Flyers Rumors Intensify with Key Players Drawing Trade Interest

According to reports, two of the Flyers’ most coveted assets around the NHL, center Scott Laughton and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, are beginning to draw significant trade interest.

In TSN’s latest episode of “Insider Trading”, NHL insider Darren Dreger shared the latest Flyers rumors going around, touching on Laughton and Ristolainen in the process.

“Danny Briere is one of the more active GMs and he’s taken a lot of calls,” Dreger revealed. “There’s a ton of interest, as we know, in veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. He’s a top-4 D and he’s got a couple of years after this year in term. That also checks a box in his favor.”

Term had previously been reported to be the one obstacle in moving Ristolainen, given that he is carrying a $5.1 million cap hit. Perhaps the 30-year-old has played so well that the opinions of other teams have dramatically changed in the last few weeks?

Flyers could also trade Scott Laughton

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Laughton, the well-respected leader, could also be dealt by the Flyers. This has been a rumor for years, but nothing has come of it. Could this be the year the Flyers decide to turn an eye towards the future and get younger?

“Here’s another name that’s been out there on-and-off over the last couple of years, but back on, and not that Philadelphia wants to get rid of him,” Dreger continued. “But Scott Laughton is a centerman that is drawing a crowd. Lots of interest in him, but again, not eager to move him. So, if they have to listen closer to the deadline, it’s going to take a premium draft pick or, likely, a top young prospect or NHL player.”

Adding another top draft pick to the already stocked cupboard would create an interesting dynamic for the Flyers. A first-round pick or second-round pick would give them four in those respective rounds in 2025, and with the team gasping for air in the offensive zone, it would be increasingly likely the Flyers flip those picks for an NHL-ready player, likely at the center position.

Moving Laughton, of course, means that things will get worse before they get better down the middle of the ice.

Ristolainen could be more of a victim of the numbers game, with young defensemen like Emil Andrae and Helge Grans impressing in limited action.

If the Flyers want to rebuild properly, they need to find out what they have in those players and see if they would be reason enough to pivot and utilize assets elsewhere.