True, but this year if he jumps in and cant swim, he might drown because there is no getting out of it other then being a scratch. Next year he will be AHL eligable and if he can't keep up can always be sent down for molding....
- youarewrong

That's what training camp and preseason are for.

Laughton < Richards, however...

Laughton = John Madden?

True, but this year if he jumps in and cant swim, he might drown because there is no getting out of it other then being a scratch. Next year he will be AHL eligable and if he can't keep up can always be sent down for molding....
- youarewrong

That's not true. Laughton could be sent back to juniors at any time.

logic. facts. pfft. no room for that here, sir.
- hammarby31

I just hate when people make broad statements. The world is made up of people who want to blame someone instead of simply asking why.

That's not true. Laughton could be sent back to juniors at any time.
- MJL

Then you waste a year of his ELC....In a cap world that is a important factor

I'm ok with Laughton making the team, but I want it to be as one if the top 9 or 10 guys to ensure he gets a ton of ice time. He's an impressive youngster and another astute late 1st rounder by Homer & his staff

The only thing that should be considered concerning Laughton making the team, is what is best for the players development, and is he good enough to make the team, in my opinion. There easily could be a Center spot available. And there's no reason why he can't play the Wing. Many players have come out of Juniors and switched positions. Either permanently, or temporarily. Leire and Stolarz are definitely going back to Juniors, so the contract spot isn't much of an issue. If Laughton struggles, he can be sent to Juniors at anytime. Although it would still count as a year on his EL deal. if he makes the team, I would expect there to be struggles at times.
- MJL

Thats not true. After game 9 if he stays in the Pros, then he can't go back to juniors at all. And if there is a problem that arises where he really starts to stuggle you will either have to keep putting him out there and maybe damage his pcyche or bench him for the rest of the year... and how will he develop that way, while counting over a million on the cap....

Unless he plays out of his mind in the camp and preseason I still send him down. Its safer for the player and for the team.

Agreed. They were only left with a small collection of superstars and a top-flight goaltending prospect after that Cup win.
- jmatchett383

that's true. but they lost a good chunk of guys who helped them win. you need role players and glue guys, not just a few superstars. and crawford was not proven at all, and was taking a beating during the finals about his glove hand. at the beginning of the year, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who felt the hawks were in good shape in net.

Then you waste a year of his ELC....In a cap world that is a important factor
- PhillaBully

That is true. That is the downside of that. But what's best for the player, should be the higher priority.

Thats not true. After game 9 if he stays in the Pros, then he can't go back to juniors at all. And if there is a problem that arises where he really starts to stuggle you will either have to keep putting him out there and maybe damage his pcyche or bench him for the rest of the year... and how will he develop that way, while counting over a million on the cap....

Unless he plays out of his mind in the camp and preseason I still send him down. Its safer for the player and for the team.
- youarewrong

You are incorrect. Look at Grigorenko last year. Played 1/2 the season for the Sabres then got sent back.

Thats not true. After game 9 if he stays in the Pros, then he can't go back to juniors at all. And if there is a problem that arises where he really starts to stuggle you will either have to keep putting him out there and maybe damage his pcyche or bench him for the rest of the year... and how will he develop that way, while counting over a million on the cap....

Unless he plays out of his mind in the camp and preseason I still send him down. Its safer for the player and for the team.
- youarewrong

You're incorrect. All that 9 games has to do with, is whether it counts as a year towards his ELC. In fact, it's not 9 games this year, it's one game. Laughton can be sent back to Juniors at any time.

That's what training camp and preseason are for.
- jmatchett383

Preseason and camp arent like playing in NHL regular season. Preseason is other rookies and boarderline players trying hard to make the team, while the better players are just trying not to get hurt.

the hawks had to unload a big portion of their team after 2010. only took 3 seasons to put it back together and win another one, and they didn't exactly suck in between.
- hammarby31

Yes but they had a very strong base with Toews, Kane, Seabrook, Keith, Sharp and Hossa.

They acquired several through high picks. Keith was an outstanding draft pick. Sharp was acquired because the Flyers were contending and the Hawks were not. I won't say the move wasn;t a good one, but it wouldnt have happened if the Hawks were in contention. Hossa was of course a free agent signing.

It's safe to say the Hawks don't get Seabrook, Kane or Toews if they're a playoff team.

Preseason and camp arent like playing in NHL regular season. Preseason is other rookies and boarderline players trying hard to make the team, while the better players are just trying not to get hurt.
- youarewrong

Well then why are they even inviting Laughton to camp? He should be in a bubble in Oshawa waiting for the OHl season to start.

Thats not true. After game 9 if he stays in the Pros, then he can't go back to juniors at all. And if there is a problem that arises where he really starts to stuggle you will either have to keep putting him out there and maybe damage his pcyche or bench him for the rest of the year... and how will he develop that way, while counting over a million on the cap....

Unless he plays out of his mind in the camp and preseason I still send him down. Its safer for the player and for the team.
- youarewrong

No, Laughton can go back to juniors at any time. The 9 game rule is only for starting the clock on his ELC. He could play 50 games & still get sent back to junior, same thing happened to Luca Sbisa

EDIT: actually, if Laughton plays 1 game in the NHL the clock starts on his ELC because the games he played last year count as his 9 game tryout

Laughton < Richards, however...

Laughton = John Madden?
- 77rams

There is a large gap in offensive production between richards and Madden. I'm pretty sure Laughton will fall somewhere between the two.

True, but this year if he jumps in and cant swim, he might drown because there is no getting out of it other then being a scratch. Next year he will be AHL eligable and if he can't keep up can always be sent down for molding....
- youarewrong

If Laughton isn't NHL ready by next season, I will have concerns.

If Laughton isn't NHL ready by next season, I will have concerns.
- PhillySportsGuy

He's probably already capable of handling a 4th line role right now...no question about that

Thats not true. After game 9 if he stays in the Pros, then he can't go back to juniors at all. And if there is a problem that arises where he really starts to stuggle you will either have to keep putting him out there and maybe damage his pcyche or bench him for the rest of the year... and how will he develop that way, while counting over a million on the cap....

Unless he plays out of his mind in the camp and preseason I still send him down. Its safer for the player and for the team.
- youarewrong

youarewrong

edit:Laught

If Laughton isn't NHL ready by next season, I will have concerns.
- PhillySportsGuy

They should let him play as an overager next year, don't want to risk him not playing well at some point in the season an using up a a year of his ELC.

You are incorrect. Look at Grigorenko last year. Played 1/2 the season for the Sabres then got sent back.
- jmatchett383

Yea, I see that now... Not sure if it changes my mind because look what happened to Grigorenko.... Played few minutes, didn't play well, and was sent back down. Cap stays on the team, and ELC keeps ticking.

I hope he plays well enough for me to say, I don't give a darn, we have to keep him. I wanted him to stay last season. But at this point, I think 1 more year wouldnt hurt.

Yea, I see that now... Not sure if it changes my mind because look what happened to Grigorenko.... Played few minutes, didn't play well, and was sent back down. Cap stays on the team, and ELC keeps ticking.

I hope he plays well enough for me to say, I don't give a darn, we have to keep him. I wanted him to stay last season. But at this point, I think 1 more year wouldnt hurt.
- youarewrong

Grigorenko and Laughton are completely different players. Grigorenko needs top-6 minutes to be effective. Laughton doesn't.

But you're right, it's best to make him dominate a bunch of 17-year-olds. In fact, let's let him play as an overager next year. Then maybe he can play in Sweden for a few seasons and come back when he's 26 or so to make sure he's ready before we "waste" a year of his ELC.

Yea, I see that now... Not sure if it changes my mind because look what happened to Grigorenko.... Played few minutes, didn't play well, and was sent back down. Cap stays on the team, and ELC keeps ticking.

I hope he plays well enough for me to say, I don't give a darn, we have to keep him. I wanted him to stay last season. But at this point, I think 1 more year wouldnt hurt.
- youarewrong

I have a feeling you'll be changing your tune when he comes out and plays well in the preseason.

Sending him back to juniors could have the same result the Flyers experienced with Couts and Schenn when they played in the AHL during the lockout. They got bored and developed bad habits. Those bad habits carried over.

I have a feeling you'll be changing your tune when he comes out and plays well in the preseason.

Sending him back to juniors could have the same result the Flyers experienced with Couts and Schenn when they played in the AHL during the lockout. They got bored and developed bad habits. Those bad habits carried over.
- PhillySportsGuy

BUT THEY'RE WASTING HIS ELC YEARS WHEN HE SUCKS MID-WAY THROUGH THIS SEASON!!!

He's probably already capable of handling a 4th line role right now...no question about that
- Jsaquella

I noticed in flight plan and seeing film from camp that he is much larger across the shoulders. NIce to see he has been hitting the gym. He seemed somewhat slight to me last season.