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Maple Leafs just earned an extra return from the Scott Laughton trade to Kings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Toronto Maple Leafs always seemed likely to trade Scott Laughton before the NHL's March 6 trade deadline.
It made too much sense not to. He's in the final year of his contract, so why lose him for nothing when the Leafs were set to commence a quick rebuild?
They got the deal done, sending him to the Los Angeles Kings.
At the time, the trade was reported as Laughton for a conditional third-round pick, but that condition has now come into play.
If the Kings made the playoffs, the pick would become a second-rounder.
The Kings have clinched a playoff spot, so the Leafs now got a second-round pick in return for Laughton, rather than a third.
MORE: Red Wings take over Sabres' depressing playoff status
It's a nice little boost for a Toronto team that didn't expect to have a season this bad but will now appreciate the extra little chance to build for the future.
The Kings probably aren't too worried. Laughton, a strong locker room presence, helped them get over the line and into the postseason.
He has played 19 games since joining the Kings and has scored five goals while dishing out three assists.
Laughton is never going to be a flashy player, but he's the kind of bottom-six center who can help a team win in the postseason.
Toronto wasn't going to take advantage of that this season, but the Kings are grateful to have Laughton, while the Maple Leafs are surely appreciative of a slight shift up the draft order.
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