Scott Laughton Reacts to Fake Trade to Maple Leafs Prank in Real Time Back in 2023

Acquired by the Leafs on March 7th for Nikita Grebenkin and a first-round pick, Scott Laughton has been tasked by Craig Berube to get back to the basics after struggling in his first seven games with the club.

The 30-year-old had been a target of the Leafs before Brad Treliving and Berube even arrived in Toronto with the Leafs pursuing him ahead of the 2023 trade deadline. Before that 2023 deadline, Laughton was a guest on the 'Nasty Knuckles' podcast with Riley Cote and Derek Settlemyre.

Appearing on the podcast mere hours before the deadline, Cote and Settlemyre had one of their cameramen tell Laughton that Elliotte Friedman reported he was being trade to the Leafs, leaving Laughton speechless and with a flabbergasted look on his face.

Laughton was stunned, but didn't share an extreme reaction one way or another to the news, suggesting that his first reaction was to call his partner to tell her about the news. Now that the trade has become a reality, though, Laughton has publicly expressed his excitement about the opportunity to wear the iconic Maple Leaf on his sweater.

With the Leafs finally landing the Oakville, Ontario native at 50-percent of his salary retained, Laughton won't have to worry about moving in the middle of next season as the Leafs are hopeful he will provide a long-term solution to their center problems on the third line.

For now, however, the Leafs are just hoping he can get back to basics and start to contribute the way he was with the Flyers as they prepare for a deep playoff run.