Laughton is only about to be 22 (it's crazy to think he's only one year younger than Coots...still young though), and he showed glimmers of what he could be: sheltered winger with speed, some tenacity, and a nice shot and offensive touch. But there are red flags about his game so far that imo go a bit deeper than fan impatience, and may impede his potential if they don't disappear. I think questioning his ceiling at the moment is legitimate. Doesn't mean he doesn't have more to offer still.
That said, next year he should be played exclusively at wing. Maybe try him out with Couturier who has a knack for bringing out the best in players and covering their deficiencies. Maybe with Raffl at center. It will probably be with Cousins though. But I liked the two of them together so that's ok. What isn't ok is giving him no PP time. He has one of the best shots on the team.....why is he sitting on the bench the entire year? Makes zero sense to me. He saw 5 minutes to VDV's 8. I also want to see him on the PK full time. His speed looked good there. Stats back it up in SSS. - Mononoke
Location: I'd do anything to get you humans out of my forest! Joined: 07.19.2015
May 3 @ 10:21 PM ET
What red flags areyou referring to with laughton? - benjichronic
Hockey sense/IQ. More so matters for center...still need it at wing, but you can get by with less. I don't think he reads plays well in either end, puck on stick or off it. But he has enough finishing ability and speed, I think, to counteract that in a scoring role. He will learn I'm sure, but you can only improve IQ so much. I didn't mean red flags as in bust...just what could seperate him from say 2nd line player to bottom 6.
Location: me bitter? F-no i think it's hilarious Joined: 12.14.2011
May 3 @ 10:25 PM ET
How do you feel about the low shot totals and the lack of forward scoring? - mayorofangrytown
I'm sorry... It got surly at work... Anyway, I'm quite underwhelmed with the core of this team to say the least. Is Washington better, yes of course, but they rolled over us and with all that payroll it should have been more about lack pf depth scoring and less about having Amber Alerts put out for mega million dollar players. Only 5 skaters line up on each side so all this spin doctoring about all the pieces aren't there is just apologizing the poor performance of highly paid "star" players.
Hockey sense/IQ. More so matters for center...still need it at wing, but you can get by with less. I don't think he reads plays well in either end, puck on stick or off it. But he has enough finishing ability and speed, I think, to counteract that in a scoring role. He will learn I'm sure, but you can only improve IQ so much. I didn't mean red flags as in bust...just what could seperate him from say 2nd line player to bottom 6. - Mononoke
Okay I was just curious. I had previously thought that at times he looked a little confused almost like he didn't know where he should be on the ice. I know that's literally not what it was, just looked a little lost at times I thought. Liked his speed, if he could strengthen his shot a little bit, I think it could be a very very good asset to him (obviously). I'm willing to be patient with him for a few years though, something about his game intrigues me.
I'm sorry... It got surly at work... Anyway, I'm quite underwhelmed with the core of this team to say the least. Is Washington better, yes of course, but they rolled over us and with all that payroll it should have been more about lack pf depth scoring and less about having Amber Alerts put out for mega million dollar players. Only 5 skaters line up on each side so all this spin doctoring about all the pieces aren't there is just apologizing the poor performance of highly paid "star" players. - JoeRussomanno
I dont know WSH might actually just be that good. Crosby isn't exactly setting things on fire against them either. I agree that G and Jake in particular needed to show more but the blame is not their's to shoulder entirely.
Hockey sense/IQ. More so matters for center...still need it at wing, but you can get by with less. I don't think he reads plays well in either end, puck on stick or off it. But he has enough finishing ability and speed, I think, to counteract that in a scoring role. He will learn I'm sure, but you can only improve IQ so much. I didn't mean red flags as in bust...just what could seperate him from say 2nd line player to bottom 6. - Mononoke
I personally think it's premature to question his hockey sense and IQ. There are many scouting reports out there, from his junior career, that referenced Laughton as a smart player. One rookie season in the NHL doesn't change that. While I agree that based on this past season, he seemed to have a skill set better suited to the Wing, I think sometimes a player tries to play out of his skill set and do too much, and sort of lose his way. I think that has happened with Laughton this past season. I think he'll adjust, and play more within himself, and the scheme of team play.
"Laughton needs to get bigger and improve upon his overall explosiveness, however, he possesses many intangibles to be a good player, including superior hockey sense and high character.”
"Laughton is two-way center whose primary skills are on the defensive side of the ledger. He is a hard-worker with a consistent approach to the game and plenty of smarts."
Okay I was just curious. I had previously thought that at times he looked a little confused almost like he didn't know where he should be on the ice. I know that's literally not what it was, just looked a little lost at times I thought. Liked his speed, if he could strengthen his shot a little bit, I think it could be a very very good asset to him (obviously). I'm willing to be patient with him for a few years though, something about his game intrigues me. - benjichronic
I think you're right, he was lost at times. That's why his ice time was low at times. It's a big jump to the NHL, from Juniors and half a AHL season. I think it's way too early to question his hockey sense.
(frank) Slasher Letang and the glass house that is his skull. He's a dirty whiner.
Of course Pens fans think Backstrom's leap over/into Letang was the worst hit of the game. Cause they're Pens fans. - wolfhounds
definitely wasnt. but the youtube uploader can classify it as "brutal" as they want. people trying to say he deserved the same amount as orpik are delusional.
definitely wasnt. but the youtube uploader can classify it as "brutal" as they want. people trying to say he deserved the same amount as orpik are delusional. - stayinthefnnet
We're rooting for the same team.
Letang also decked Ovechkin. It was nice.
His hit on Backstrom- definitely suspension worthy. Not nearly as brutal as Orpik though.
