Trade

I personally would not do 11 + Ostlund for Farabee + 32 as suggested. Philly seems to hold Laughton in higher regard than moving up one spot, unless they feel there’s an insane tier break (and conversely, Buffalo doesn’t, as Laughton has intangibles, but is not a good player, see Johnson, Eric). Either way, I think one fanbase is going to be really annoyed if a trade does happen.

We could be looking back a few years from now and see that Philly’s best trade for Laughton was to move up to get Helenius, Iginla, Lindstrom or Catton in the “Michkov’s Center” draft. That’s what this draft is about—Flyers are not projected to have a better overall pick next year, and good centers in this league are at an absolute premium atm. A top 6 winger will be easier to find through UFA.

I’m a Sabres fan, so I’m talking from Buffalo’s perspective. I get the appeal from Philly’s side, and they’re not terrible ideas, but I’m not a fan of them for Buffalo personally.

And I don’t know if you are calling Laughton a top-six winger, but he’s pretty brutal on-ice impact, and Buffalo is (should) be done with average nice guy players.

Certainly not. Just saying what Philly would have to fill in Farabee absence

Funny that you say that about their projected pick next year - every single article I read about next year projects them as a bottom 10 team.

I guess we'll see what Torts can pull out of his ass in year 2 of the rebuild.