I never saw him as a winger, especially with what we've seen in the development of Sean Couturier. I did have him penciled in as our fourth line center but it didn't exactly do much for him his first time around, so it makes sense.

My issue is this. What I take from the link I posted is, they're really pushing for Sean Couturier to play in the top six if they can move LeCavalier. Nothing wrong with this except what happens when Laughton proves to be a top 6 player someday? I've already faced countless arguments defending LeCavalier playing center, while Schenn plays wing but it's looking more and more like Schenn is going to have to be a winger regardless. As much as the big question for Schenn has been center or wing, the next biggest question whether or not Vinny gets shipped out is, how do we get Laughton in the top 6 within the next 3 to 5 years?
- SuperSchennBros

I don't see why Laughton has to be in the top 6.

yeah. im far from a lindros apologist.

ive dealt with enough oh he was better than mario/jagr arguments over my life.

but, i try to be fair and realistic. from a purely looking back at him as a player thing, considering his legacy, ect, i dont immediately go Oh he doesnt have a cup. discard him. i think that would be hasty.

but the injuries are an unfortunate reality when evaluating him.
- stayinthefnnet

The injuries robbed him of his legacy for sure.

My point is dont tell me I cant kick that sissys ass.
- GOA88

i dont know you or your physical prowess, and again i really dont think this is bias shining through here, because you could interchange crosby with the majority of the league.

even if you would come victorious by some measure, i doubt any of these fights would be a slam dunk ass kicking.

The injuries robbed him of his legacy for sure.
- GOA88

yup and thats a shame.

so when people say oh among all time its hard to evaluate.

but when they say in his prime, its definitely more speculative but i can at least see where theyre going with it.

He constantly put himself ahead of his teams and his teammates... hard to forgive that one, too.
- Tomahawk

I don't think that is true at all.

Was it the same summer where we made he choice to target Timonen as our next number one defensemn when Chara was out there?
- SuperSchennBros

Chara was a free agent in summer 2006.

Kimmo was due to become a free agent in summer 2007.

I don't see why Laughton has to be in the top 6.
- MJL

Not right now, of course not but if he develops into something resembling what Sean Couturier is becoming, wouldn't he want him in the top 6 in 5 years from now?

Ok I get it, no one thinks Lindros was a good fighter because he didn't fight goons. Fine, agree to disagree.
- MBFlyerfan

He was a heck of a fighter and he did fight goons..

Bob Boughner x 2, Gino Odjick, Marty McSorley, Bob Sweeney, Stephane Quintal, Todd Simpson, Cale Hulse... he didnt just pick on smaller guys.

yup and thats a shame.

so when people say oh among all time its hard to evaluate.

but when they say in his prime, its definitely more speculative but i can at least see where theyre going with it.
- stayinthefnnet

The way I look at is, when he played and was healthy. What was his impact on the game? What was his PPG average and such. With that considered... He was one of the top 5 talents to ever play the game. I am in no way saying he was better than Lemieux or Gretzky though.

Chara was a free agent in summer 2006.
- Feanor

Easily the single best UFA signing of the past decade.

Easily the single best UFA signing of the past decade.
- Tomahawk

The anti-Bryz.

Easily the single best UFA signing of the past decade.
- Tomahawk

I am a Chara fan. Would have loved for him to be a Flyer. But we had better.... Pronger. but only for a short time....

He was a heck of a fighter and he did fight goons..

Bob Boughner x 2, Gino Odjick, Marty McSorley, Bob Sweeney, Stephane Quintal, Todd Simpson, Cale Hulse... he didnt just pick on smaller guys.
- jak521

Stephane Quintal was a goon? Montreal's defenseman Stephane Quintal?

The way I look at is, when he played and was healthy. What was his impact on the game? What was his PPG average and such. With that considered... He was one of the top 5 talents to ever play the game. I am in no way saying he was better than Lemieux or Gretzky though.
- GOA88

careful now. regardless of whether you could beat him in an arm wrestling match or hopscotch or the like, i could slap that same qualifier onto a guy with a jersey number one below.

(and when jmatch says donald brashear? i will be done for the day haha)

He was a heck of a fighter and he did fight goons..

Bob Boughner x 2, Gino Odjick, Marty McSorley, Bob Sweeney, Stephane Quintal, Todd Simpson, Cale Hulse... he didnt just pick on smaller guys.
- jak521

I will always love him for this one:

Easily the single best UFA signing of the past decade.
- Tomahawk

literally franchise altering .

careful now. regardless of whether you could beat him in an arm wrestling match or hopscotch or the like, i could slap that same qualifier onto a guy with a jersey number one below.

(and when jmatch says donald brashear? i will be done for the day haha)
- stayinthefnnet

Ummm ok???? you lost me

Easily the single best UFA signing of the past decade.
- Tomahawk

Mostly because no team has dared to allow such talents walk since.

The anti-Bryz.
- Feanor

Man, did OTT (frank) up by choosing Redden over Chara.

Easily the single best UFA signing of the past decade.
- Tomahawk

I'll take Niedermayer over him. But it's close.

Man, did OTT (frank) up by choosing Redden over Chara.
- Tomahawk

I understand the decision behind it. Redden was home grown and a proven number 1 before Chara even arrived to Ottawa but the phyiscal tools were on display for all to see when it came to Chara. It's not even like Chara's game has changed much since playing in Ottawa.

Man, did OTT (frank) up by choosing Redden over Chara.
- Tomahawk

Oh yeah, I'm betting the fans in Ottawa still rue that one.

careful now. regardless of whether you could beat him in an arm wrestling match or hopscotch or the like, i could slap that same qualifier onto a guy with a jersey number one below.

(and when jmatch says donald brashear? i will be done for the day haha)
- stayinthefnnet

Donald Brashear beat the balls off some low-level MMA French Canadian guy a few years ago. It was over in like 25 seconds.

Stephane Quintal was a goon? Montreal's defenseman Stephane Quintal?
- SuperSchennBros

6'3 230 lbs and 113 career fights... 243 career points. When you almost have as many fights as points... yea I'd argue you are pretty goonish.

Ummm ok???? you lost me
- GOA88

if i said crosby was top 5 all time, would you tell me to kick rocks?