#9: Scott Laughton disappointing in games
Laughton improved dramatically in 2015-16 from an on-ice statistical performance standpoint when he was shifted over to left wing in February. This summer, I theorized that his skillset fits better on the wing, and the Flyers seem to agree, as he kicked off camp exclusively playing there. Unfortunately, in preseason games, we haven't seen the same exciting winger from the latter part of last season. In fact, out of the players battling for a role on the third line (Cousins, Weise, Read, Laughton), the 2012 first round pick has been the least impressive to my eyes.
Laughton's 47.62% Corsi For percentage was the lowest among forwards last night, and again, the eyes backed up the stats. His speed in particular has not been apparent thus far. I doubt it's a physical ailment that is slowing Laughton, and more a lack of decisiveness on the ice that could be causing Laughton's general ineffectiveness.
At the start of camp, it was difficult to imagine Scott Laughton not making the team, but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility now. After all, Laughton is waiver-exempt, so the Flyers do not risk losing him to another team if they assign him to the AHL. In addition, if Travis Konecny makes the team, that turns the third line competition into a five-man race, rather than a four-man one. Let's say the third line becomes Raffl-Cousins-Weise, and Read moves down to the fourth line -- what happens to Laughton? Is he the 13th forward? Or do the Flyers take advantage of his waiver-exempt status and remove him from the roster entirely?
