Things are heating up ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline and Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Forward Laughton is among the top targets.
The Flyers have made it clear that they aren’t necessarily shopping Laughton but that doesn’t mean they aren’t actively listening on offers for the two-way centerman. The number of teams interested in the center continues to increase as the center market shrinks.
There are now as many as eight teams swirling around the Flyers with calls on Laughton, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported on Tuesday afternoon. He noted that Danny Briere is in no rush with the center market shrinking, adding that first-round picks are already in play and there could even be room for improvement as the week unfolds.
As many as 8 teams swirling around the Flyers with calls on Scott Laughton. The center market is shrinking so Briere is in no rush. 1st round picks are in play, but there could be room for improvement as the week unfolds.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 4, 2025
A first-round pick is what the reported price has been for Laughton for some time now. With one-quarter of the league involved, it’s looking more and more likely that the Flyers will find someone to pay their high price.
One of those teams may be the Toronto Maple Leafs as the two sides continue to talk trade before the deadline. Toronto and Philadelphia could end up putting together a bigger package if the Maple Leafs want to add an imposing protector like Rasmus Ristolainen.
Laughton, 30, is signed through the end of next season with a very reasonable $3 million cap hit. We’ve seen a few other forwards traded for second-round picks, most recently with the Oilers giving up second and fourth-rounders for a rental in Trent Frederic. Laughton’s term should be viewed as a positive thing in trade circles which leads many to believe that a first-round pick is not out of the question.
Additionally, Jake Evans signing a contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens should only increase Laughton’s value as the market for a depth center significantly shrinks.
Briere will have a few decisions to make ahead of Friday afternoon. Laughton is just one of a handful of Flyers who could be wearing a different sweater come the weekend.
