Maple Leafs May Reap the Benefits of a Big Bounce Back Season From Versatile Forward

There has been a lot of emphasis put on the Toronto Maple Leafs' apparent inability to replace Mitch Marner with an adequate top-6 forward this summer, despite addressing depth at forward and adding Matias Maccelli, Dakota Joshua, and Nicolas Roy.

One player in particular that can help chip in with some additional offense is a player who is often forgotten about Scott Laughton.

Acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers ahead of the trade deadline, the utility forward took a bit of time to adjust to his new surroundings but looked to be coming out of his shell a little bit during the post-season.

The veteran pivot scored just 2 goals and 6 points in 33 games between the regular season and playoffs, but there's a great deal of untapped potential there in Toronto. Establishing a clear role for Laughton is going to be important, but he's shown in the past that he can successfully play in any situation, with any level of skill, and at any forward position.

On a Flyers team not known for scoring, Laughton potted double-digit tallies in every year but 1 between 2017 and 2025, including 13+ goals on 4 separate occasions, all while playing a defensive role alongside more defensive minded linemates.

In 2022-23, head coach John Tortorella decided to open things up for him and he ran with the opportunity as he averaged career-highs across the board with an 18:17 ATOI, 18 goals, and 43 points.

Additionally, his shorthanded prowess has always been a strength. It reached new heights in his final few seasons in Philadelphia, where he accumulated 5 goals and 15 points while down a man in a 2-year span, which is something the Leafs could use more of with Marner's departure leaving a void on the penalty kill.

What should also help the Leafs is that the feisty forward doesn't back down from a fight, will get his team going when they need a spark, always finishes his checks, and has been efficient in the face-off dot in recent years.

If given those same opportunities this coming season, Laughton should reach 12+ goals and 35+ points, even in the bottom six.

His previous relationship with head coach Craig Berube should also play a factor in the Oakville, Ontario native bouncing back and giving the Leafs a much needed boost offensively from the lower half of the lineup.