Scott Laughton Joins LA Kings, Reunites with Coach D.J. Smith

Veteran forward looks to help Kings make playoff push in final stretch of season

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Scott Laughton, a pending unrestricted free agent, was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Los Angeles Kings in a whirlwind 24 hours. Laughton, who previously played under Kings interim head coach D.J. Smith in the OHL, is excited to reunite with his former coach and contribute to the Kings' playoff push in the final six weeks of the regular season.

Why it matters

Laughton is a veteran forward with a reputation as a 'heart and soul' player who can contribute in a variety of ways. His addition to the Kings' lineup could provide a boost as the team looks to secure a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference.

The details

Laughton was held out of the Maple Leafs' lineup for two games due to 'roster management' reasons before being traded to the Kings just before the deadline. He quickly made his way to Los Angeles, arriving late on Friday night ahead of his Kings debut on Saturday. Laughton scored a goal in his first game with the Kings, becoming the first player acquired via trade with NHL experience to score in his first game with the team.

  • Laughton was held out of the Maple Leafs' lineup for two games prior to the trade deadline.
  • The trade to the Kings was finalized around 4:30 PM Eastern on the day of the deadline.
  • Laughton arrived in Los Angeles late on Friday night and made his Kings debut on Saturday afternoon.

The players

Scott Laughton

A veteran forward who was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline. Laughton previously played under Kings interim head coach D.J. Smith in the OHL and is excited to reunite with him in the NHL.

D.J. Smith

The interim head coach of the Los Angeles Kings. Smith previously coached Laughton when he was coming up through the OHL with the Oshawa Generals, where Laughton had two strong seasons under Smith's direction.

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What they’re saying

“I'm very excited, I think he did a lot for my career early on, I played for him at Worlds a couple years ago, so the relationship's been there for about 15 years. He did a lot for me as a junior player, I think he's a great coach. He gets a lot out of you. He's very vocal and knows the game and cares about his players, so I'm super excited to play for him.”

— Scott Laughton (lakingsinsider.com)

“He's a heart and soul guy. He got to the NHL real early and I think he's got a little more offensive touch than some people have given him credit for. Really competitive, faceoff guy, but I think he can also make some plays for us too.”

— D.J. Smith, Interim Head Coach, Los Angeles Kings (lakingsinsider.com)

What’s next

The Kings and Laughton will look to build on his strong debut as they hit the road for a five-game trip, beginning with back-to-back games against Columbus and Boston.

The takeaway

Laughton's addition to the Kings' lineup provides a veteran presence and versatile skill set that could be crucial as the team pushes for a playoff spot in the final stretch of the season. His familiarity with head coach D.J. Smith should also help him integrate quickly and contribute to the team's success.