It appears Scott Laughton’s name is once again swirling in the NHL trade rumor mill. Flyers GM Daniel Briere is reportedly fielding calls about the versatile forward, as teams look to add some scoring punch and grit to their lineups. This isn’t entirely surprising, as rumors circulated around the 2024 NHL trade deadline that Briere was gauging interest in Laughton. But with the Flyers seemingly committed to a youth movement, could a deal finally be on the horizon?
Laughton, a former first-round pick (20th overall in 2012), has carved out a solid NHL career. He’s a reliable two-way player who can contribute offensively, kill penalties, and isn’t afraid to throw his weight around. Essentially, he’s the kind of player that any contending team would love to have in their bottom six.
What Would a Scott Laughton Trade Cost?
The price tag for Laughton, who carries a reasonable $3 million cap hit for this season and next, appears to be steep. According to insider Darren Dreger, Briere is looking for a significant return, potentially a high draft pick, a top prospect, or an established NHL player. This makes sense from the Flyers’ perspective. They’re not actively shopping Laughton, and if they move him, they want to ensure they’re getting future assets that align with their rebuilding plan.
My Take: While Laughton is a valuable player, I think Briere’s asking price is a bit high. Teams are always hesitant to give up premium assets for a bottom-six forward, even one with Laughton’s versatility. It’ll be interesting to see if Briere is willing to lower his demands as the season progresses and the trade deadline approaches. If he does, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Laughton on the move.
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