Flyers’ Captaincy Candidates: Scott Laughton

Date Published: 10-20-2022

Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Here we are now, a week into the 2022-2023 NHL season. The Flyers have played two games, starting the season well with wins in their first two before facing two contenders in the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. Before the back-to-back in Florida gets underway tomorrow night, let’s identify and examine some possibilities for the captaincy vacancy on this current team. John Tortorella has made it known that the captaincy is not a priority and he even went as far today as saying he probably won’t have one all year. But, if a leader does emerge from this team, there’s a possibility he could don the “C” for the orange and black before the season ends. Let’s identify some possibilities.

Scott Laughton

Laughton, the only player who was given an “A” for the first two games, has become an emotional leader for the Flyers. He probably will never develop into the 20th overall pick he was expected to be back in 2012. He still has the impact of a 20th overall pick. Laughton plays in every situation and does have a sneaky amount of skill to his game. I, for one, do not ever remember seeing him be stopped on a breakaway. 

A veteran of 443 career games now, Laughton has compiled 157 total points. Not a large number by any stretch, but considering he was the only player to earn an “A” for the first two games of the season, he is firmly in the mix for the captaincy. 

Laughton’s recent extension shows the front office is committed to him and that he is committed to the team, coaching staff, front office, and city. There is always a market for a player of Laughton’s services. A similar player to Laughton, Barclay Goodrow, won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lightning and was a huge part of their team. He added toughness, depth, and was hard to play against. He added grit to a team that was all finesse. The year prior, the Lightning, who finished the regular season with 128 points, were swept in the first round of the playoffs by Tortortella’s Columbus Blue Jackets. 

Players of Laughton’s caliber are hard to come by and hard to develop. They play with an edge but don’t cross the line. They aren’t afraid to drop the gloves and stick up for themselves or their teammates. He is a plug and play guy anywhere in the lineup. He can center the fourth line while playing on the top powerplay. He can start on the left wing of the first line while centering a penalty kill unit. 

Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store

Laughton’s versatility, attitude, and personality on and off the ice make him a very valuable player for the Flyers. Giving Laughton the captaincy would set an example for the young players that how you carry yourself, regardless of expectations, is just as important as how you play.