The Toronto Maple Leafs head into the final days of training camp with some tough injury news. Fourth-line center Scott Laughton will miss the beginning of the season and be out indefinitely, labeled for now as week-to-week.
Laughton was clearly in pain after blocking a shot in Thursday night’s exhibition game against the Detroit Red Wings.
The injury is a tough break for Laughton, who was hoping to redeem himself with his hometown team this season. He came over at the trade deadline from the Philadelphia Flyers, and didn’t really impress much in his 20 regular-season and 13 playoff games. He recorded a total of six points in those 33 contests.
Everything seemed to be clicking, however, during the preseason, as he had developed a nice chemistry with linemates Steven Lorentz and rookie Easton Cowan. They were expected to provide a nice boost in the Leafs’ bottom-six.
David Kampf hits the waiver wire
David Kampf seemed to be getting a reprieve when he filled in for Laughton at practice on Friday. He has essentially been on the trade block all offseason, and on the outside looking in during camp. But that lasted only a few hours. Kampf has now been placed on waivers.
It’s unlikely that the eight-year veteran will be claimed, given his $2.4 million cap hit for two more years. Kampf had just five goals and eight assists in 59 games last season, and only suited up for one of the Leafs’ 13 playoff games.
Nick Robertson returns to Leafs’ lineup for final exhibition game
What does this all mean for the Maple Leafs’ lineup as they prepare for the season opener next week? For starters, it’s now Nick Robertson who gets the reprieve. As reported by Jonas Siegel of The Athletic, the oft-forgotten young sniper will get a chance to show his wares with a return to the lineup for the final preseason tuneup, in Detroit, on the weekend.
Robertson has had a tough go of it in his five years in the Toronto organization. As a restricted free agent in the summer of 2024, he asked for a trade, but eventually signed a one-year deal for 2024-25. He was once again frustrated by limited opportunities, but still managed 15 goals in 69 games, playing 12 minutes a night. He got into only three playoff games, but managed two points.
Will this finally be the opening that Robertson will take advantage of?
The dominoes are starting to fall in Leaf Land, and the opening night roster could be coming more clearly into focus.
