At least one Philadelphia Flyers trade possibility is now all but off the table ahead of the 2024 NHL trade deadline on Friday.
Flyers forward Scott Laughton, who was a popular name in NHL trade talk for a while, does not appear to be going anywhere.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared in his latest “32 Thoughts” column that “The price is high for Scott Laughton, creating doubt they really want to move him.”
Indeed, if the Flyers were going to move Laughton, they likely would have done so already, particularly around the time those trade talks picked up. Laughton is well-respected in the locker room and loved by his teammates, and trading him could potentially do more harm than good.
The Flyers have had to weigh the impact of trading Laughton against the potential consequences within the locker room. Young core players like Tyson Foerster, Cam York, and Sam Ersson would not be happy to see a teammate like Laughton jettisoned in the middle of a potential playoff run in favor of a draft pick, especially if the return is underwhelming as a whole.
Something else Friedman noted: “Something to keep an eye on: does Philadelphia add an inexpensive goalie or forward to boost themselves? I could see Daniel Briere and Keith Jones considering it, something to reward the players who’ve given their all. It would go over huge in the room.”
Adding a forward would be a big swing in the other direction from moving on Laughton, but the goalie suggestion makes more sense. Friedman did suggest that the Flyers would be in on former friend Martin Jones should he reach the NHL waiver wire. Felix Sandstrom performed well in his first start for the Flyers this season, but two things are not guaranteed: if he keeps it up, and how long he keeps it up if so.
Since Feb. 1, Laughton has five goals, seven assists, and a +15 plus-minus rating in 13 games. I’m certain the Flyers and the players will be more than happy to keep Laughton for the long haul here.
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