I disagree. The fact that they picked him with the 20th pick in the draft gives us a pretty good idea of how they projected him. A team doesn't pick a player in the first round that they project as a bottom 6 forward. I think there's a lot of fans, that have penciled in Laughton as a 3rd line player, and there's a lot of shiny new toys and a new model that they fancy. If you're going to make a deal like that, better be damn sure you're getting an all star caliber player as much as you can, or it's not worth it.
- MJL

I guess we just differ on that. I believe teams that are taking a realistic approach to projecting prospects could definitely see a lot of late 1st round prospects as ideal 3rd liners for their career.

Neither of us really know how they projected him at the draft, and even if they did see him as a good 3rd liner realistically, they might've also rated him higher because of his work ethic and intangibles. But neither of us really know. Their projection for him could have improved or diminished since the draft. He's played 3 more seasons of hockey since then, including an extended look in the NHL. In fact, they probably do view him differently today than they did on draft day.

All I'm saying is that we don't know how they project him, but for a trade like that, they have to take how they project him, and how they project some of the guys who will be there at 26-30, and weigh it against how they project a guy who will be there in the top 15 or top 12.

In my opinion as a fan, I'd support moving up, but I'd be looking for other pieces that aren't Laughton to move up with. I personally project Laughton as the kind of guy that you put in your bottom 6 to put it over the top, and provide excellent leadership. I project him as the type of 3rd line center you play for 16+ minutes every night in all situations. The type of bottom 6 guy that really improves your chances in the playoffs, and sets you apart from some of the poorer built teams that bring in bottom 6 rentals at the deadline cause they don't have the depth themselves.
- JAKEw1234

Claude Giroux (27)
DRAFTED: PHI / 2006 NHL ENTRY DRAFT
ROUND: 1ST (22ND OVERALL)

Brayden Schenn (23)
DRAFTED: LAK / 2009 NHL ENTRY DRAFT
ROUND: 1ST (5TH OVERALL)

Sean Couturier (22)
DRAFTED: PHI / 2011 NHL ENTRY DRAFT
ROUND: 1ST (8TH OVERALL)

Scott Laughton (20)
DRAFTED: PHI / 2012 NHL ENTRY DRAFT
ROUND: 1ST (20TH OVERALL)

All four of these players are young and were drafted as centers. Three of the four players have been constants at center since coming to the Philadelphia Flyers. All of which have been drafted high. All of which MIGHT be top 6 players. Someone make the choice as to where they all fit on the current roster without making things overly complicated.

That would be nice and its the move I want them to make.

Provorov/Zacha or Barzal/Zacha could end up rivaling the picks of Richards/Carter.
- hereticpride

It could. It's a fairly hefty price to pay. Laughton is a good prospect, who could end up as a good second line center. But Zacha has a load of talent, could be a steal if he makes it past ten and would be a good pick at 7, TBH.

I'm saying if you're sitting there at 28, and Zacha falls to 10-12, I think dealing Laughton is worth it, especially if you go Rantanen or Barzal at 7

Doesn't this go back to yesterday's conversation? If the choice is too tough to make, go by a position of need?
- SuperSchennBros

Yep. Me, I'm happy with either. I have 5-7 guys I'd be happy with at 7th overall.

Yep. Me, I'm happy with either. I have 5-7 guys I'd be happy with at 7th overall.
- Jsaquella

list them

list them
- conkey

Barzal
Provorov
Rantanen
Werenski
Zacha
Meier
Crouse

Claude Giroux (27)
DRAFTED: PHI / 2006 NHL ENTRY DRAFT
ROUND: 1ST (22ND OVERALL)

Brayden Schenn (23)
DRAFTED: LAK / 2009 NHL ENTRY DRAFT
ROUND: 1ST (5TH OVERALL)

Sean Couturier (22)
DRAFTED: PHI / 2011 NHL ENTRY DRAFT
ROUND: 1ST (8TH OVERALL)

Scott Laughton (20)
DRAFTED: PHI / 2012 NHL ENTRY DRAFT
ROUND: 1ST (20TH OVERALL)

All four of these players are young and were drafted as centers. Three of the four players have been constants at center since coming to the Philadelphia Flyers. All of which have been drafted high. All of which MIGHT be top 6 players. Someone make the choice as to where they all fit on the current roster without making things overly complicated.
- SuperSchennBros

Yea, it's hard to project players. Development is an unpredictable thing. Again, all they can go on is how they project players as pros. Hindsight is 20/20, and they can't foresee players exceeding expectations, or failing to meet them.

list them
- conkey

Barzal, Provorov, Rantanen, Werenski, Zacha, then Meier and Crouse. Maybe flip Zacha & Werenski.

Barzal
Provorov
Rantanen
Werenski
Zacha
Meier
Crouse
- ob18

ty

Barzal, Provorov, Rantanen, Werenski, Zacha, then Meier and Crouse. Maybe flip Zacha & Werenski.
- Jsaquella

ty

ty
- conkey

We share a brain

We share a brain
- Jsaquella

It's been part of many conversations

ty
- conkey

I have no specific order, JSaq does.

We share a brain
- Jsaquella

that really was creepy

Yea, it's hard to project players. Development is an unpredictable thing. Again, all they can go on is how they project players as pros. Hindsight is 20/20, and they can't foresee players exceeding expectations, or failing to meet them.
- JAKEw1234

Within this current debate, I'm seeing a point being made that Laughton and Couturier are top 6 forwards but not seeing a solution that gets them both into the top 6 for the Philadelphia Flyers.

I have no specific order, JSaq does.
- ob18

It's kind of specific. I got the two front runners, then a fluid 3,4 & 5, then a fluid 6/7

that really was creepy
- conkey

We have had numerous talks about the draft, and both watch a lot of games

It's kind of specific. I got the two front runners, then a fluid 3,4 & 5, then a fluid 6/7
- Jsaquella

I could put them in an order but in reality I'd be happy with any of them

I could put them in an order but in reality I'd be happy with any of them
- ob18

I'd be OK with any of them, but happier with the ones I listed first.

I'd be OK with any of them, but happier with the ones I listed first.
- Jsaquella

Within this current debate, I'm seeing a point being made that Laughton and Couturier are top 6 forwards but not seeing a solution that gets them both into the top 6 for the Philadelphia Flyers.
- SuperSchennBros

Im not seeing where you got that from.

- ob18

I (frank)ING WANT MATHEW BARZAL TO BE A FLYER, GODDAMNIT!!!

I (frank)ING WANT MATHEW BARZAL TO BE A FLYER, GODDAMNIT!!!
- Jsaquella

^

I (frank)ING WANT MATHEW BARZAL TO BE A FLYER, GODDAMNIT!!!
- Jsaquella

You've made that one clear. I would welcome him as well.

You've made that one clear. I would welcome him as well.
- ob18

I can't help it, the more I watch, the more I like. Freely admit I'm biased.