Insider Provides Latest Trade Talks Update On Flyers' Scott Laughton

Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Laughton has been the subject of trade rumors all season, and that is only picking up with the trade deadline one week away. Teams looking for help down the middle will surely make their pitches for the gritty center.

In his latest 32 Thoughts column, Elliotte Friedman provided an update on Laughton. According to the NHL insider, the 2012 first-round pick has made it clear that he wants to remain a Flyer, but Philadelphia could move if they get a first-round pick or top prospect.

It is no secret that contenders love players like Laughton. This is because he is a hard-nosed center who plays a steady two-way game and kills penalties. He also chips in offensively and has an affordable $3 million cap hit until the end of next season. Due to this, it certainly is possible that a contender out there could be willing to send a bigger trade package to the Flyers to land Laughton.

Laughton has appeared in 56 games this season with the Flyers, where he has 11 goals, 27 points, 31 blocks, and 116 hits. With numbers like these, he could give a contender's third line some nice secondary offensive production and grit.

It will be interesting to see what happens between the Flyers and Laughton from here, but all eyes should be on the veteran forward as we charge toward March 7.