PhHN Daily: Flyers Trade Deadline Talk; Emotion on Long Island & More

The NHL trade deadline is getting closer and closer each minute. Last night’s tough loss may indicate that the Flyers are not as deep into the playoff hunt as they think, and it might be time to make some tough decisions before the March 7th deadline (3:00 p.m. EST).

Today’s edition of the Philly Hockey Now Daily includes an update on both Flyers trade chips, a Metropolitan extension, and some more trade talk from around the NHL.

Read More: Flyers Report Card: Don’t Let the Scoreboard Fool You

Flyers News

Laughton Trade Deadline Market Heating Up

We are now just over two days away from the March 7th NHL trade deadline.

Scott Laughton is still a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, but for how much longer? With two players in the same market as Laughton getting taken off the board, Laughton quickly became one of the hottest names available.

Teams like Winnipeg and Toronto have noted interest in Laughton. Still, a Darren Dreger report came out yesterday saying that about eight teams are or have been circling around Laughton. I imagine that includes Ottawa, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Washington, and the previously mentioned teams.

It is now the Wednesday before the trade deadline, and the Flyers are off. Today might just be the day the first trade takes place at the deadline for the Flyers.

Read More: Trade Deadline Update: Two Laughton Competitors Off the Board

Still Quiet on the Ristolainen Near the Trade Deadline

Rasmus Ristolainen might be the Flyers’ best bargaining chip if they are willing to retain some of his contract.

Obviously, if you’re even considering trading your best defensive defenseman, it is to clear his contract. I mean, without Ristolainen, the Flyers lack real size at the blueline. The trade has to be worth it. Retention is not particularly ideal, but the teams in the market for a defenseman like Ristolainen don’t have much cap flexibility, so retention would have to be likely.

There was some thought that once the Seth Jones situation in Chicago was settled, teams that missed out on him would pivot and try to grab Ristolainen at a lesser cost. Jones was traded this past Saturday, and chatter around Ristolainen has remained quiet.

Anthony Di Marco of the Daily Faceoff reported that the Flyers would be willing to retain 50% of Ristolainen’s contract. However, it would come at a steep cost. That does not even start with the fact that the Flyers would be asking for a first for the 6’4″ defenseman.

Maybe the Flyers’ steep asking price is why his market has gone quiet. Perhaps the Flyers would prefer to keep him around, and are just trying to see how much of an overpay they can get. I mean, Tortorella surely sounded like he does not want to move him.

Tampa Bay and Detroit have been linked to Ristolainen for a while, but I would not rule out Toronto or even LA if they really are in “win-now” mode.

Read More: Trade Deadline Update: What do Saturday’s Trades Mean for the Flyers

Trade Deadline Talk Around the NHL

Columbus Blue Jackets

This morning, the Blue Jackets extended F Matheiu Oliver.

It’s not crazy news. Oliver was not expected to be on the trade market, especially with the team currently in a playoff spot. However, it’s like Montreal’s approach with Jake Evans. If they could not agree on an extension, maybe he could have been traded to recoup assets before losing the player to free agency.

It was expected for a few days now that Oliver would get his extension before the trade deadline. Now, it is official. The Columbus forward inked a six-year, $3 million AAV contract.

New York Islanders

Last night was an emotional one for players and fans alike on Long Island.

The Islander’s win vs. Winnipeg might have marked the last game in an Islanders sweater for long-time center Brock Nelson. With the NHL trade deadline getting closer, Nelson’s name remains at the top.

Neslos delivered what looked like a tough, emotional post-game interview last night, in what very well could have been his last game at UBS Arena.

Read More: Islanders Room: Full of Emotions & Uncertainty

Seattle Kraken

The firesale in Seattle seems poised to take place at any moment.

The Kraken did not follow the expansion team success of the Vegas Golden Knights. They have struggled mightily, and are now fighting for a top-five draft selection, if not higher.

Earlier in the season, Seattle allegedly put Jared McCann on the trade market. Now, Dave Pagnotta of The 4th Period Reports that F Brandon Tanev is likely on the move, and that center Yanni Gourde is beginning to draw interest.

I don’t think Gorude and Tanev will compete for a higher return/league value than Laughton, but the firesale in Seattle may be worth keeping an eye on as the trade deadline looms.

Read More: PhHN Daily: Flyers RFA Update; Laughton Notes; Chatter Around the NHL