Philly Leader

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, acquiring forward Nikita Grebenkin and a first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. In exchange, the Flyers will send forward Scott Laughton, along with their fourth-round pick in 2025 and sixth-round pick in 2027, to Toronto.

As part of the agreement, the Flyers will retain 50% of Laughton's salary. The first-round pick from Toronto is Top 10 protected. This acquisition increases the Flyers' total picks to eight for the 2027 NHL Draft, including two in the first round.

Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere commented on the trade: “This trade is as tough as they come for me personally and professionally. Scott was an integral part of our team for a long time and it was a great pleasure to see him grow into the teammate and leader that he is. Scott not only brought back the standard of what it means to be a Philadelphia Flyer, he led the way and set a precedent for our organization moving forward.”

Briere further stated: “On the ice, he was as formidable and competitive as they come. Off the ice, I don't think I have seen anyone who was as kind, generous and welcoming to the hockey and Philadelphia community.”

He added that although it was a difficult decision, it was made with future benefits in mind: “Ultimately, we have had to make this difficult decision for what's best for our future. Scott will always be an important part of the Flyers organization, and his footprint will be felt on our team because of the culture he helped establish."

Nikita Grebenkin, aged 21, was drafted by Toronto in 2022 during the fifth round as 135th overall. He signed an entry-level contract in April 2024 and has participated in seven NHL games with Toronto. During most of this season, he played with the Toronto Marlies in AHL where he scored nine goals and earned 21 points over 39 games. He is set to join Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL).

Grebenkin hails from Serov, Russia, where before joining NHL ranks he spent parts of three seasons playing in KHL for Metallurg Magnitogorsk achieving 28 goals alongside 67 points across 120 games.

Scott Laughton has been associated with Philadelphia since being drafted by them during round one at position number twenty back in year twelve's draft event leading up till now wherein eleven seasons were dedicated towards contributing both offensively through scoring tally reaching hundred six goals accompanied by point collection summing up two hundred sixty-five across six hundred sixty-one matches thus ranking fourteenth within franchise’s historical context regarding appearances made whilst also serving role assistant captain commencing year twenty-two till current timespan involved herewith transactions mentioned earlier respectively speaking about proceedings concerned herein addressed above.