BUT THEY'RE WASTING HIS ELC YEARS WHEN HE SUCKS MID-WAY THROUGH THIS SEASON!!!
- jmatchett383

Laughton seems like the type of player who will battle through the rookie wall when it comes. Like I said earlier: nothing can prepare a player for the rigors of an NHL schedule. He needs to experience it at some point. You can't keep waiting if he's ready to take on the challenge.

Laughton seems like the type of player who will battle through the rookie wall when it comes. Like I said earlier: nothing can prepare a player for the rigors of an NHL schedule. He needs to experience it at some point. You can't keep waiting if he's ready to take on the challenge.
- PhillySportsGuy

Maybe when he's like 25 he'll be ready, but not until then. Can he "retire" for a few years like Kovalchuk and then come back when he's ready?

All this debate over Laughton. It really should be quite simple. If he's one of the best 12 forwards during camp he should make the team. If he's not send him back to Juniors.

All this debate over Laughton. It really should be quite simple. If he's one of the best 12 forwards during camp he should make the team. If he's not send him back to Jumiors.
- PLindbergh31

Maybe when he's like 25 he'll be ready, but not until then. Can he "retire" for a few years like Kovalchuk and then come back when he's ready?
- jmatchett383

I'm picturing Laughton as a 30 year old playing against little kids with Flyers scouts watching saying "I think he could use more seasoning"

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

I'm pretty sure I said that I hope he plays so well the Flyers have no choice but to keep him. I'm pretty sure I said that. I want him to be so awesome he has to make the team. But if he doesn't.... if its just a boarderline call, then for all the reasons I mentioned, I think its best for all involved that he goes back for 1 more year.

All this debate over Laughton. It really should be quite simple. If he's one of the best 12 forwards during camp he should make the team. If he's not send him back to Juniors.
- PLindbergh31

I think the argument is more about overall philosophy of how to develop young players. Laughton is being used as a specific example.

I'm picturing Laughton as a 30 year old playing against little kids with Flyers scouts watching saying "I think he could use more seasoning"
- PhillySportsGuy

With a small group of Hockeybuzz posters screaming eeeeee ellllllllll ceeeeee at him nonstop.

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

The Cap does not stay on the team. It's no different then assigning a player to the AHL.

I'm pretty sure I said that I hope he plays so well the Flyers have no choice but to keep him. I'm pretty sure I said that. I want him to be so awesome he has to make the team. But if he doesn't.... if its just a boarderline call, then for all the reasons I mentioned, I think its best for all involved that he goes back for 1 more year.
- youarewrong

But you're making it seem like he needs to play incredibly well to make the team. It sounds like you want him sent down, but if he wows you, you will keep him up.

IMO, he needs to demonstrate he's one of the 12 best forwards on the team. He needs to show that he will contribute. He doesn't need to wow me with PPG numbers or spectacular play.

Laughton seems like the type of player who will battle through the rookie wall when it comes. Like I said earlier: nothing can prepare a player for the rigors of an NHL schedule. He needs to experience it at some point. You can't keep waiting if he's ready to take on the challenge.
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree 100%. Let him get through those growing pains now. And when this team is really ready to contend. Laughton will be further along in his development, and really ready to contribute. In theory any way.

he looked physically ready......if he earns it he can stay....

I agree 100%. Let him get through those growing pains now. And when this team is really ready to contend. Laughton will be further along in his development, and really ready to contribute. In theory any way.
- MJL

Exactly. If Laughton gets through an entire season, he will be further along in his development. He will be ready to really contribute earlier.

People like to compare schiefle and Couts because one was brought along quickly while the other was brought along slowly. The jury is still out on which one will be better, but I think it's safe to expect more from Couturier THIS season.

- hammarby31

I guess that is too easy of a concept.

What I believe will happen is Talbot will move up to the third line, and the 4th line spot will be a rotation of Mcginn, Rosehill etc..

Unless this Raffl kid shows a ton of promise in camp. But expecting him to crack the top 3 lines is probably unrealistic.

I think the argument is more about overall philosophy of how to develop young players. Laughton is being used as a specific example.
- PhillySportsGuy

If he's good enough to make the team, his development will take care of itself. Worrying about burning a year of his ELC shouldn't be a consideration if he's one of the best 12 forwards.

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

Perhaps, we'll see.

Though, if Laughts is able to average 15 goals per year (Madden's totals with the Debs)as a third line center and play the defense that Madden brought, I'd be happy.

Random thoughts...

Why doesnt the NHL revamp the way the draft order is picked? Its baffling me thinking about it at work. Follow my thought process here. If you make it by points earned after official playoff elimination, teams that suck still have an advantage cause they will be eliminated first thus more games to earn points in. Imagine having what would otherwise be a meaningless game at the end of the year turn into whether or not your teams gets the first overall pick?

I guess that is too easy of a concept.

What I believe will happen is Talbot will move up to the third line, and the 4th line spot will be a rotation of Mcginn, Rosehill etc..

Unless this Raffl kid shows a ton of promise in camp. But expecting him to crack the top 3 lines is probably unrealistic.
- PLindbergh31

Ill be honest... I will be completely surprised if Raffl makes noise.

The Cap does not stay on the team. It's no different then assigning a player to the AHL.
- MJL

Doesn't only 800k or something like that come off the cap when you send them to the AHL now?

Random thoughts...

Why doesnt the NHL revamp the way the draft order is picked? Its baffling me thinking about it at work. Follow my thought process here. If you make it by points earned after official playoff elimination, teams that suck still have an advantage cause they will be eliminated first thus more games to earn points in. Imagine having what would otherwise be a meaningless game at the end of the year turn into whether or not your teams gets the first overall pick?
- JFlyers00

So, if you really, truly suck, you will pick lower than a team that only marginally sucks???

So Jagr leaves camp already with an injury or something, Who seen this coming

Doesn't only 800k or something like that come off the cap when you send them to the AHL now?
- JFlyers00

It's not exactly that easy. That cap is calculated daily. But, in effect, his cap hit would be pro-rated for his duration on the roster, and the rest would be eliminated if he's sent back to juniors (difference between junior and AHL demotion). Again, Grigorenko is a good case study.

But you're making it seem like he needs to play incredibly well to make the team. It sounds like you want him sent down, but if he wows you, you will keep him up.

IMO, he needs to demonstrate he's one of the 12 best forwards on the team. He needs to show that he will contribute. He doesn't need to wow me with PPG numbers or spectacular play.
- PhillySportsGuy

Too me he has to give me a reason to keep him at a higher salary and starting and ELC, without the ability to send down and recall to AHL.

So if he and Adam Hall are considered about the same, then I give Hall the spot because he is cheaper, and as a business I can have the same product for a cheaper price and make Laughton a bit older before he is arbitration eligable or UFA elegible.

It's not exactly that easy. That cap is calculated daily. But, in effect, his cap hit would be pro-rated for his duration on the roster, and the rest would be eliminated if he's sent back to juniors (difference between junior and AHL demotion). Again, Grigorenko is a good case study.
- jmatchett383

You and him are talking about two different things.

Perhaps, we'll see.

Though, if Laughts is able to average 15 goals per year (Madden's totals with the Debs)as a third line center and play the defense that Madden brought, I'd be happy.
- 77rams

I've never liked player comparisons. Especially when you're comparing him to a Selke winner.

I think we should expect Laughton to develop into a good two-way forward who can play in any game situation. You can never really have enough of those types of players.