Flyers Rumors: Briere Taking Calls On Veteran Forward

As deals get made as we approach the trade deadline in just over a month's time, new needs will arise, both on the market and within teams. With the top previously available center off the market with the trade of Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks, teams are starting to reevaluate the trade interest that might exist on their own men in the middle. 

The first example of this is the Philadelphia Flyers, who, according to TSN's hockey insider Darren Dreger, are now taking calls on longtime center Scott Laughton. 

The Center market is relatively thin. Hence, the @NHLFlyers are taking calls on Scott Laughton. They’re not eager to trade him but Danny Briere is gauging the interest.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 1, 2024

Dreger says that Flyers GM Danny Briere is "not eager to trade him," but is certainly gauging the interest, given the paucity of pivots on the grapevine. The Montreal Canadiens' Sean Monahan and the Anaheim Ducks' Adam Henrique are really the only other two of any impact available. 

The 28-year-old Laughton isn't in the same class as those two, but is more of a solid depth player who can bring some physicality to the ice, as he regularly delivers close to 150 hits a season. The middle- to bottom-six pivot has been a Flyer for 11 years since they made him a late first-round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft. 

Laughton has 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points in 50 games this year, while averaging 15:19 time on ice per night. Last season, he posted double-digit goals (11) for the fifth time in six years, while also averaging a career-high 18:17 of ice time. 

In 569 career games, Laughton has 87 goals, 132 assists and 219 points. 

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