The Toronto Maple Leafs have scratched forwards Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton, along with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, for their game against the New Jersey Devils, amid speculation of impending trades before Friday's NHL deadline. Separately, defenseman Chris Tanev underwent core muscle surgery and will miss the rest of the season. These moves signal the team's shift toward selling assets as they sit nine points out of a playoff spot.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, currently seventh in the Atlantic Division with a 27-24-10 record, are nine points behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Ahead of the NHL trade deadline at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, the team has made Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton and Oliver Ekman-Larsson healthy scratches for Wednesday's game at the Prudential Center against the New Jersey Devils. The decision is for roster management purposes, as trade rumors swirl around the depth players to avoid injury risks.
McMann, 29, is on an expiring $1.35-million contract and has recorded 19 goals and 32 points in 60 games this season. Laughton, 31, from Oakville, Ontario, joined the Leafs at last year's deadline in a trade that sent a conditional first-round pick and prospect Nikita Grebenkin to his former team; he has eight goals and 12 points in 43 games this year, down from previous seasons. Ekman-Larsson, 34, from Karlskrona, Sweden, signed with Toronto in 2024 after winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers and has eight goals, 27 assists and 35 points in 61 games, averaging 20:47 of ice time; his contract carries $3.5 million annually for two more years.
Laughton expressed a desire to stay with the team, telling reporters before Monday's game against the Flyers: "It's not up to us. It's out of our control, and everyone's in their own situation... It's a very humbling opportunity to play here, and it's a special place."
In related news, defenseman Chris Tanev, 36, underwent successful core muscle surgery in New York City on Wednesday and will miss the remainder of the season but is expected to be ready for September's training camp. Tanev, in the second year of a six-year, $27 million contract signed July 1, 2024, has two assists in 11 games this season after missing 23 games with a groin injury and earlier games due to an upper-body issue. Coach Craig Berube noted: "He wanted to try to come back and play this year, but it didn't work out... He'll be ready for camp next year."
The Edmonton Oilers showed interest in Ekman-Larsson but instead acquired Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.
