It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re in the middle of the Four Nations Faceoff break, but that doesn’t mean the rumour mill has gone dark. General managers have already made some big deals in the last couple of months. However, things could really pick up before the March 7 deadline. One team that’s already made a move is the Philadelphia Flyers. However, this edition of NHL rumours looks into the possibility that they may not be done.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Philadelphia Flyers Centre Could be in Demand at the Trade Deadline
Rumour: Anthony Di Marco of The Daily Faceoff discussed what the Flyers may do with centre Scott Laughton at the deadline. Di Marco said both sides know what’s going on regarding his future in Philadelphia.
Analysis: Trade chatter usually picks up during international breaks and this is no exception. We haven’t seen any moves during the break, but business could pick up once the tournament wraps up.
Laughton seems to be a player that many teams are coveting at the upcoming deadline. Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere has already been active in trading off assets prior to the deadline. He’s already dealt Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee to the Calgary Flames recently and the team may not be done.
Briere realizes that the Flyers might be sellers and Laughton could net them a big haul. The 30-year-old pivot has a lot of qualities that contending teams are seeking. Philadelphia has the leverage with any team that wants Laughton at the deadline.
Centres like Laughton are few and far between at this trade deadline. A deal probably needs to get done sooner rather than later according to Di Marco.
What It Means
Di Marco mentions that both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets are teams that have shown interest in Laughton. Both teams would love to strengthen their respective lineups down the middle.
It wouldn’t be the first time that the Maple Leafs have tried to add centre depth. Toronto did previously trade for Ryan O’Reilly and they’ve been looking at bolstering centre depth for the longest time. The pressure is on the Maple Leafs to advance past the first round for the first time in three seasons. Adding someone like Laughton could give them some much-needed help for the post-season.
However, the Leafs have less than three million in cap space. Acquiring Laughton would require general manager Brad Treliving to get creative in fitting his $3 million cap hit under the cap. Could someone like Frasen Minten be in play to make the deal happen?
Winnipeg would love to add Laughton, but Di Marco points out getting him would be more of a need than Toronto. Adam Lowry has been out with injury and the Jets have been using Vladislav Namestnikov and Rasmus Kupari to hold down the spot. The drop off after Mark Scheifele is pretty pronounced.
Winnipeg does have first-round picks in the 2025 and 2026 NHL Drafts. This could be something that the Flyers target if they want to swing a deal according to Di Marco.
Main photo by: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The post NHL Rumours: Philadelphia Flyers Centre Drawing Interest appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.