Could Scott Laughton Actually be on the Move?

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Scott Laughton is generating trade interest as the trade deadline draws closer.

The Flyers have found themselves in this position several times. Laughton has consistently been a player with his name swirling around the rumor mill, yet nothing has come from the rumors. The Flyers have been weary of trading their 30-year-old forward, and rightfully so.

Laughton is and has been a tremendous leader with the Flyers–he is an alternate captain for a reason. He contributes on the ice, in the locker room, and the Philadelphia community. Yet, looking at his numbers and some of the alleged trade offers the Flyers have received for Laughton, you wonder why he hasn’t been dealt already?

In 53 games this year, Laughton has 10 goals and 15 assists (25P) and is on pace for 38 points this season. It comes after a 39-point year for Laughton in 2023/24 and two years removed from his career-high 43 points in 2022/23.

Anthony Di Marco of the Daily Faceoff reported that trade talks began heating up around Laughton on Saturday. He mentions that a handful of teams are in the mix. The report said the Winnipeg Jets and Laughton’s hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, have shown the most interest.

Di Marco’s report got me thinking…

If the Flyers trade Scott Laughton, it is not a knock on his leadership skills. At 30, he is one of the older players on a very young rebuilding Flyers team.

If one message were evident from the Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost trade, Daniel Briere is not afraid to make the difficult trade. Frost and Farabee were well-liked guys in the locker room and the fanbase. Yet, when the right offer came about, Briere did not shy away from pulling the trigger.

Briere had almost seemed hesitant to make a direction-defining move like that in the past. His last trade leads me to believe that things may be different this time around regarding Laughton.

In January, Elliote Friedman talked about Laughton and the initial trade market on his podcast, 32 Thoughts. He briefly mentioned that he believed Briere’s asking price for Laughton is a first-round pick.

The short and simple answer: yes, Briere can get a first for Laughton.

Here is why I believe he can. There are teams desperate to win and in need of bottom-six grinders to make lineups more complete. There is a market for guys like Laughton. He is a grinder–he will never not play hard. He can play on the wing or at center, he’s an excellent penalty-killer, and even has some time on the Flyers’ power play. The veteran forward is a “do it all” type of guy with great leadership skills.

Contending teams could and should be lining up to take a swing at a trade for Laughton. While he may not be a name that drives ticket sales up, he does all of the little things right, and teams in need should eventually meet or come near Briere’s asking price.

That said, Briere will have to be patient. But much like last year’s Sean Walker trade, if he plays his cards right Briere will be able to get a first-round pick, or en equal value for Laughton.

The NHL trade deadline is March 7th at 3:00 P.M. EST. Expect Briere to remain active as he looks to turn things around in Philly.