Reports: Flyers weighing options with Scott Laughton, ‘could go to the wire’

It’s trade deadline day and the Philadelphia Flyers have yet to make a deal. Chuck Fletcher has a few pieces on the table, with none drawing more interest than forward Scott Laughton.

Scott Laughton has been the lone Flyers player on TSN’s Trade Bait List and is the main trade chip that Fletcher has to sell.

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This weekend, Elliotte Friedman reported that Laughton is “a target for a couple of teams.” Laughton wants to stay in Philadelphia, and the Flyers are more than willing to re-sign him, but they’re also listening to offers on the forward.

Flyers weighing sign vs. trade

Earlier Monday morning, Craig Custance had an update on the Laughton situation.

Scott Laughton drawing strong interest from contenders. Flyers still weighing whether to sign or trade him at this point.

— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) April 12, 2021

This tweet basically confirmed what we’ve been hearing around Laughton. Teams are interested but the Flyers also may re-sign him.

Flyers ‘could go to the wire’ with Laughton

At 12:30 p.m. ET, just two-and-a-half hours before the trade deadline, Pierre LeBrun tweeted an update on Laughton.

Flyers and Scott Laughton's camp still engaged in contract talks. Flyers also taking calls from teams on him. Could go to the wire.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 12, 2021

This seems like a situation where Chuck Fletcher and the Flyers have a price that they want to get for Laughton. Perhaps it is a first-round pick –– like the Blue Jackets got for Nick Foligno –– or a second-round pick plus a player. If a team doesn’t meet their asking price, they’d be perfectly fine with re-signing Laughton.

The trade deadline is quickly approaching this afternoon. There are less than three hours to the deadline and there haven’t really been any major moves made on Monday after a busy Sunday night.

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It’s not surprising that the Laughton situation could go to the wire, as LeBrun reported. Fletcher and the Flyers should wait until the last possible moment just in case a buyer comes calling after missing out on a bigger piece.

Photo: Heather Barry Images