According to NHL Insider, Chris Johnston (@reporterchris on twitter) the Flyers have extended C/LW Scott Laughton to a 5-year, $15 million dollar extension.

Chuck Fletcher had options when it came to Laughton. He could’ve either traded him before the deadline (according to reports, teams were interested), extended him or let the rest of this season ride out and essentially let Laughton walk for nothing (Assuming Scott would’ve even wanted to leave). $3 million AAV on the cap for a versatile bottom-six player who is a huge part of the locker room, is a good move. This season has been rough but throughout it, I’d always catch myself saying, “Damn, I’d go to war with this guy”. He might not be the flashiest player or the fastest, but he brings intensity (something this very much lacks) every single game.

I was sort of on the edge with this whole situation. I’m not sure if that’s because of the disconnect right now between the Flyers and everybody who keeps up with them, but Chuck could’ve done multiple things here and I probably would’ve been okay with it.

• Trade Laughton now – With rumors circling that contending teams were interested, it wouldn’t have been a “big shake” up, like some people are calling for; but it certainly would’ve opened some eyes. Laughton is very well liked and a leader in that room, any team would’ve loved to add a guy like that for a playoff run.
  
• Extend and keep him like they did – You didn’t break the bank for him by any means and a 5-year deal with a cap hit of $3 million a year is very moveable if Chuck changes his mind in the off-season.
  
• Trade him now but re-sign him in the off-season – This move is pretty risky because you don’t see it happen very often. We saw Derek Grant go back to the Ducks after being traded here for that “playoff run”, but it doesn’t happen the often. I would’ve been open to the idea, but once a player hits free agency, especially a guy like Laughton who’s definitely well-liked around the league, there’s no telling what happens. Money talks.
  
• Trade Laughton and cut ties – Scott makes $2.3 right now, trading him away would’ve opened a nice amount of cap space for Chuck. You could’ve used a guy like Tanner Laczynski to try and fill that whole, cheap. Cutting ties would’ve sucked but at the same time it would’ve moved cap space, opened up a roster spot and gave Chuck some flexability heading into an off-season that surely will have some big moves.

7G-10A for 17 points in 38 games, Scott Laughton remains a Philadelphia Flyer.

Gustafsson Traded

The Flyers have traded D Erik Gustafsson to MTL for a 7th-round pick in 2022. Flyers will retain 50% of Gustaffson’s salary ($1.5).

Not a real shock here, Gustafsson fell out of the rotation pretty hard. The fact that we are all well aware of how atrocious the Flyers defense has been this year and he still couldn’t crack the line-up, is so bad. It all but explains why Chuck accepted a 7th-round pick in 2022 and retained half of his salary.

Talk about admitting you were dead wrong in the off-season. What a B-R-U-T-A-L signing. Enjoy, Montreal!

Raffl Traded

Long-time Flyer Michael Raffl’s time in Philadelphia has come to and end. Raffl has been traded to the Washington Captials for a 5th-round pick in 2021. Chuck Fletcher sheds $1.6 off the books and gets some assets for an expiring contract.

We’ll miss you #12, it’s been fun.

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Mandatory Credit: The Canadian Press