VOORHEES, N.J. – Trying to score a hat trick in Game 7 of a Stanley Cup Final might have been easier than what Flyers general manager Daniel Briere had to do on Friday.
Namely, trade Scott Laughton.
The two actually were teammates on the Flyers a decade ago and struck up a solid friendship.
So when it came time for Briere to pull the trigger on a deal with Toronto at the NHL trade deadline on Friday afternoon, emotions were running high.
During the post-deadline press conference at the Flyers Training Center, Briere explained just what made the transaction (Nikita Grebenkin and a 2027 conditional first-round pick from the Maple Leafs for Laughton, a 2025 fourth-round draft pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick) so difficult.
“Trading Scott Laughton was probably one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do as a GM,” Briere said. “What he means to the Flyers, the type of person he is, a teammate that he is. How helpful he was to not just his teammates, the coaching staff, the community – it’s kind of a cool ending for him. Having a chance to go back home (to Ontario).”
In two other moves, the Flyers shipped forward Andrei Kuzmenko and a 2025 seventh-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Kings for a 2027 third-round pick. Philadelphia retains 50 percent of Kuzmenko’s cap hit ($2.75 million). Finally, the Flyers sent defenseman Erik Johnson to Colorado for forward Givani Smith.
Briere is trying to rebuild the Flyers piece by piece and a 30-year-old player like Laughton really didn’t fit into those plans. The team wants to get younger, so any player getting their 30s can figure in that sort of scenario.
Laughton’s father-in-law passed away suddenly last month and that only added to the anxiety of these developments.
“It was tough to let Scott go,” Briere said. “But the return was amazing. And on top of it, the chance to go play for his hometown team. I think it’s pretty cool.”
The Flyers are going to miss Laughton for more reasons than just chasing pucks around the ice.
“There’s no doubt that it’s a little scary,” Briere said. “He was a big part of the culture that we’ve been reestablishing the last couple years. He was a big part of that.
“But at some point you have to let some of the young guys start to take over. We thank Scott for everything that he’s done. Hopefully he leaves a print on our locker room. You see some of the young guys taking a step this year. Noah Cates, Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink have all elevated their play. You hope they can all use what they learned from Scott.”
As many as 15 teams inquired about Laughton’s availability.
The GM sounds pretty excited about the acquisition of Grebenkin, who has already played seven games for the Maple Leafs.
“He was one of their prospects that we really liked,” Briere said. “Our guys (scouts) were really high on him. Got excited when his name started getting mentioned as a possibility. Definitely a target for us.”
Briere also played with Johnson. He chuckled when asked about that, saying, “another teammate. . .trading all the teammates away today.”
The GM said it was more of a favor to the player, giving him a chance to chase another Stanley Cup. He won one with the Avalanche in 2022.
>Flyers had offers for other players
Briere said the Flyers did receive calls to check on the availability of other players.
“There were a few names that came up,” Briere said. “Most of the time it’s just teams checking. I don’t think I got anything serious.”
The GM said the Kuzmenko deal came out of the blue on Friday. “That just made sense,” Briere said. “We weren’t shopping him.”
>High asking price for Ristolainen
There was a lot of speculation that Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen might be moved but the rumored asking price – a first-round pick, a prospect and a roster player – was too rich for most teams.
The Flyers set the price tag high because of his value to the team.
“His play mostly, it just keeps improving,” said Briere in explaining the heavy asking price. “Under this coaching staff, his play just keeps getting better. It’s no secret we would like to get in the playoffs this year, no doubt about it. Hopefully next year we can take a run at it.”
>When will rebuild end?
Briere was asked when this rebuild will begin to end.
“I wish it were now,” he said. “I think we’re getting closer and closer. We started doing that this trade deadline. It’s finding the right player when the time is right. It’s probably progressing a little quicker than I even expected. Some of our young guys are stepping up.
“We’re getting younger and younger as a team. I’m almost scared to look at our age group after today. We’re definitely going to be near the top of the youngest group in the NHL. That’s exciting.”
Briere also said the Flyers have seven picks somewhere near the top 50 in this year’s draft.
>Money for free agency
The Flyers are getting some salary off their books, which could set them up for a free agent or two once the season ends.
“It’s possible,” Briere said. “It’s too early to tell who’s there, who’s not. We definitely have a bit more flexibility. There’s going to be a little opening this coming summer.”
>Replacements on the way
With Laughton and Kuzmenko gone, the Flyers plan to recall Rodrigo Abols and Olle Lycksell from Lehigh Valley for weekend games against Seattle and New Jersey.
