The Toronto Maple Leafs dealt a pair of players ahead of Friday’s deadline, shipping forward Bobby McMann to Seattle for a second-round pick in 2027 and a fourth-round pick in 2026, and forward Scott Laughton to Los Angeles for a 2026 third-round pick that will become a second-round selection if the Kings make the playoffs this season, sources tell ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
McMann and Laughton are both pending unrestricted free agents. Toronto had been in talks with McMann about a potential contract extension, but without a deal in place by Friday, the Leafs were comfortable trying to get something in return for him. Toronto gave up a 2027 first-round pick and a prospect to acquire Laughton at the 2025 trade deadline.
McMann, 29, has 19 goals and 32 points in 60 games this season while averaging a career-high 15:19 TOI per game. McMann has been a key part of the Leafs’ top-six forwards group for the last two seasons, often skating alongside center Auston Matthews, and seemed primed to be part of their future.
Toronto’s downward spiral over the last few months — they’re seventh overall in the Atlantic Division — has raised questions about the team’s direction and made players like McMann expendable in exchange for assets.
For Seattle, McMann is an infusion of needed depth. The Kraken are 24th in scoring this season — averaging 2.82 goals per game — while clinging to the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. McMann’s versatility to play throughout the lineup and on special teams will boost Seattle’s prospects of taking advantage of a weak Pacific Division as it works to move up in the standings.
Laughton is going out west as well for the first time in his career. The veteran, 31, has eight goals and 12 points in 43 games this season. He had been relegated to a bottom-six role under coach Craig Berube but provided a stable shutdown presence and physicality to the lineup. Los Angeles — having traded Corey Perry to Tampa Bay earlier Friday — will have some of that snarl back in the mix with Laughton as it battles for a wild-card berth.
Toronto began its off-loading Thursday, when it sent Nicolas Roy to Colorado for a pair of draft picks, including a first-rounder.
The NHL’s trade deadline officially expired at 3 p.m. ET Friday.
