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Maple Leafs’ Laughton Deal Delivers Unexpected Bonus

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Apr 14, 2026 12:28 PM ET

With the LA Kings clinching a playoff spot (they’re currently holding the second wild card in the West), the conditional 2026 pick the Toronto Maple Leafs received for Scott Laughton has officially upgraded from a 3rd-rounder to a 2nd-rounder.

The Kings defeated the Seattle Kraken 5-3 on Monday night, punching their ticket to the postseason. The Kings getting in has been a bit of a surprise. They went on a tear at the end of the season, winning five in a row and going 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. They made the postseason with the fewest regular-season wins of any playoff team, thanks in part to their 19 overtime points.

Quick Laughton Trade Recap:

On March 6, 2026, the Maple Leafs traded Laughton to the Kings for a conditional 2026 3rd-round pick (from the Ottawa Senators). The condition of the trade was that it would become a 2nd if LA made the playoffs.

That happened on Monday night.

Laughton has been a solid depth addition for the Kings as a third-line center, averaging around 16 minutes per game, providing veteran stability, faceoff help, and some secondary scoring (5 goals, 3 assists in 19 games post-trade).

The Maple Leafs players all talked about his leadership and upbeat personality in the locker room, something the Kings obvious got the benefit of when he arrived.

Silver Lining on the Laughton Trade

This is a nice little win for Toronto’s asset management on a rental who was going to be a UFA anyway. The upgraded 2nd heads to the Leafs, with some speculation that Laughton might even be open to a return this summer.

Kings fans seem happy with Laughton’s fit as a reliable two-way guy down the middle, and there is talk the Kings might be looking to re-sign him. If that happens, Los Angeles will happily take the condition being met. They’re in the postseason, which is a lot more than can be said for the Leafs, who at best, get a better future pick out of it.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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