NHL trade deadline 2025 live updates: Rumors, news and analysis of every deal

Now that a number of centers have been dealt, all eyes are on the Flyers and center Scott Laughton. Whether a team is prepared to meet the Flyers’ asking price — at least a first round pick or top prospect — remains to be seen. A team source texted that, as of 9:15 a.m., things were “quiet” less than six hours ahead of the 3 p.m. deadline.

Interestingly, after one of the Flyers’ worst showings of the season on Thursday, a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, captain Sean Couturier mentioned that some off-ice “distractions” may have led to their second straight poor performance, including Tuesday’s lackluster 6-3 home defeat to the Flames. Couturier was, of course, referring to upcoming deadline, with guys like Laughton and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen frequently mentioned as players that could be on the move.

Laughton, in particular, is viewed internally by the club as one of its emotional leaders both on and off the ice. In fact, that’s a big part of the reason the Flyers kept him around at least season’s deadline. It’s worth remembering what Briere had to say last March 8 when asked why retaining Laughton was so vital.

“The intangibles that he brings in the locker room (are) something that has no price, and the other teams don’t see that,” Briere said. Laughton, he continued, “is critical to the development of our locker room and our young guys around him.”

Perhaps Briere believes the Flyers’ dressing room is strong enough now that a Laughton trade is more palatable. But Thursday’s game at least suggested that, well, maybe it isn’t.