Seravalli: Blues setting ‘exorbitant’ price for Brayden Schenn, Scott Laughton among Leafs targets

It has to start with a centre. There’s been tons of talk about Brayden Schenn. I’m told that the prices from St. Louis on all the players on Doug Armstrong’s team are exorbitant, and that includes Schenn. They’re looking for multiple first-round picks or equivalent. And that’s something that for the Toronto Maple Leafs is probably a bit of a reach. Either the price would need to come down for the Leafs to entertain going after Brayden Schenn, or they’d have to pivot to some other guys on their list.

They haven’t engaged yet with a team like the Philadelphia Flyers on Scott Laughton. I believe that would be target number two for Toronto on its board. Centre first, then a winger and you can also see them go out and get a defenceman as well. I know that seems like a lot of possibilities. I’d set the line as two and a half for Toronto Maple Leafs players inbound at this trade deadline. Brad Treliving is working the phones.

Schenn is widely considered Toronto’s top target, and it may be forced to surrender all of its best future assets, while prioritizing the immediate contention window, an uneasy ask, during a pivotal time in the franchise’s pursuit of a Stanley Cup. Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, Ben Danford and Toronto’s 2026 first-round pick are considered its most promising assets, and it would appear that the Maple Leafs would be reticent to part ways with Cowan, the organization’s top prospect. Toronto also holds all of its 2027 draft picks. Schenn has recorded 12 goals and 36 points in 60 games, and would immediately slot in as the Maple Leafs’ third-line centre, with the ability to be slotted up the lineup.

Laughton has also been rumoured to be a top target for the Maple Leafs, and there were prior suggestions that the acquisition cost would amount to a first-round pick plus Minten. The 30 year-old has recorded 11 goals and 27 points for the Flyers this season, and would also fit into a bottom-six role for the Maple Leafs, albeit without the scoring punch and cache that Schenn provides.

This may be the most important trade deadline in recent Maple Leafs’ history, with Mitch Marner and John Tavares still requiring contract extensions. It’s the time for the Maple Leafs to go all-in, and it may require meeting a truly exorbitant ask, within the narrow confines of the salary cap.