Leafs’ Playoff Hopes Get a Draft-Day Boost
A late Monday night win by the Los Angeles Kings against the Seattle Kraken provided a small, but significant, benefit to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Kings’ victory clinched a playoff berth for Los Angeles, and, crucially, triggered a condition in a previous trade with Toronto.
The Laughton Trade and the Draft Pick
Back in March, the Leafs traded centre Scott Laughton to the Kings. As part of the deal, Toronto received a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft. However, that pick was contingent on the Kings making the playoffs – if they qualified for the Stanley Cup tournament, the pick would upgrade to a second-round selection.
The Kings’ 5-3 win over the Kraken converted that third-round pick into a second-round pick, adding value to the return for Toronto in the Laughton trade. The pick originally belonged to the Buffalo Sabres before being acquired by Los Angeles.
Laughton’s Impact in LA
Scott Laughton has settled in well with the Kings, recording eight points (five goals and three assists) in 14 games since the trade. He had eight goals and four assists in 43 games with the Leafs this season.
The Draft Pick Landscape for Toronto
Beyond the boosted draft pick, the Leafs’ own draft position remains a key storyline. The team’s current losing streak and overall standing in the NHL standings are critical, as a bottom-five finish would guarantee a chance at a top-five pick in the upcoming draft.
What’s at Stake?
A loss to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday would preserve the Leafs in 28th place overall. The Kraken’s remaining two games – against Vegas and Colorado – also factor into the equation. If Seattle gains even one point, it could impact Toronto’s draft position.
The worst-case scenario for some Leafs fans would be a win against Ottawa combined with the Kraken losing both their remaining games. This would lift Toronto out of the bottom five and potentially send their first-round pick to the Boston Bruins, as part of the trade that brought Brandon Carlo and Fraser Minten to Toronto.
Leafs Transactions
The Leafs have recalled goalie Dennis Hildeby and assigned Artur Akhtyamov to the Toronto Marlies. Toronto also announced the signing of forward Landon Sim to a two-year entry-level contract starting in the 2026-27 season.
Sim, a 21-year-old from New Glasgow, N.S., had three goals and 31 penalty minutes in 13 games with the Marlies and six points in 18 games with Cincinnati of the ECHL. He was a teammate of Easton Cowan with the London Knights.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What did the Leafs get in the Laughton trade? The Leafs received a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft, which has now been upgraded to a second-round pick.
- How did the Kings’ win affect the Leafs? The Kings’ playoff berth triggered the upgrade of the draft pick acquired by Toronto.
- What is at stake for the Leafs regarding their own draft pick? The Leafs’ draft position is crucial, as a top-five finish would allow them to draft a potentially impactful player.
For more updates and insights on the Maple Leafs, follow Terry Koshan at [email protected] and on X: @koshtorontosun.
