott Laughton's performance, Toronto may still be left having not figured out the biggest need they spend a large chunk of their future to alleviate for the next few years.

This article first appeared on Hockey Patrol and was syndicated with permission.

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