A couple of weeks ago, I wrote that if Scott Laughton was going to make the Flyers, he would have to do on the merits of playing center - not on the wing.
Today in Lake Placid, coach Peter Laviolette told reporters just that: Laughton is a natural centerman, has only ever played the position, and has to fit there to stick around.
Which is the way it has to be given he is just 19-years-old. It's not like he's Vinny Lecavalier who can play wing or center and at his stage of his career, it won't matter.
The problem here is that the Flyers only have 2 forward spots open "if" they decide to carry 14 instead of 13.
Someone has to play left wing on the third line and right now, I would bet the house on that someone being Michael Raffl, though we had a newcomer - out of the blue - appear in camp last week in one, Chris Vande Velde.
From among these 3 players, including Laughton, two could make it; one will definitely make it.
That Tye McGinn was eliminated from the competition so early kinda surprised me. I felt he earned the right to stick around after last season but there must be something the coaching staff thinks he is lacking.
The entire way McGinn was handled last season was odd, being ping-ponged all over the lineup after coming back from his eye injury.
All of this will play during the Flyers final 3 exhibition games next week that lead us into the regular season.
And again, if the Flyers only carry 13 forwards, then their roster is 22 and not 23.
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Sportsnet in Canada broke a story today saying the Washington Capitals will host the 2015 Winter Classic. My sources - two of them - told me the Flyers and Bruins were the 2 finalist to play the Caps.
Other reports have Pittsburgh and Montreal. Frankly, I am surprised the Flyers would be in the mix for any more Winter Classics, having been in 2 already.
But if they are, it speaks to the power of the Flyers being a "draw" which means $$$ And let's face it, this is the NHL's signature event. It's always about the money.
There will be no outdoor game between the Flyers and Penguins for 2014 at University Park even though some continue to push for it. The schedule, I am told, can't be changed, among other issues.
Now if the Flyers were in the 2015 Winter Classic, would they still have a second outdoor game in January or February at Penn State? I'm not certain they would, but it could be the "backup" plan if the WC doesn't pan out.
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