Final Flyers’ Trade Deadline Predictions

The late night trade deadline action on Thursday/VERY early Friday morning did not disappoint.

The Islanders got a massive haul in return for Brock Nelson. They shipped their long-time center to Colorado in exchange for Calum Ritchie, a highly touted prospect, along a conditional 2026/27 first round pick, a conditional 2028 third, and Oliver Kylington (who they’ve already flipped to Anaheim).

For about an hour, that seemed like it would be the night’s biggest news. That would not last long.

While nothing has been finalized, it’s been reported that the framework for a Mikko Rantanen trade from Carolina to Dallas has been agreed upon. It is simply waiting for Rantanen to agree on an extension with Dallas before the trade is complete.

It’s believed that Logan Stankoven headlines the return for Carolina, but it will not stop there. If any team had the young, but also right-now talent to pull off this trade, the Stars were the most equipped to do so.

Before the late-night rush, it seemed as if the market had hit a stalemate, waiting on the trio of Nelson, Rantanen and Brad Marchand to all resolve their situations—whether that be a trade or officially staying put.

The Bruins are reportedly open to dealing their world-class rat, but only out west. If that is the case, the market for the Flyers’ Scott Laughton is back open.

With the NHL trade deadline at 3:00 p.m. EST today, here is my prediction as to what the Flyers will do.

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Flyers Final Trade Deadline Predictions

Flyers Trade F Scott Laughton and D Rasmus Ristolainen (50% retained) to Maple Leafs for Fraser Minten, 2026 First-Round Pick, 2027 Third-Round Pick

Rationale: I get the sense that the Flyers don’t want to trade either guy, but Rasmus Ristolainen more than Laughton.

The Maple Leafs have been interested in both players for a little while now. It will take some cap wizardry to get this done (maybe Howie Roseman can help). Toronto seems like they are starting to make space, especially after waiving F Ryan Reaves.

The Flyers have had a steep ask of a first-round pick or an equivalent prospect for both players. For Ristolainen, I believe the Flyers are looking at a first for him BEFORE retention, so it will cost a team more for the Flyers to retain salary.

With Toronto whiffing on Nelson, possibly Rantanen, and the odds against Boston trading Marchand to Toronto, the Leafs’ focus likely shifts back to Laughton and Brayden Schenn. It is unlikely that the Blues will trade their captain, which makes Laughton the most likely candidate.

I think the Flyers will capitalize on the seller’s market, and maximize their return by packing both trade chips together.

I predict that the Flyers get their prospect in Fraser Minten. I’m sure they’ll ask about Easton Cowan, but Toronto likely won’t budge. The Flyers will also get their picks in the trade, with a future first and third for getting the two players and 50% of Ristolainen’s deal retained.

Is that the Only Possibility?

If they were to package both players together, it would be Toronto or bust. However, there is definitely interest in each player individually.

For Scott Laughton, I can see a world where there is a fit in Winnipeg, along with Washington, Ottawa, and obviously Toronto.

Of the four, I still see Toronto as the likely landing spot, but Winnipeg could certainly make things interesting. They have a lot of intriguing prospects—more so than the Maple Leafs. Four of their top-five prospects are all 21-year-old or younger centers. Frankly, I’m shocked the Flyers haven’t been negotiating with them more.

Brad Lambert (21, AHL) is my favorite of the four, but he and Brayden Yager (19, WHL) are likely the most valuable.

Kieran Walton (18, OHL), my second favorite, is the youngest of the group. His size and point-scoring ability make him an intriguing option, along with Chaz Lucius (21, AHL).

Ultimately, I can see the Flyers being more inclined to pursue one of the first two guys, even if they have to send Laughton and a mid-round pick to acquire the prospect.

The other teams aside from Winnipeg and Toronto, I can see the Flyers looking just for a package of picks.

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The Ristolainen Trade Deadline Market is Harder to Predict

It’s harder to predict what Ristolainen’s market may be. Two teams I saw great fits made deals that likely take them out of the running for Ristolainen (EDM and Walman, DAL and possible Rantanen).

That said, I really see it coming down to just Detroit and Toronto. If it is looking at an individual trade, I don’t know if the Flyers will get their asking price. The demand just does not seem high enough at this point. If I had to predict right now, I believe Ristolainen stays put.

That doesn’t mean a market won’t materialize quickly, or that one of those teams won’t overpay, even if the market is small. However, with the fast-approaching market, I don’t see it happening.

Any Surprise Moves?

Well before the deadline, I suggested Garnet Hathaway could be a surprise trade candidate. He is obviously hurt and very unlikely to be dealt.

Only he made sense to me. However, as the market evolved, so did my thoughts.

It’s been reported that the Flyers and pending RFA Cam York have hit a stalemate on extension talks. Maybe a team could swoop in and offer an RFA swap. Or maybe York could be involved in a bigger deal. Overall, I see York as a big piece of the Flyers’ future, and don’t see him going anywhere. However, anyone not named Matvei Michkov is not safe, so you can’t rule anything out.

Staying with the defensemen, it seems like large, left-shot, lackluster-producing defensemen are getting massive overpays.

Egor Zamula fits that bill to a T. Like York, I don’t see why the Flyers would move off Zamula now. However, let’s say Ristolainen is in fact kept around—the Flyers could afford to send the big-framed Zamula out, and recoup assets for him. He is not going to go out and fetch you a first round pick or even a second. However, if the Flyers don’t see him as a long-term option, then why not capitalize on that overpay market right now?

Ryan Poehling could be another surprise option. I sort of see him as a diet Scott Laughton, who skates faster.

I mean, he kills penalties, he’s great at the dot, he plays a 200-foot game—he just doesn’t do it as well as Laughton. It would be outlandish to think that a contender who already spent big isn’t looking at Poehling as a cheap, versatile fourth-line upgrade, who would not be too expensive to trade for.

The trade deadline is today (Friday) at 3:00 p.m. EST. Will the Flyers make any moves?

Read More: NHL Trade Deadline: Teams Are Busy–What’s Holding up the Flyers?