Forward Scott Laughton is one of the Toronto Maple Leafs best trade chips, which means there should be a lot of teams calling.
At last year's trade deadline, the Leafs traded Nikita Grebenkin and a 2027 first-round pick for Laughton, with hopes that he would solidify the team's fourth-line. One year later, the team is hoping to get that first-round pick back as the pending UFA is most likely not part of the organization's future.
Acquiring Laughton was a smart move because he had term, but unfortunately the team only got one playoff run with him, as they're going to miss the playoffs this season.
In a perfect world, Toronto will recieve a first-rounder and prospect back for Laughton's services, but in reality, a second or third-round pick seems fair. The Leafs paid more for him because of his term, while others may not value him as highly this year.
Either way, here are three teams should be pursuing Laughton at this year's deadline
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche are a Stanley Cup contending team, so adding Laughton to the mix would be a dream scenario for that organization. They are already deep at centre with Brock Nelson and Nathan MacKinnon, but could always use another veteran down the middle.
Colorado holds their 2027 first-rounder and multiple second-rounders that year, which may be more than fair value for Laughton.
Minnesota Wild
With $17M owed to Kirill Kaprizov next year, the Wild would love to continue to add cheap contracts who expire at the end of the year. The team's defense is set for the next few years, but like most teams, they would love another veteran centre for playoff time.
The Wild are in the hardest division in hockey, so they may be willing to give up more assets to get the player they think can push them over the edge. Nazem Kadri is probably their dream player, but he makes too much money and has too much term, so Laughton may be their second best choice and someone the team would trade a first-roudner for.
Utah Mammoth
Utah has three second-round picks in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, so they have a ton of assets to move in a Laughton-package. Not only that, but they have a ton of cap-space next year too, that they can trade for him and re-sign immediately.
The Mammoth are one of those teams that don't have a ton of star-power, but they're just good all around. However, adding a veteran like Laughton into a pretty young team would be super beneficial down the stretch. Also, Utah currently has a young owner who loves to spend and they also haven't made the playoffs yet, so they should be doing whatever they can to improve their roster and guarantee a playoff spot for the first time.