Philadelphia Flyers' Scott Laughton Cranks Up Trade Value With Huge Four-Goal Night

The Philadelphia Flyers are coming off a 4-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night, where Scott Laughton was the star of the show.

The Flyers' left winger scored all four of the team's goals, bringing him up to seven on the season.

This was Laughton's second career hat trick. His first one came against the Washington Capitals in February 2021. This was also his first four-goal and four-point game.

His career night began in the second period when he found himself on a breakaway, Laughton received a turnover by Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson and carried the puck down the right side of the ice. As he approached Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot, he winded up for a slapshot and hammered the puck off the crossbar and in.

Laughton's second goal was a shorthanded marker early in the third period, assisted by Travis Konecny. Later, he converted two empty-net goals less than a minute apart.

On the last goal of the night, Laughton and right winger Garnet Hathaway were on a 2-on-0 breakaway heading toward the empty net. Despite being given the puck first, Hathaway made an unselfish play and returned the puck to Laughton, allowing him to record his fourth tally.

However, there's more to Laughton's performance on Thursday aside from the glory of scoring four goals in one contest.

Laughton tied the franchise record for most goals in a game, making him the 10th Flyer to achieve this milestone. The last Flyer to score four goals in a game was left winger John LeClair in October 2002.

Related: Want Ristolainen, Frost, Farabee Or Laughton? Flyers May Dangle All Of Them In Trade Talks

Laughton's performance comes a few weeks after TSN's Darren Dreger's report about the 30-year-old creating a lot of trade interest from teams around the league. According to the insider, to secure the Oakville, Ont., native in a trade, "it's going to take a premium draft pick or likely a top young prospect or NHL player."

After his four-goal performance, there shouldn't be a dent in what the Flyers could receive if they were interested in trading their first-round pick in 2012. Laughton can also play center, brings valuable leadership qualities and is in the fourth season of a five-year contract with a cap hit of $3 million.

This season, Laughton has 14 points in 30 games. His career high came in the 2022-23 campaign when he recorded 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points.

Related: Flyers Must Center In On A Problem That's Caused Trade Rumors