Right before the buzzer for the finish line for the trade deadline earlier this month in this past couple of weeks in the West, the Los Angeles Kings and new general manager Ken Holland made a final move for the active roster lineup to get more depth and veteran proven experience at the center position.
Scott Laughton turning heads right away for the Los Angeles Kings this regular season
Holland and the Kings made a trade deal on the block and at the trade deadline this past week in the West in the Pacific Division to get veteran two-way center Scott Laughton from the Toronto Maple Leafs for the active roster lineup. The Kings got Laughton on the trade block and at the trade deadline for a return of a conditional third-round draft pick.
While he's still new to the active roster lineup offensively with the forward lines group core for the Kings in the West in the Pacific Division this regular season this month in early-to-mid March in the past week or so, Laughton has filled a big roster need for new interim head coach DJ Smith and his coaching staff in the zone.
Laughton became just the second player in Kings' franchise history in the past decade and a half in the 2010s and 2020s decades to score at least one goal and three total points in the first couple of games with LA. In just three games played with the Kings in the West this regular season and since the trade deadline this past week, Laughton has already scored over 25 percent the number of goals and total points he had with the Maple Leafs in the East.
"He’s a hockey player. He’s been around a long time. He understands how to play winning hockey and he can do the little things to help you. I think he’s fit in really nice."DJ Smith on Scott Laughton
Laughton registered an assist on the first career goal in the league in the NHL this regular season for the Kings scored by winger Jared Wright vs. the Montreal Canadiens this past week on home ice for the team.
In the last few games in the West for the Kings in this past couple of weeks, Laughton has helped the third-line for Smith and the LA coaching staff score multiple goals in the zone and pick up valuable points in the standings this regular season in the Pacific Division and since the trade deadline last week.
"A lot of energy. Chatting out there, getting in on faceoffs. He just does everything right."Trevor Moore on Laughton
Laughton has helped the Kings get a boost in the standings in the West in the Pacific Division this regular season for this upcoming spring in the postseason. The Kings are firmly within striking distance of a playoff spot this upcoming postseason in the West in the Pacific Division this month in mid-March.
I'd have to imagine that Holland, Smith, and the Kings are continuing to get a lot of value out of this under-the-radar trade deadline move on the block this regular season in the West if Laughton can play up to this level offensively on the ice for this upcoming couple of months this spring for the team. The Kings' third line forward core group this regular season has scored goals in two out of the past three games, including a couple of goals vs. the Canadiens last weekend.