Laughton had an excellent showing, but the Devils never had any sustained pressure, so this shouldn't in itself be used to prove his performance.
Either way, Laughton is an NHLer and likely capable of playing in the top nine right out of the gate, imo.
-Raffl, Akeson, and Lecavalier is working exactly as I had hoped. Two guys who play very low maintenance games are allowing Lecavalier to not get in anybody's way which is exactly what we should be aiming for.
-BSchenn looked solid. Had more composure tonight than he usually did last season. That bodes well.
-Voracek will be a superstar sooner than later. He's going to be a PPG player.
-Ghost is better than LSchenn, Grossmann, and MacDonald. I see no reason to send him down, though he likely will be.
-Morin may be in the NHL soon, and he may be an effective NHLer at that time, but his prime will be several years down the road. He's the kind of guy who will finally become the player he was supposed to be in the back half of his 20s, imo.
-Laughton was fantastic. There isn't room to be a top nine center, but I certainly wouldn't be against letting him play some wing to get some opportunity with skilled players (perhaps he could even complete the Read-Couturier line).
It's just preseason, but I am stoked mainly because this game finally settled Laughton and Gostisbehere down. Both were doing alright, but they seemed to be treading water. Tonight they both learned they are capable of thriving, and that will go a long way. Once these guys see what they are capable of doing, it flips a switch. Wherever they start, at least they will know they are capable of handling a pro game.
EDIT: Streit was also awesome. I don't give a **** about size. Ghost, Streit, and all other small-ish puck movers drive the play forward. They may get beat on D, but they are defending far less than guys like Grossmann and Schenn.
I said this last year and got laughed at. Streit is a #1. Not Pronger, franchise level, but a #1. 40-50pts (EV + PP) and average to above average D is a #1 in my books.