July 11, 2015

Still working with the prospects, Laughton looking to stick with Flyers

By Rich Hofmann
PhillyVoice Contributor

While much of the focus at Flyers development camp was on the group of young defenseman who both the organization and fans hope can solidify the blue line for years to come, the presence of 21-year-old forward Scott Laughton was also fairly notable.

After all, this is his fourth development camp since getting drafted 20th overall in 2012's first round. And while Laughton hasn’t minded taking on the role of elder statesman this week, he’ll flat-out tell you that his sights are set much higher.

“I’m just trying to help the younger guys,” Laughton said. “When I was at my first camp here, I was nervous and stuff like that so I’m just trying to help those guys. I want to make the team, I don’t think that’s a surprise. I’ve said that from day one. I think I’m ready to be an NHL player and a reliable one.”

Last season, Laughton finally received the opportunity in earnest to get his feet wet in the NHL. After being called up from Lehigh Valley in November due to an injury to Claude Giroux, he played 31 games. The problem? Laughton wasn’t adding any offense, only contributing two goals and four assists in that time. He was sent back down in February.

While Laughton, who had 27 points in 39 AHL games last season, knows that type of offensive output “isn’t going to cut it,” his season was also affected by injury. Most fans will remember the brutal open-ice hit by Washington defenseman Matt Niskanen in January. Laughton missed three weeks before returning to the ice for game action.

“I definitely didn’t play my game when I was back for the three games until I got sent down,” Laughton said. “It probably took me two weeks to get back into my game.”

A natural center, Laughton is in the middle of a complicated yet extremely simple situation: The Flyers currently have a ton of centers on the roster. Barring injury, Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier will be in the middle of two lines on opening night, while Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (last year’s fourth-line center) will also return. Newly acquired Sam Gagner is also a center, as is Brayden Schenn, who has played a lot on the wing during his time with the Flyers.

Regardless of what has already happened in his career, Laughton’s new coach sees potential in him.

"What I know about him I've seen a little on video," Hakstol told reporters (including the Courier-Post’s Dave Isaac) of Laughton. "Tenacious player who adds pace and adds grit. He's an exciting player as we look toward the future. We hope to see a nice step forward from him again coming to training camp."

Training camp has Laughton excited as well, and that is where the Flyers will start to determine if he can take a step forward. For this week, he was a mentor to the younger guys… as well as a frequent target on social media.