Scott Laughton Shows the Maple Leafs What It Means to Care
It hasn’t been the smoothest start to the season for Scott Laughton. Between a lower-body injury that sidelined him for the first 13 games and a brief stint on the shelf in November, you might have forgiven someone for losing a step. But if anything, Laughton has turned adversity into a kind of power for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’s showing that no matter where he slots in the lineup, he’s here to make a difference.
Since Coming Back from His Injury, Laughton Has Done Things Right.
Since returning, Laughton’s game has been a master of doing the little things right. He’s got eight goals and two assists in 33 games, sure, but the numbers only tell part of the story. He’s contributed 40 shots on goal, 58 hits, 25 blocked shots, and carries a plus-1 rating, mostly while anchoring the fourth line. That’s not glamorous, but it’s exactly the kind of work that stabilizes a team. Laughton doesn’t just show up; he plays with purpose every shift.
What’s remarkable is how he’s done it in bursts. He’s scored three goals in his last five games, including a shorthanded strike against the Philadelphia Flyers and a pair of back-to-back games where he helped keep the Maple Leafs competitive. His ice time has been limited—just 9:28 in one recent outing—yet his intensity never wavers. However, Laughton’s intensity never wavers. He’s the kind of player who shows up when the puck drops, regardless of how long he’s on the ice.
It’s Hard to Measure Heart, But It’s Clear to See That Laughton Has It.
Beyond stats, Laughton brings something harder to measure: heart. He doesn’t take plays off. He competes in corners, clears the crease, and makes the fourth line matter. He’s a stabilizing presence, a defensive anchor, and someone who keeps the bench calm when momentum swings. That attitude is infectious, and it sets the tone for the younger players and the roster as a whole.
It’s easy to overlook players like Laughton because they don’t lead the league in points. That said, this season he’s proven exactly why he’s worth the roster spot. He’s competitive, he’s committed, and he shows every day what playing hard really looks like. For a team chasing the playoffs and hoping to go deep, having someone like Laughton is priceless. He’s not just filling a role—he’s showing everyone in blue and white how much it matters to care. And for the Maple Leafs, that kind of player can make all the difference.