I really hope at the very least (if they don't re-sign Gagne) the Flyers give Scott Laughton his 9 games. If he made the NHL roster out of an abbreviated training camp last year, who knows what he could do with a full length one this time around. He also took his demotion back to Oshawa last year as motivation and was one of the best players in the OHL. He likely would've put up nice offensive numbers (he was still above a PPG) if it wasn't for suspensions. If they decide to keep him up on the big club, I hope they try him out on Hall or Couturier's left wing, assuming those are your third and fourth line centers.

Sorry for the intrusion, I'm a 2 year "lurker" who came across this site when I started my internship. I decided to register this summer and couldn't help myself from commenting today because I'm a huge advocate of Scott Laughton playing in the NHL next season.
- TobyFlenderson

Welcome aboard. So, tell us about yourself. Most importantly, was it more Jeff Carter's fault or Matt Carle's? Should we blame Lavi or Bryz for all of last season?

I know that, yes, the fact that he's on an ELC and, if he's returned, we can use the slide rule, then it's cool to free up a contract slot. That said, if he proves that he's the best fit for a role that he can play (4th line wing/3rd line center/whatever) then he should play. If he doesn't prove he belongs or is a good fit at training camp, then he shouldn't.
- jmatchett383

If he earns it, great. If not, no harm in sending him back.

I don't think Laughton should have a job just handed to him and have it be his job to lose. He should have to earn it.

Sorry for the intrusion, I'm a 2 year "lurker" who came across this site when I started my internship. I decided to register this summer and couldn't help myself from commenting today because I'm a huge advocate of Scott Laughton playing in the NHL next season.
- TobyFlenderson

There's still time. Get out while you can. At first, Hockeybuzz seems like an ok place. But soon, you will start to wake at night, screaming three letters over and over. These three letters will consume you.

Some people on here are already too far gone. They only post with him in mind. It's terrible to watch.

Welcome aboard. So, tell us about yourself. Most importantly, was it more Jeff Carter's fault or Matt Carle's? Should we blame Lavi or Bryz for all of last season?
- jmatchett383

Toby, you should also know that no matter what your opinion is, someone'll be along shortly to tell you how wrong your opinion is.



Seriously, welcome aboard!

Honestly, if they move either Mez or Grossmann for cap space, and then sign Gagne, Laughton will have next to no shot to make the team as they are not going to keep him to be a spare forward

Hartnell-Giroux-Voracek
Schenn-Vinnie-Read
Gagne-Couturier-Simmonds
Talbot-Hall-Rinaldo
Rosehill

Unless he significantly outplays Hall, he is going back to the OHL if they sign Gagne.
- BiggE

If they sign Gagne, I believe the Flyers will sit Hall for the first 9 games. It will give them a chance to see if they even need Hall. Couturier may improve his face-offs. If he does, Hall will be expendable.

The other aspect is that if a centerman gets injured, Laughton would probably be the first call up. Once he's sent to juniors, they cannot call him up (Only in case of an emergency).

There's still time. Get out while you can. At first, Hockeybuzz seems like an ok place. But soon, you will start to wake at night, screaming three letters over and over. These three letters will consume you.

Some people on here are already too far gone. They only post with him in mind. It's terrible to watch.
- feelingkettle

You can try to stay out of it, to sit back and watch the text based carnage. Sooner or later, though, it will consume you. It will draw you in, chew you up, and spit you out. War Hockeybuzz is hell*.

*I like Hockeybuzz please don't ban me Ek thx

Welcome aboard. So, tell us about yourself. Most importantly, was it more Jeff Carter's fault or Matt Carle's? Should we blame Lavi or Bryz for all of last season?
- jmatchett383

That's not fair to put it all on them...It was clearly Shelley's fault as well.

If he earns it, great. If not, no harm in sending him back.

I don't think Laughton should have a job just handed to him and have it be his job to lose. He should have to earn it.
- johndewar

Exactly. I'm not saying he should be given a spot to lose, but there should be fair competition for quite a few positions, 2 being 4th line C and 4th line winger. If he outperforms players for those spots, he should be playing.

That's not fair to put it all on them...It was clearly Shelley's fault as well.
- PhillySportsGuy

Should never have burned a year of Shelley's ELC.

Should never of burned a year of Shelley's ELC.
- jmatchett383

ftfy

Toby, you should also know that no matter what your opinion is, someone'll be along shortly to tell you how wrong your opinion is.



Seriously, welcome aboard!
- johndewar

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and my opinion is that you have no right to your opinion" - George Carlin

Should never have burned a year of Shelley's ELC.
- jmatchett383

Exactly. I'm not saying he should be given a spot to lose, but there should be fair competition for quite a few positions, 2 being 4th line C and 4th line winger. If he outperforms players for those spots, he should be playing.
- jmatchett383

I think it depends on team needs as well. Rinaldo is important to have on the ice because of his energy and fighting. Laughton is probably a better all around player at this point. He's, also, probably better than Hall, but Hall is an elite faceoff man. That's something this team may need more than what Laughton provides.

If they sign Gagne, I believe the Flyers will sit Hall for the first 9 games. It will give them a chance to see if they even need Hall. Couturier may improve his face-offs. If he does, Hall will be expendable.

The other aspect is that if a centerman gets injured, Laughton would probably be the first call up. Once he's sent to juniors, they cannot call him up (Only in case of an emergency).
- PhillySportsGuy

I have no problem sitting Hall and Rosehill, however I think they may want to carry 8 D to start the season, rather than risk losing Bourdon or Gervais on waivers, especially after what the D went through last year. So if that's the case, they only have room to carry 13 forwards. I guess if they want to keep Laughton, but only 13 forwards overall, they could waive Rosehill. I can't imagine anyone jumping in to claim him off waivers, and even if someone does, it's no big loss.

I think it depends on team needs as well. Rinaldo is important to have on the ice because of his energy and fighting. Laughton is probably a better all around player at this point. He's, also, probably better than Hall, but Hall is an elite faceoff man. That's something this team may need more than what Laughton provides.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well, as far as the 4th line winger, I was referring to the other side, which Rosehill is currently sitting at (unless I'm forgetting someone). Still, they could use Laughton at the dot for neutral zone/offensive zone starts and use Hall on defensive zone starts. And, not a bad idea to have 2 centers on the 4th line in case one gets tossed out of the dot.

I have no problem sitting Hall and Rosehill, however I think they may want to carry 8 D to start the season, rather than risk losing Bourdon or Gervais on waivers, especially after what the D went through last year. So if that's the case, they only have room to carry 13 forwards. I guess if they want to keep Laughton, but only 13 forwards overall, they could waive Rosehill. I can't imagine anyone jumping in to claim him off waivers, and even if someone does, it's no big loss.
- BiggE

They can send Rosehill down to start the season. I also wouldn't be too concerned with someone taking Gervais. In fact, I would welcome it. They can keep MAB as 7th dman and bring up Lauridson if they need to. If all things go as planned, they shouldn't need an 8th or 9th defenseman until later in the season so Lauridson and Manning will get a good chunk of time in the minors.

I think it depends on team needs as well. Rinaldo is important to have on the ice because of his energy and fighting. Laughton is probably a better all around player at this point. He's, also, probably better than Hall, but Hall is an elite faceoff man. That's something this team may need more than what Laughton provides.
- PhillySportsGuy

Adam Hall is also a pretty big dude.

The need for a big center is not as great now that Lecavalier is around, but it never hurts.

Well, as far as the 4th line winger, I was referring to the other side, which Rosehill is currently sitting at (unless I'm forgetting someone). Still, they could use Laughton at the dot for neutral zone/offensive zone starts and use Hall on defensive zone starts. And, not a bad idea to have 2 centers on the 4th line in case one gets tossed out of the dot.
- jmatchett383

If the team does not sign Gagne, then that's the direction I think they'll go. If they sign Gagne then it's musical chairs with Laughton, Hall and Rinaldo.

They can always play Laughton at center and have Hall take defensive zone faceoffs. Hall is accustomed to playing all 3 forward spots.

They can send Rosehill down to start the season. I also wouldn't be too concerned with someone taking Gervais. In fact, I would welcome it. They can keep MAB as 7th dman and bring up Lauridson if they need to. If all things go as planned, they shouldn't need an 8th or 9th defenseman until later in the season so Lauridson and Manning will get a good chunk of time in the minors.
- PhillySportsGuy

Understatement on mankind's time upon Earth. An event of that magnitude requires a magnificent feast for several days followed by several parades and an annual holiday.

Welcome aboard. So, tell us about yourself. Most importantly, was it more Jeff Carter's fault or Matt Carle's? Should we blame Lavi or Bryz for all of last season?
- jmatchett383

Thank you, and others, for the kind words of welcome! I recently purchased tickets to opening day for my girlfriend's birthday, though secretly they were a present for me. And it's always Carter's fault. My cousin knows the family who owns the Sea Isle house next door to his and actually borrowed a life jacket from Carter. She said she's never seen a better looking human being in her life. I was disgusted.

Not really, I loved Carts when he was here. But I love Couturier and Voracek even more.

Adam Hall is also a pretty big dude.

The need for a big center is not as great now that Lecavalier is around, but it never hurts.
- johndewar

I, actually, think this team needs more speed than size at this point. Only above average skaters are Read and Voracek (and gagne if they sign him). Laughton is also a pretty good skater if he makes the team. I guess Rinaldo is also above average.

They can send Rosehill down to start the season. I also wouldn't be too concerned with someone taking Gervais. In fact, I would welcome it. They can keep MAB as 7th dman and bring up Lauridson if they need to. If all things go as planned, they shouldn't need an 8th or 9th defenseman until later in the season so Lauridson and Manning will get a good chunk of time in the minors.
- PhillySportsGuy

Perhaps, but with this team's luck, they will probably be down 3 defenseman by November!

If the team does not sign Gagne, then that's the direction I think they'll go. If they sign Gagne then it's musical chairs with Laughton, Hall and Rinaldo.

They can always play Laughton at center and have Hall take defensive zone faceoffs. Hall is accustomed to playing all 3 forward spots.
- PhillySportsGuy

Well if Gagne's back, that moves Talbot down to the 4th line, so it's either Laughton or Hall. If that's the case, I'd definitely prefer the 9-game tryout, and see how he (and the team) do.

Perhaps, but with this team's luck, they will probably be down 3 defenseman by tomorrow!
- BiggE

ftfy

Hey guys.

Anyone looking for a sports car, I am selling my SRT-4.

http://delaware.craigslist.org/cto/3996569611.html