It's pretty incredible how much better Laughton is than he was in 15-16.
Yep. I certainly doubted his center ability in the NHL, even if I thought he was already a decent depth scoring NHL winger who they were miscasting.
But on a weak scoring team with weak scoring players 5v5, he's putting up points like a 3rd liner (1.4 p/60) without much winger help, killing it in the underlying numbers (even without Raffl he's been solid at +2% relative), and his usage is not skewed offensively. I think he's also been substantially better puck protecting and playing the cycle game, which was
not a strength his last full season. And he looks like a center. D-zone turnovers, which he struggled with, seem to have dissipated, and I have no worry when he's out there. He's even #2 in both individual HDCF/60 and rebounds/60, #4 in shots/60. He's doing actual stuff while being clean in his own end.
Considering the arc of Laughton's career, I am actually okay with them not putting too much on his plate at this point in the season. Let his confidence continue to slowly grow and he will eventually force them to give him more minutes. By next year, we could be looking at Couturier-Patrick-Laughton as the indisputable 1-2-3 down the middle.
A lot of people want Patrick to get a middle 6 role though -- or 2C -- even though he's only 19 and struggling mightily. I'd rather the 23 year old with 140 NHL games get the minor boost right now. I think it's Patrick who doesn't need a lot on his plate right now. Laughton has earned more grub. A few more minutes 5v5, no Leier (who I think is more a replacement level player), forming a real 3rd line.......I'd at least
try it given the depth scoring issues. What's the harm? They've already lowered his PK time lately. Then again I'd also have tested him in the slot on PP2. But the team has an issue with thinking he's more than a classic 4C, despite showing obvious strengths in certain areas. They pigeonhole him. I think he's earned more trust than that.
And you left off Filppula in your center depth chart for next year. Despite all season as 2C with top 6 linemates, he's scoring the worst out of all 4 centers 5v5 (like a 4th liner), getting cratered by every number.......and still getting force fed minutes and given the utmost trust. Gotta love the Flip!