Briere stated that he was honest and direct with the individual in question. He clarified that he was not actively trying to move him to another team. He made it clear that he would not accept a trade that only offered fair value because the individual held a much higher value to their team. The unique qualities that he brings to the team dynamic are invaluable. While other teams may not recognize this, it is something that we greatly appreciate. Briere informed him that a trade would only be considered if it greatly exceeded fair value.
In his 11-year tenure with the Flyers, Laughton has had seven different coaches, compared to only four trips to the playoffs. Despite facing numerous challenges over these seasons, Laughton is content with being a member of what he considers to be a team with potential for long-term success.
“I have invested a significant amount of time here and I am committed to being part of this team as we make a strong push,” he expressed. “My hope is that it will be this year, but regardless, I am dedicated to being a part of this journey alongside players like Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, ‘Sanny’, and Joel Farabee. These are players who have been with the organization for some time and truly care about its success. We all want to perform well for each other and for this city.”
Laughton attributes his style of play to the guidance and influence of veteran players on the Flyers team when he first joined the NHL, namely Scott Hartnell, Kimmo Timonen, Claude Giroux, and Wayne Simmonds.
Laughton expressed that it can be unsettling to hear rumors, but he is thrilled and appreciative to remain with this amazing team.
The player had been mentioned in trade speculations prior to the NHL Trade Deadline. Although the general manager, Daniel Brière, reassured him that a trade was unlikely, he felt some anxiety as the deadline approached.
Scott Laughton breathed a sigh of relief when 3 p.m. ET struck on March 8 and he was still a part of the Philadelphia Flyers.
According to Frost, “Our team has a multitude of characters, but he is likely the primary character.”
Briere didn’t require any validation regarding Laughton’s importance to the team. He’s personally witnessed the impact Laughton has, but as part of his job, he must pay attention when teams inquire about his availability.
His teammates reciprocated by going to Briere and letting him know Laughton needed to remain in Philadelphia.
“I believe it’s commonly acknowledged that he exudes a strong presence in the locker room,” stated forward Morgan Frost. “Especially as we strive towards making the playoffs. It’s definitely beneficial to have him in our midst.”
“It’s quite emotional for me, to be honest,” he stated. “Having such strong support from the room is incredible. I strive to always be the reliable guy for my teammates, someone they can count on in various situations. So this means a great deal to me and is truly special.”
Laughton takes great pleasure in organizing various meals and events, such as rookie dinners, outside of the playing rink. He believes that having a tight-knit team that comes together in such ways greatly benefits the group, and he takes great pride in being a part of it.
Philadelphia, with a record of 35-26-9, currently holds the third spot in the Metropolitan Division and is two points ahead of the fourth-place Washington Capitals. Their lead will face a challenge this weekend as they face off against the top two teams in the Atlantic Division on back-to-back days. On Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, the Flyers will play host to the division-leading Boston Bruins at Wells Fargo Center, followed by a game against the second-place Florida Panthers on Sunday.
“I actively listened to the offers, and there were many teams who expressed interest in him. However, we ultimately decided to keep him, as he is a crucial influence for the growth of our team dynamic and the players around him.”
Laughton has accumulated a total of 34 points, including 12 goals and 22 assists, in 70 games played this season. He is currently tied with Simon Holmstrom of the New York Islanders for first place in the NHL with seven short-handed points. Beyond his performance on the ice, Laughton has also emerged as a strong leader and central figure for his team, which has relied on their team culture to drive them towards a spot in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Over the past two seasons, Laughton has served as an alternate captain, but his impact goes far beyond the letters on his jersey. He takes charge of the team’s music before and after games, is known for his vocal trash talking, and brings a much-needed positive attitude to lift team spirits during the taxing 82-game season.
Laughton finds great significance in the fact that his teammates stood by him.
Travis Sanheim, the defenseman, stated that Danny is frequently around and thus they have regular conversations with him. He recognizes the significance of Laughton, not just as a teammate in the locker room and on the ice, but also outside of the rink and the contribution he makes to the team every day. Sanheim believes it would be challenging to find a replacement for Laughton and he believes Danny understood this even before it was mentioned by anyone else.
