NHL Trade Talk: Scott Laughton added to TSN’s Trade Bait List as Flyers spiral

The Philadelphia Flyers’ miserable month of March is over, but that’s only because the calendar has flipped to April. After hitting rock bottom in an embarrassing loss to the Sabres, the Flyers are looking more and more like sellers as the trade deadline approaches.

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The Flyers don’t have many pieces that they can sell off, but one of their forwards was added to TSN’s Trade Bait List on Wednesday.

Scott Laughton was added at No. 16 by Frank Seravalli, which isn’t an insignificant slot for the forward.

“The Flyers also have a decision to make with Laughton. The pending UFA is due for a raise, on pace for his second straight 45-point season over 82 games and he plays his role to perfection as a feisty, 200-foot player. If the Flyers fall further out of the playoff mix, GM Chuck Fletcher may have to consider moving him.”

Laughton, 26, is one of the few Flyers pending free agents that could bring some sort of value back in a trade.

The former first-round pick carved out a niche for himself in the bottom six over the past few years. He also showed that he can play on the second line if needed. Laughton is a two-way player that can kill penalties and is tough to play against. If a team is looking to add some forward depth heading into the playoffs, Laughton definitely wouldn’t be a bad addition.

There is an added benefit to Laughton in that he can play both at center and wing. He has swapped back and forth this season with the Flyers.

Laughton has 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 32 games this season. He had 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in just 49 games last year. The forward has a cap hit of $2.3 million and his contract expires after this season.

Scott Laughton is one of the names that Fletcher will likely receive calls about if the Flyers are sellers.

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With prospects in the AHL, there are reinforcements that can fill in if Laughton (or others) are traded. That becomes even more true if the Flyers continue to fall out of the playoff picture. If the Flyers aren’t going to contend, they might as well give some NHL time to some prospects. Tanner Laczynski and Wade Allison are two of the main names to watch, among others.

We’re now into April with the NHL trade deadline on April 12th. The Flyers have six games left to prove that they are buyers –– or for players to increase their value if Fletcher sells.

Photo: Heather Barry Images