Rumors have begun to heat up as the NHL trade deadline is only seven days away. The Flyers are more than likely going to be selling when the time comes.
Philadelphia would need to make a major push as they are six points out of a wild card spot and need to jump five teams to make it. Hot streaks can come anytime, but the Flyers need to be realistic about their situation.
Danny Briere has been clear that the organization needs to rebuild the right way, and that means making tough decisions. However, that doesn't mean they will sell players simply for the sake of selling them. They still want to get value back in a trade that will help provide positive results for the future.
Whether that's stockpiling more draft picks or shipping out veterans for players they can build the team around, Briere is open to whatever happens. He has a few more decisions to make before the Mar. 7 deadline rolls around.
Scott Laughton's name heating up
Briere's biggest trade asset has long been Scott Laughton. The veteran forward has been in trade rumors dating back a few years to this point. The Flyers have held steady on their return for Laughton, seeking a first-round pick or a player that would provide equivalent value.
A team that has been rumored recently to have significant interest in Laughton is the Toronto Maple Leafs. Laughton is from Oakville, so a trade to the Leafs would be a homecoming of sorts. It's not necessarily a factor, but it would be a personal tough for Laughton after his family recently dealt with a personal tragedy back in January. Heading back home could ease the sting of being traded.
Laughton does not own any trade protection, but with his status in the organization, there is little doubt that Briere and company would leave him in the dark about possible destinations. For a team wanting to make Philadelphia a premier destination again, giving one of their longest-tenured athletes a chance to weigh in would go a long way.
Having already removed locker room favorites Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost, it's fair to wonder what could happen if Laughton is the next one to move. That's where the tough decisions come into play. Do the Flyers feel they've fixed their leadership issues to the point where moving on from Laughton won't derail their progress? While not a top reason on whether or not to trade a player, it could hold some weight if the Flyers are on the fence.
One small problem with the Leafs is that they don't have a first round pick this year. The Flyers do have three first round picks already, so they could pivot to 2026 as they currently hold one pick in that round. With the cap rising, Philadelphia could also take a player off Toronto's hands similar to acquiring Ryan Johansen in the Sean Walker deal.
Aside from the Leafs, other teams sniffing around Laughton have included the Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets, and New Jersey Devils.
Rasmus Ristolainen's name cooling down
It's been quite the transformation for Rasmus Ristolainen over the last few years. A ton of credit goes to Brad Shaw for the work he has been able to do with the Flyers' defenseman. Ristolainen has become a player that Philadelphia can rely on and is someone that has easily been one of their best players on the backend. It's why John Tortorella believes Ristolainen is the most improved player since his arrival.
With that, his name has floated around a potential trade trip. While there had been some interest in him previously, it seems things have cooled down on that front. Ristolainen would not be a rental for whichever team acquires him. He has two years remaining on a deal that pays him 5.1M per year. If this was a few years ago, the Flyers would've needed to retain a healthy chunk of his salary to make a deal work.
Due to his improvement over the last year or so, that shouldn't be the case anymore. But some may still be weary about acquiring him at the current cap hit. And the Flyers likely don't want to retain money at this point. Kevin Kurz of The Athletic recently reported that the Flyers haven't received many calls on Ristolainen. Add in the fact that Briere had stood firm that they aren't in a rush to trade Ristolainen with Tortorella's feelings toward the defenseman and it isn't as surprising.
His size and physicality are something that playoff teams strive for. And for someone who has never played a postseason game before, Ristolainen fits the bill as a player who could make an impact when the games get tougher. But with the Flyers defense that lacks size, keeping someone like Ristolainen is also on the table. Travis Sanheim is built similarly, but he's more offensive.
Most of the Flyers defense falls under 200 lbs and those knocking on the door are of a similar stature. Hunter McDonald is waiting in the wings and provides the size the team is looking for, but it's far too soon for him to jump to the NHL. Being physical is only one aspect, but it can be an important one.
This close to the trade deadline, anything can happen as players start falling off the board. The Flyers have three more games to go until they are locked in with their roster. We'll see if anything changes between now and then.