Penguins Could Target Flyers Forward at Trade Deadline

PITTSBURGH – With the NHL All-Star Game firmly in the rearview mirror, teams are turning their attention squarely on the trade deadline, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are still fighting for the playoffs. The Penguins believe they have what it takes to reach the postseason, but they’ll need to add at the deadline to give themselves a competitive edge.

Penguins fans might scoff at the idea, but it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility if Kyle Dubas has an interest in a key name currently playing with a cross-state rival. Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton has garnered a lot of attention and is a previous target of Dubas.

As general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dubas was close to acquiring Laughton from the Flyers. According to Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, the Maple Leafs were about to be Laughton’s next destination until he signed a five-year extension.

“It was basically either he signs an extension or gets traded to Toronto,” Friedman said. “That’s the story I was always told.”

Laughton is now three years into that contract, so the focus from Dubas has likely shifted away from the gritty depth center, but that could be a valuable addition for the Penguins. There has been no timetable set for Noel Acciari, but concussions can be unpredictable.

If Acciari is out of the lineup long-term, Laughton can fill that fourth-line center role and bring all the same assets. Laughton likes throwing his body around and can chip in more offensively than Acciari.

In 52 games played, Laughton has scored five goals and 15 assists for 20 total points on a Flyers team that wasn’t expected to take off the way they did.

“I’m sure the Philadelphia Flyers would love to make a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins,” Marek joked on the podcast.

That’s definitely an obstacle that would keep this deal from happening, but Dubas is still new to the rivalry, and the Penguins need help. It would take some convincing, but a bruiser like Laughton could go a long way for the Penguin's depth. Even when Acciari returns, he could slot in on a wing with Laughton and create one of the hardest-checking lines in the league.

Teams are calling about Laughton, and maybe Dubas and the Penguins are poking around.