Latest Intel on Scott Laughton Trade Talk — 3 Teams Interested - NHL Trade Rumors

Once again this season, center Scott Laughton is on trade boards all over the NHL. Centers are in high demand, so teams are asking the Philadelphia Flyers about the 12-year veteran.

But in what might be a repeat of last season, it sounds like the Flyers don't want to trade the feisty veteran team leader, per Kevin Kurz in The Athletic.

I still don’t see this happening. And it was strongly suggested to me by a team source recently that the Flyers don’t have much interest in moving their alternate captain, who has 12 points in his last 12 games and has lately worked himself up the lineup.

It's become apparent that the Flyers would demand a first round pick in any return. Just unloading the 30-year-old for a lower-level draft pick or two wasn't going to convince GM Daniel Briere last season, and it likely won't again this year. "Briere pointed to (Laughton's) importance to the team culture as the primary reason they weren’t interested in simply unloading him," writes Kurz.

But if they do change their mind...

Insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period has listed three teams as having interest in trading for Laughton if he becomes available.

Los Angeles Kings
Tampa Bay Lightning
Toronto Maple Leafs

It was only recently that Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff noted that the Kings were engaged in trade talks with the Flyers, and Laughton's name was one of those that came up.

Laughton fits the mold of the type of forward the Lightning are interested in, bringing grit (on pace to blow past his usual season average of 150 hits this year), and a little bit of secondary scoring.

The Leafs, of course, have been on the hunt for a third-line center (or better) for much of the season, and Laughton could fill that role, while bringing the type of two-way, physical play that head coach Craig Berube values. He also has another year remaining on his $3M AAV contract, which is attractive for Toronto.

But in the end, it will take a big offer to pry Laughton loose from Philly. As Kurz says, "I can pretty much guarantee that the other Flyers in the dressing room wouldn’t see the value in them unloading Laughton for, say, a pair of second-round picks, or even a late first-rounder. Unless he’s involved in a deal for that elusive top-line center they’re looking for, don’t expect Laughton to go anywhere."