Veteran forward Scott Laughton is open to re-signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs as he gets closer to hitting unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career this summer.

“I could see myself being here long-term,” Laughton told The Athletic in a story posted Tuesday.

Laughton opted to sign a five-year, $15 million deal with the Philadelphia Flyers three months before hitting free agency in 2021, a deal that is now coming to an end. He was flipped to the Maple Leafs ahead of the trade deadline last year, with Philadelphia retaining half of his $3 million cap hit in a deal to acquire forward Nikita Grebenkin and a 2027 first-round pick.

The 31-year-old centre posted two goals and four points in 20 games upon joining the Maple Leafs last season, adding two assists in 13 games during the playoffs.

He has made a more significant impact this season, posting eight goals and 10 points in 34 games and leading all forwards with an average of 2:13 of ice time shorthanded per game. That number stands out more when compared to Laughton’s 13:45 of total average ice time per game.

While the Oakville, Ont. native can see a future with the Maple Leafs, it remains unclear what direction the franchise will take as the team remains at risk of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Entering a crucial game Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto has a 24-19-9 record to sit six points back of the Boston Bruins for the final wild-card spot with one game in hand.

For his part, Laughton, who believes he has “a ton of good years left,” said he believes the Maple Leafs remain a contender.

“I believe in this team to win. That’s a big part of it at this point in my career,” Laughton explained. “I’ve fallen in love with the guys, too. There’s a lot of guys who care here. It’s been special for me this year.”

Tuesday’s game will mark the first of five games the Maple Leafs have left before the Olympic break. After that, Toronto will have six games before the March 6 trade deadline when play resumes on Feb. 25.

In addition to Laughton, forwards Bobby McMann and Calle Jarnkrok are all also slated for unrestricted free agency this summer, along with defenceman Troy Stecher.