Leafs Look to Avoid Media Circus, Explain Demotion for Scott Laughton So Soon After Trade

The Toronto Maple Leafs were acting like they were shot out of a cannon after the 4 Nations break, winning 5 consecutive games. However, they have now dropped 5 of their last 6 games and are looking for answers from within.

Ahead of their last game against Ottawa, head coach Craig Berube shuffled the lines in the hopes that it would jumpstart their stagnating offense. Auston Matthews was centering Max Domi and Matthew Knies, John Tavares was with Mitch Marner, and William Nylander was being centered by Scott Laughton.

The experiment barely lasted the full game and as the Leafs are set to drop the puck against the Calgary Flames tonight, Berube put his lines through the blender again, but this time he went back to his familiar trios, leaving Laughton as the odd man out.

Matthews and Marner returned to their top line duties, Tavares was back with Nylander, and the third line that has worked so well in Bobby McMann, Max Domi, and Nicholas Robertson were reunited once more. Laughton on the other hand will serve as the 4C with Steven Lorentz and Calle Jarnkrok.

Perhaps trying to get ahead of the a potential media circus after spending significant assets to acquire Laughton to fill the 3C slot behind Matthews and Tavares, Berube addressed why he made the changes and explained that it has nothing to do with Laughton's recent play:

Berube's essentially going back to what has worked in the past and if that's the case then he better stick to these formations for longer than a game or two. Let the chemistry rekindle, especially when you're looking for your core players to reignite their offensive games.

As for Laughton, it hasn't been the picturesque start he was looking for in Toronto, but he plays his best hockey when he's asked to play aggressively and be the identity line.

During his tenure with the Philadelphia Flyers, especially in the last few years under John Tortorella, he was used in all situations but it was his aggressive forechecking, never-ending motor, and tenacity that propelled his game - and incidentally increased his trade value.

Unfortunately, there's more pressure on him now that he's in Toronto compared to the rebuilding situation in Philadelphia. However, if he can get back to the basics, he will be able to provide the Leafs and Berube exactly what they're looking for and that starts tonight against Calgary.