The Toronto Maple Leafs got some devastating news regarding one of their centers leading into the October 8 season opener in Montreal.
The club announced that fourth-line center Scott Laughton sustained a lower-body injury. The injury occurred during the Maple Leafs’ last preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings last Thursday.
The Maple Leafs placed Laughton on IR as week-to-week. That prognosis likely means the injury is serious enough to keep him sidelined for the first couple of weeks of the season.
It’s a tough break for Laughton. He’s rough start to his tenure with the Maple Leafs led to serious questions about the trade between Toronto and Philadelphia last deadline. The 31-year-old was hoping to have a strong start to this season.
Laughton will be back soon enough. He’ll need to make the most of his time back in the lineup as he’s on an expiring contract. Laughton will be a UFA at the end of this summer. Whether he remains in Toronto or signs elsewhere will depend on his ability to have a good season.
The former first-round pick from 2012 scored two goals and two assists in 20 regular-season games last season. He registered two assists in 13 playoff games while playing a solid defensive role in the bottom six.
Laughton Injury Could Open Door for Another Maple Leafs Bottom-6 Forward
The Toronto Maple Leafs placed veteran forward David Kampf on waivers on Friday as part of roster cuts leading to the start of the season. At the time of this writing, no team has claimed Kampf.
If he clears, he’ll be eligible to return to the Maple Leafs’ active roster now that Laughton is down with injury.
The Leafs could tap Kampf to fill in at the 4C role. Daily Faceoff has already projected Kampf taking over in that role. That situation could give Kampf a new lease on the NHL. Toronto doesn’t have another NHL-ready center who could step into the 4C role. That’s what makes Kampf’s availability crucial at this juncture.
Toronto Could Face Serious Trouble if Kampf Leaves
There’s always the possibility that someone claims David Kampf. A team like the Florida Panthers, who need center depth, could take a shot at claiming Kampf. If that’s the case, the Maple Leafs could face serious trouble.
Beyond Kamp, the Leafs don’t have an NHL-ready center to take over the 4C role. The situation could lead to someone like Michael Pezzetta stepping into the role. Also, the Leafs might give a prospect like Luke Haymes a look in that role.
While a hole at 4C may not seem like a big deal at the moment, it could end up becoming a noticeable gap for the club. The Leafs cannot afford to enter the season grasping at straws. The club needs a solid bottom-six, even if the fourth line plays less than 10 minutes at night.
Of course, it seems like Kampf will clear waivers. The good news is that by clearing waivers, the club will also be able to send him back down later on this season if it needs to.
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