The Colorado Avalanche rumors continue to grind as the March 6 NHL trade deadline draws closer. We’ve all heard the most common names linked to the Avs.
But one surprising name hit the wire on Sunday. In a trade deadline preview, insider Elliotte Friedman named a Toronto Maple Leafs center as a trade target for the Avalanche.
During an appearance on TNT, Friedman named Scott Laughton as a name he’s heard linked to Colorado.
“One of the centers I’ve heard could end up in Colorado is Scott Laught, who I think would be a tremendous fit. And he would be more of a rental.”
Laughton’s name came up as a response to the possibility of Nazem Kadri returning to Colorado. However, Friedman underscored something that we already knew about. The Avalanche are in a holding pattern regarding big-name players and long-term contracts until they know how much it will take to re-sign Cale Makar.
That’s why adding a veteran like Laughton makes sense. The 31-year-old is a depth center, playing on the fourth line for a struggling Maple Leafs team this season. The Leafs paid a steep price for him at last year’s deadline in a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Now, it could be that Laughton lands in Colorado as a depth piece rather than a major contributor.
How Laughton fits into Avalanche lineup
Make no mistake about Laughton’s role in the Avalanche lineup. He’ll likely be the 4C behind Jack Drury. The veteran center does not provide much offense, if any at all. This season, he’s chipped in eight goals and 12 points in 42 games.
That’s actually a bump in production after a tough start to the year. Laughton missed some time earlier this season with injuries, including a concussion.
But he is a great penalty killer and could chew up some tough minutes in late-game situations. He’s one of the few players that Maple Leafs’ coach Craig Berube trusts this season in Toronto.
So, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see him fit easily into Jared Bednar’s game plan.
As for the cost to acquire Laughton, his cap hit will make him pricey. He could cost a mid-tier prospect and a draft pick. While there’s no chance the Leafs recoup the first-round pick they paid for him last year, the asking price could start there and regress to a second or third-rounder.
If it’s a prospect they want, the Leafs might push for someone like Max Curran or Mikhail Gulyayev. Toronto is bereft of young talent and could try to pry a solid prospect away from whatever organization they can.
All told, adding Laughton wouldn’t be the worst idea. However, the Avalanche must be careful not to surrender too much for an impending UFA. And that’s the key. Laughton will hit the market next summer, though it wouldn’t be overly onerous to keep the veteran in Colorado.