Kyle Garcia 
With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Scott Laughton!
Scott Laughton
Birthdate: May 30, 1994
Birthplace: Oakville, Ontario
Height: 6’1
Weight: 190 lbs
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Draft: 1st round, 20th overall, 2012 NHL Draft
2025-26 season
Scott Laughton started the season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and produced 12 points in 43 games while winning 56.7% of his faceoffs and averaging 13:40 of ice time on a struggling Maple Leafs team.
We have acquired forward Scott Laughton from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a conditional third round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft!
📲 https://t.co/fB9jCh5B90@Enterprise | #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/qNGVj99q2w
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 6, 2026
Acquired by the Kings as a late trade deadline acquisition, Laughton had no problem fitting in and embracing his role. Laughton was used as a defensive 3C to fill in the void that was left at that position when Phillip Danault was traded to the Montreal Canadiens three months prior (December). According to Natural Stat Trick, Laughton had 75 defensive zone starts and 138 defensive faceoffs at 5v5.
Liking this guy a-Laughton pic.twitter.com/UX3Hq2Vr6Z
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 9, 2026
Laughton’s arrival gave the Kings some stability at the center position and produced eight points in 21 games. In four playoff games, Laughton was held off the scoresheet, averaged 16:27 of ice time, and his faceoff percentage dipped to 43.9% as the Colorado Avalanche swept the Kings.
SCOTT LAUGHTON pic.twitter.com/jlV6sgFvjh
— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 3, 2026
2026-27 outlook
I was extremely hesitant to the idea of the Kings bringing. Even with the salary cap rising, the need for a center apparent, and the free agency market for centers being robust, it felt the Kings would overpay to keep Laughton’s services.
Ultimately, the Kings and Laughton were able to come to terms on a three-year contract with a cap hit of $3,500,000. It was a job well done by Holland, and the contract shouldn’t be a bad one either. I don’t expect Laughton to be an offensive machine and repeat his high metrics in his small sample size as a King (54.5 xGF%, 53.1 SCF%, 57.1 HDCF%, per NST). I expect him to be used in defensive responsibilities at 5v5 and on the penalty kill while being a serviceable 3C.
My only concern would be with the Kings not having a second top-six center; Laughton or newcomer Erik Haula could be thrust into a second-line center role, which isn’t a role either player is carved out for.
Featured image credit: Kelly Smiley/NHLI via Getty Images