The Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up for the 2024-25 NHL season with the same question that has haunted the team on and off for years and that is: who will be the third line center?
Personally, I believe the best internal option for the third line center is either John Tavares or to test Fraser Minten again to see if this past year of junior now makes him the best option to play centre on the third line for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Leafs could turn either Marner or Nylander into a centre, play Tavares on the third line, and have a star player centring each line.
This is a much better idea than using the 34 year-old Tavares on the second line and having too many wingers on the roster and also needing to go outside the organization for a trade.
If the Leafs choose not to convert one of Marner or Nylander, they have only temporary options left between Calle Järnkrok, Max Domi or Pontus Holmberg the team will need to go out and find a better solution.
Below or some trade options that the general manager Brad Treliving could go after to improve the team.
Third-Line Center Trade Options for Toronto Maple Leafs
Scott Laughton - Philadelphia Flyers
The former first round pick of the Philadelphia Flyers is now 30-years old and has two years left on a modest $3M cap hit salary (ref: PuckPedia.com).
Laughton averaged around 15-minutes of ice-time this past season, which included nearly two minutes on the penalty kill. He comes with some offensive value as he has averaged 41-points the last two seasons, including 18-goals just two years ago, but at 30 has very little upside.
The former Oshawa General averages nearly two hits a game over his career which has not slowed down and even garnered some Frank J. Selke considerations, albeit one fifth place vote.