Trade brewing between Leafs and Flyers to get hometown forward in Toronto?

A recent trade speculation involving the Toronto Maple Leafs could bring a local player back home. Former NHLer and now hockey analyst Paul Bissonnette had one specific player in mind when he was asked by Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill on the Leafs Morning Take who he felt would be a good addition to the Leafs’ roster.

His focus was immediately on Philadelphia Flyers’ Scott Laughton, who could become available on the trade market.

“The name always mentioned and I love him because he plays hard 200-foot game is Scott Laughton. I heard he’s a likeable guy, he makes $3M, have to give up a decent return to have him for this year and next but scout him the way Tampa Bay made trades. They aren’t flashy but foundational pieces.”

In Philadelphia, Laughton plays mostly on the fourth line and is one of the team’s best penalty-killers. He put up an amazing record last week when he scored four goals in Philly’s 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings, becoming the first Flyer to turn on the red light four times in a game since John LeClair did it in Montreal on Oct. 15, 2002.

Laughton has spent his entire 12-year NHL career in Philadelphia, but there could be a chance that he would enjoy the idea for playing for his hometown team. He grew up in Oakville, ON, about an hour outside of Toronto, and also played for Toronto-based teams, including with the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL).

Currently on year four of his five-year year deal, Laughton is signed for $3M annually. It would be a cheap option to bring in Laughton to the Maple Leafs and could in fact become more than just a trade scenario after the Holiday roster freeze.

However, Laughton was once pranked on a live podcast that he was being traded to the Maple Leafs last year, and let’s just say he didn’t sound too happy about it.

But who knows, maybe the right trade could make it work for everyone involved if Bissonnette is right about this perfect fit between Laughton and Toronto.