Oilers Eyeing Forward Help-Could Scott Laughton Be the Answer Instead of McMann?
With the March 6 NHL trade deadline looming, the Edmonton Oilers are clearly in buyer mode-and for good reason. They’ve surged back into the contender conversation, and now the focus shifts to rounding out the roster for a deep playoff run.
One name that’s been making the rounds in connection to Edmonton is Toronto Maple Leafs winger Bobby McMann, a physical, energetic forward who fits the mold of a playoff-style contributor. But there’s another option gaining traction: veteran Scott Laughton.
While McMann has drawn plenty of attention as a top-nine target, former NHL goalie and current TSN analyst Martin Biron recently floated Laughton as a potentially better fit for the Oilers-and it’s not hard to see why.
Laughton, 31, is in the final year of a five-year, $15 million deal and carries a manageable $1.5 million cap hit. That’s a big plus for a cap-conscious team like Edmonton.
He’s also a pending UFA, which gives the Oilers flexibility beyond this season. With Adam Henrique sidelined due to injury and no clear timeline for return, Edmonton has a hole down the middle that needs addressing.
Laughton, a natural center who can also shift to the wing, checks a lot of boxes.
“He’s a guy that can slot into your third line, maybe even your fourth line once Henrique comes back,” Biron said during his TSN segment. “He’s not going to break the bank, and he brings exactly the kind of playoff-style game you want in your bottom six.”
That’s the key here. Laughton isn’t flashy, but he’s reliable, gritty, and playoff-tested.
Across 39 games with Toronto this season, he’s posted 11 points (eight goals, three assists). Not eye-popping numbers, but Laughton’s value goes beyond the stat sheet.
He’s a tenacious forechecker, a strong penalty killer, and a guy who thrives in the dirty areas of the ice. He’s hit double-digit goals in seven different seasons, so there’s enough offensive pop to complement his defensive work.
And while McMann might offer a bit more upside-especially given his age and physical ceiling-Laughton brings a level of versatility and experience that could prove invaluable come spring. He’s the type of player who can elevate his game when the lights get brighter, and that’s exactly the kind of depth piece that can swing a playoff series.
The Oilers have been linked to McMann for weeks, and there’s no doubt he’s a player of interest. But if the price tag climbs-especially with other contenders circling-Laughton could be a smart pivot. He offers a similar edge, more positional flexibility, and a cap-friendly contract that won’t force Edmonton to move mountains to make room.
With Oilers GM Stan Bowman and Leafs GM Brad Treliving reportedly engaged in ongoing talks, it feels like something is brewing between the two clubs. Whether it’s McMann, Laughton, or someone else entirely, Edmonton looks poised to add a piece that can help solidify their bottom six for the grind ahead.
And if that piece is Scott Laughton? It might not be the splashiest move of the deadline-but it could be one of the savviest.