Flyers flip tough guy Nic Deslauriers to Carolina for a conditional draft pick
Deslauriers, 35, seemed in favor of a chance to play more and chase a Stanley Cup elsewhere. He'll get a chance with the Metropolitan-leading Hurricanes.
Nic Deslauriers has thrown his last punch as a Flyer, as the tough guy was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2027 on Friday before the trade deadline.
The 35-year-old, who was in the final year of the four-year, $7 million contract he signed with the Flyers in 2022, was one of the team’s few pending unrestricted free agents. Deslauriers has played in just 24 of the team’s 61 games this season and recently told The Inquirer that “it’s frustrating” and that “I still think I have some in the gas tank.”
While the return isn’t much, the move was more about the organization doing right by a popular veteran who seemed to want a change of scenery and a chance to chase a Stanley Cup, which he certainly will get with the Metropolitan-leading Carolina Hurricanes.
“I’m happy for him. I think he still has gas in the tank, too,” forward Garnet Hathaway told The Inquirer on Friday after the Flyers’ practice, in which Deslauriers participated. “I see it every day. I see the work ethic, I see how much he cares, and I see the teammate he is. So Carolina has got a great player [and a] great guy.”
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Deslauriers’ time in Philly will be defined by his willingness to stand up for his teammates and take on all comers. Long one of the most feared and toughest customers in the league, the fourth-line winger managed nine goals and 20 points in 195 games with the Flyers. He also had 33 regular-season fights, including spirited bouts against heavyweights like Matt Rempe, Ryan Reaves, and Tanner Jeannot.
“One of the toughest guys in the league around. So we’ll definitely miss him,” center Noah Cates said.
He also was beloved by his teammates for his selflessness, toughness, leadership, and the space he created for teammates with his physicality. Whether Deslauriers will have a nightly spot in Carolina’s lineup remains to be seen, but he does bring a physicality and toughness that many have criticized the Hurricanes for lacking in recent playoff runs.
“A heart-and-soul guy who has your back no matter what, competes every night, and is a guy, regardless of how many minutes or how many games or how things are going, you know he’ll be a guy to support you, and will always be around to help too,” said Hathaway, who laughed when asked if he’s happy the Flyers don’t play the Hurricanes again this year.
“It’s probably tougher than most people think, to be so competitive, as I think all of us are in this league, and not have the role you want, or the ice time you want.
“And so be able to have that role, and personality-wise, not let it affect you, is special for a locker room to have and intricate for it to have, too. So I’m going to miss him.”
In a corresponding move, the Flyers claimed veteran center Luke Glendening from New Jersey. The 36-year-old, who had four points in 52 games with the Devils, has played over 900 career NHL games and is known for his dexterity in the faceoff circle (55.6% career mark). He figures to be a fourth-liner or the 13th forward for the Flyers.
Staff writer Jackie Spiegel contributed to this article.