Laughton has been impressing all years. Anyone who's watched the Gens this year knows he's going to be a good NHL player. He's very much relied on in Oshawa, along with Jenner and Biggs, to put up points and play a physical two-way game. I think he's going to be a Mike Richards type player, honestly.
The Richards comparison is very apt, IMHO. Laughton has good "hockey sense" in all directions, and that's the first thing that stood out to me, just like Richards, when they were relatively unheralded juniors... both hustle and use every ounce at their disposal, but they also see the game well, and use that vision well in both zones.
I think I picked Laughton something like 13th in my FHL entry draft last summer, I'm a believer. Never thought he'd be a candidate to crack the Flyers this early, mind you, but great to hear that he's showing well.
Oh, wow, I'm glad you cleared up that confusion... I was basing my post on how Lavi handled his roster down the stretch and into the playoffs last season on top of what occurred in the AHL during the lockout with the players down there, but you have shown me the light with baseless opinion... how misguided of me.
Not quite following you here.
Wellwood emerged late in the year last year and IMO (and I think in Lavi's as well) moved past Rinaldo. In the playoffs he played 11 playoff games and saw 11:42 of ice time.
Rinaldo played 5 playoff games and saw 5:41 of ice time.
If anything, Lavi favored Wellwood to Rinaldo. Neither guy, is penciled in for anything.
I still think Rinaldo is on this team as the 11/12 forward. Laviolette likes him and trusts him. Especially over Sestito and Shelley
As far as Laughton goes, I would have to agree that hes here for the 5 gamer until Briere is ready.
We are likely going to lose Jenner and now possibly Laughton too.
Dear lord.
Solid player; However, he really could use another year in Jr. to dominate.
It's funny because Jenner is considered a Richards comparison and it seems like Laughton is going down the same path. IMO Jenner is a Richards, and Laughton will be a Richards-lite. (which should be encouraging for any team)
Oh, wow, I'm glad you cleared up that confusion... I was basing my post on how Lavi handled his roster down the stretch and into the playoffs last season on top of what occurred in the AHL during the lockout with the players down there, but you have shown me the light with baseless opinion... how misguided of me.
Good, then if you're done with your nonsense we can move on.
I would have no objection of keeping him even when Briere comes back if he shows he is ready to stay in the nhl. We do need a natural center on the 4th line. (Talbot should stay on the shut down line with Couts at wing)
Without Briere:
Schenn/Giroux/Hartnell
Talbot/Couts/Voracek
Simmonds/Laughton/Read
Rinaldo/Feds/Wellwood
Sestito
With Briere:
Hartnell/Giroux/Voracek
Schenn/Briere/Simmonds
Talbot/Couts/Read
Feds/Laughton/Rinaldo
Sestito
Those lines aren't bad. Plus there will always be injuries for people to get shuffled around, especially playing in a high tempo system.
I would have no objection of keeping him even when Briere comes back if he shows he is ready to stay in the nhl. We do need a natural center on the 4th line. (Talbot should stay on the shut down line with Couts at wing)
Without Briere:
Schenn/Giroux/Hartnell
Talbot/Couts/Voracek
Simmonds/Laughton/Read
Rinaldo/Feds/Wellwood
Sestito
With Briere:
Hartnell/Giroux/Voracek
Schenn/Briere/Simmonds
Talbot/Couts/Read
Feds/Laughton/Rinaldo
Sestito
Those lines aren't bad. Plus there will always be injuries for people to get shuffled around, especially playing in a high tempo system.
We are likely going to lose Jenner and now possibly Laughton too.
Dear lord.
Solid player; However, he really could use another year in Jr. to dominate.
It's funny because Jenner is considered a Richards comparison and it seems like Laughton is going down the same path. IMO Jenner is a Richards, and Laughton will be a Richards-lite. (which should be encouraging for any team)
I don't think Laughton will stick with the club. He'll get his ffet wet, but once Briere is ready, they'll probably send him back
I don't think Laughton will stick with the club. He'll get his ffet wet, but once Briere is ready, they'll probably send him back
I don't know. He's already got some big fans in Laviolette, Holmgren and Laperriere. If Laviolette thinks he's good enough to stay, he'll stay. We'll know more after the first three games. If Laughton's getting anywhere from 10 to 14 minutes a night, he'll be a keeper. If he's getting less than 10 and is a scratch, he's going back to junior.
I don't think Laughton will stick with the club. He'll get his ffet wet, but once Briere is ready, they'll probably send him back
Have the Flyers done this at all recently? I mean the only guys I can think of making the team as 18 y/o rookies out of camp are Sbisa and Couturier, and neither of them got sent back down after the first couple games. To me it seems like their philosophy is if you make the team, you've made the team.
Have the Flyers done this at all recently? I mean the only guys I can think of making the team as 18 y/o rookies out of camp are Sbisa and Couturier, and neither of them got sent back down after the first couple games. To me it seems like their philosophy is if you make the team, you've made the team.
I think Zubrus made it....ultimately it wasn't the best decision for Zubrus although he's turned into a fine player.
There isn't really a large enough sample size since Wellwood only played 24 games in the regular season, but including his 11 playoff games, he was only on the ice for 3 goals against as a PKer, but he was used as a 3rd unit guy(<2 min per 60).
Never thought he'd be a candidate to crack the Flyers this early, mind you, but great to hear that he's showing well. 
