Instant Analysis: Maple Leafs acquire top-nine forward help with addition of Scott Laughton

Scott Laughton, Maple LeafsThe Maple Leafs have acquired help for their top-nine forward group, adding Oakville native Scott Laughton along with fourth-round and sixth-round picks from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Toronto’s first-round draft pick in 2027 (top 10 protected) and prospect Nikita Grebenkin. The Flyers have retained 50% of Laughton’s $3 million AAV contract, which extends through the end of next season.

It was a long-rumoured trade, and the Leafs paid up to some extent to get it done. It’s a lot to give up at first blush, but that’s the NHL trade market at this deadline, and Scott Laughton at just $1.5 million through the end of next season is excellent value, as is…