Scott Laughton Reveals What Caused His Slow Start in Initial Run With the Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel | Imagn Images
Scott Laughton is more comfortable heading into his first full season with the Maple Leafs, detailing what caused his struggles after being acquired at the deadline.
The Maple Leafs gave up a lot at the deadline in a 2027 first-round pick (top-10 protected) and prospect Nikita Grebenkin to acquire Laughton from the Flyers with 50% salary retention.
While Leafs Nation was pleased with the deal at the time, Laughton struggled mightily in 20 games with the Leafs to end the season tallying just 2 goals and four points.
The 31-year-old had the support of head coach Craig Berubeand obviously his teammates as he transitioned to a new team and role, but the fan base was slowly, but quickly becoming unhappy with their newly acquired center given his lack of production and the assets given up for him.
After a full summer in Toronto, Laughton is far more comfortable and is looking forward to the upcoming season and training camp. Joining NHL.com's Dave McCarthy on SiriusXM Wednesday, the 2012 first-round pick opened up about the cause of his struggles at the end of last season.
"It was hard. Definitely a change. When you're with one team for that long, you get to know everyone. You build those relationships, and that's probably the toughest part is leaving those relationships," Laughton shared.
Although leaving the only organization he's known through his career was tough, the toughest part according to Laughton was starting from scratch -- learning where everything is at the rink, the routines of his new teammates and how the organization operates.
"Just getting to know the staff here and the guys around the rink. It's been awesome and to get that comfortability again and to know where you're going and finding your way around the rink, it's something small but it's pretty big when you get to a new team. The new routines and the way a team does things. It was a big change for me and my family."
In looking ahead to training camp and his first full season with the Leafs, Laughton believes that having the time to adjust over the summer will help him get back to his best and be able to contribute more at both ends of the ice.
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