Scott Laughton (thread originated in 2013)

[SolidSnakeUS]

Happy he has found that he is succeeding at wing over center. His speed allows him to play wing as well. Maybe he's a new type of Schenn, where he'd be better on wing than center.

 

[Curufinwe]

We just need Raffl to get his faceoff game going so he can remain at center. Or maybe Laughton is centered by Cousins when Couturier comes back.

http://faceoffs.net/stats/faceoff-percentage?team=PHI

 

[deadhead]

I'd put Raffl back on the second line, Laughton - Cousins - Read on the 3rd line. Raffl is so grossly underrated because he's not a great finisher, but put him with Couts and that's a shutdown line and Schenn can pump them in.

And that third line can grow together with Read the veteran influence, then replace Read with Konecny next year and put Read on the 4th line with Leier and PEB or a FA center.

 

[achdumeingute]

He's looked like a new player the last 2 games playing LW so figured I would give this thread a bump. Ideally I'd like to see him stay at LW for the rest of the season to see if there's a chance the move there could be permanent.
I'm
Voracek-Giroux-Simmonds
Laughton-Coots-Schenn
Raffl-Cousins-Read
Hak line

as usual, people around here are way too impatient.

Laughton hasn't failed at center. He has less responsibility on the wing. Classic case of a young player thinking instead of just playing.

Most rookies take time. Scott is no different. He shows good vision, speed, and scoring ability, he just needs consistency, which is a problem with most young players.

If he isn't more consistent in 2 more years then there is cause for concern.

 

[Larry44]

as usual, people around here are way too impatient.

Laughton hasn't failed at center. He has less responsibility on the wing. Classic case of a young player thinking instead of just playing.

Most rookies take time. Scott is no different. He shows good vision, speed, and scoring ability, he just needs consistency, which is a problem with most young players.

If he isn't more consistent in 2 more years then there is cause for concern.

Laughton has also looked pretty good a C setting up Voracek and others for some lovely goals and chances. He just needed better players to play with. He did play LW and RW at the WJC so it's not like he's not versatile enough to play both.

 

[bb12]

I respect the concept of players needing to shine on their own but Laughton is a case of poor line mates and players around him. He was handcuffed wth umberger most of the year and saddled with gagner when he was struggling.

 

[klutch]

His great chemistry with Cousins already is what really amazes me. Prime example of what the AHL can do for these younger players.

 

[1865]

Genuinely excited about Laughton on the wing. He could fill the 2/3 spot that's looked like an issue going forward.

 

[deadhead]

Actually, Laughton on the third line with Cousins and Konecny and Raffl with Couts would get us away from the "line hierarchy" mentality and more into a matchup mentality, a physical, grinding defensive second line and a fast scoring third line that can be used in different roles.

Upgrading the 4th line with top PK guys who can forecheck would make them a better fit.

 

[sa cyred]

Really hope it works out. He has looked better on LW in 3 games, than he has ever played at center in the NHL so far.

Now maybe it was because of him being a healthy scratch, but if this is the real Laughton I am A-OK with it.

 

[Rebels57]

Really hope it works out. He has looked better on LW in 3 games, than he has ever played at center in the NHL so far.

Now maybe it was because of him being a healthy scratch, but if this is the real Laughton I am A-OK with it.

Playing the wing give's Scotty the freedom to forecheck his ass off and fly around the zone. He doesn't have to think as much about defensive assignments, which was clearly holding him back.

 

[FLYERSFAN18]

He would look good on Couturier's wing along with Schenn

 

[Curufinwe]

He would look good on Couturier's wing along with Schenn

He would certainly bring a lot of speed to that line.

 

[FLYERSFAN18]

He would certainly bring a lot of speed to that line.

Exactly. Seems like he would be a great compliment to couturier and schenn

 

[Rebels57]

Let him work his way up to that line through hard work and production. Don't gift him that spot yet.

 

[FLYERSFAN18]

Let him work his way up to that line through hard work and production. Don't gift him that spot yet.

Totally agree. I was just saying if he asserts himself as a LW for the team his skill set could mix very well with what Couturier and Schenn bring

 

[Rebels57]

Totally agree. I was just saying if he asserts himself as a LW for the team his skill set could mix very well with what Couturier and Schenn bring

I would agree too. Adding a tenacious, gritty forward with plus speed to Coots-Schenn would balance the line out nicely. It helps that he has a nice shot too when given the time and space to use it.

 

[Curufinwe]

http://www.csnphilly.com/hockey-philadelphia-flyers/time-around-scott-laughton-thriving-left-wing

“I feel like I have more energy off the rush, not playing down low as much,” Laughton said after the Flyers’ 4-2 win over the visiting Arizona Coyotes on Saturday (see game story). “In [Dave Hakstol's] system, like I’ve said before, the winger slashes across and tries to beat the D. That’s what I’ve been trying to do, slash, and we’ve gotten a couple 2-on-1s and things like that.”


“He was involved today, and I don’t know if that matters if he’s up the middle or on the wing,” Hakstol said. “But he was involved, to me. He scored a goal, he got in a scrap and has had an impact each and every shift. He’s got to keep doing those things.”

“I think it’s definitely easier on the wing,” Laughton said. “You don’t do as much down low. … It’s nice in Hak’s system to get speed as a winger instead of standing still.”

 

[SaSaShi]

http://www.csnphilly.com/hockey-philadelphia-flyers/time-around-scott-laughton-thriving-left-wing

This article shows even more how valuable couturier is. Its not easy to produce offensively while playing a very solid defensive game like couturier does.

Laughton looks much more at ease on the wing and can let his speed and good shot shine even more.

One thing about hakstol that i really like is he will let his young players be themselves and not over constrict which could stunt their creativity and growth. Ghost is a good example and we are now seeing it with laughton. If he can shore down a winger role and flourish, it can be a big help for this team in the years ahead

 

[boodangleroo28]

Over the last 2 years my thought is Laughton will end up like Chris Kelly

 

[Appleyard]

Over the last 2 years my thought is Laughton will end up like Chris Kelly

If he turns out like a prime Chris Kelly that would be awesome.

For ~5 or so years the guy was one of the most underrated guys in the NHL... I have always thought he helped Bergeron get his defensive game to the next level. (he was always good, but I think Kelly being such a good defensive player himself helped Bergeron kick on and reach that next level so few achieve.)

 

[Curufinwe]

Laughton and Cousins leading the team in 5 on 5 Scoring per minute.

http://stats.hockeyanalysis.com/rat...aters&minutes=50&disp=1&sort=PCT&sortdir=DESC

 

[deadhead]

I think playing with Cousins helps Laughton, because Cousins is far more patient, the virtues of being less talented is you don't try to outskate everyone, you survey the ice and make good decisions. This frees Laughton to use his speed because he can focus on forechecking, not controlling the rush.

I think Cousins is a good example why most players could use a year or two in the AHL, playing a steady shift and working on your game without the pressure that any mistake might bench you is how you learn to play within your limits. Too many bad teams rush their prospects to the NHL and they never develop.

 

[CS]

I think playing with Cousins helps Laughton, because Cousins is far more patient, the virtues of being less talented is you don't try to outskate everyone, you survey the ice and make good decisions. This frees Laughton to use his speed because he can focus on forechecking, not controlling the rush.

I think Cousins is a good example why most players could use a year or two in the AHL, playing a steady shift and working on your game without the pressure that any mistake might bench you is how you learn to play within your limits. Too many bad teams rush their prospects to the NHL and they never develop.

Honestly, he and Cousins can work together for now with Read, and then grab Konecny in a couple years.

2016-17

Voracek - Giroux - Simmonds
Raffl - Couturier - Schenn
Laughton - Cousins - Read
VandeVelde - Bellemare - Umberger

2017-18

Voracek - Giroux - Simmonds
xxxxx - Couturier - Schenn
Laughton - Cousins - Konecny
Raffl - xxxxxx - Read

The hope being we have another LW in there by then who can score. If not, that's still a strong forward core, plus what should be a really good defense.

Things are looking good.

 

[whitstifier]

Honestly, he and Cousins can work together for now with Read, and then grab Konecny in a couple years.

2016-17

Voracek - Giroux - Simmonds
Raffl - Couturier - Schenn
Laughton - Cousins - Read
VandeVelde - Bellemare - Umberger

2017-18

Voracek - Giroux - Simmonds
xxxxx - Couturier - Schenn
Laughton - Cousins - Konecny
Raffl - xxxxxx - Read

The hope being we have another LW in there by then who can score. If not, that's still a strong forward core, plus what should be a really good defense.

Things are looking good.

I remember when Laughton got slotted at 3C by everyone. I've liked Cousin's play, but I'm skeptical about his future as a center. Laughton still seems like the better fit there.

I hope that Hextall signs or trades for a bottom six C in the offseason. The team badly needs another above average faceoff player.

Also, I think an Umberger buyout is a fairly conservative bet.