When thinking of the Flyers overall makeup of their team, some people think of some household names like Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, Sean Couturier, Carter Hart, and Travis Konecny all for good reasons. One name that doesn’t come to some peoples’ minds is Scott Laughton, “ I am comfortable in that role and playing that,” Scott Laughton said with being back at Centering the fourth line, “I am excited to just get back on the ice and feel the puck a little bit and be back with the guys.”
Laughton has been working his tail off consistently throughout the entire season. He’s like the energizer bunny, Laughton never takes a shift off. He hits, creates some scoring opportunities, and just busts his butt every single shift. Laughton is one of those players that every team covets, mainly because of his versatility to play any position, and move up and down the lineup if need be, “I think as a player you always want to try to get to that next level,” Laughton said, “I believe last year was a good stepping stone for me to be more comfortable on the ice and making plays and playing up and down the lineup. I know AV likes to use his third and fourth lines and line matching and all that and on draws. Hopefully we can put trust in him and go out and do a good job. I feel good on the ice and I’m excited to get this thing rolling.”
The well, versatile Laughton, does everything the coaching staff asks of him, and does it well. Vigneault wants him to play Wing no problem, he wants him to play Center no problem. Laughton can play in the top nine or top six, as well, like he is currently doing with James van Riemsdyk and Jakub Voracek, “I think that is what you see out of winning team,” Laughton said, “Every team that has won it the last couple of years has a fourth line that is really effective and can still make plays and play out there. I think the game has changed a little bit in that way where you do not have as many fighters I guess if you want to say. Just guys that can create energy and things like that. Like you said, the internal competition is really good for our group and every player wants to play more minutes and be the best they can be. You want to continue that throughout the year and have younger guys push in and continue to build their role.”
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One thing every NHL team needs for success are solid bottom 9 and 12 lines. Even though, Laughton may not pot 20-25 goals, he is still very useful, and really makes the bottom 9 and 12 lines thrive. It just makes this young Flyers team that much more difficult to matchup with. It makes their opponents think twice, as to what defensemen to put on the ice for matchup purposes.
Laughton is a player that most teams covet. He’s a professional, he’s a good penalty killer, but he makes players better. The fourth line was one of the most consistent lines for the Flyers when Laughton was Centering Michael Raffl and Nicolas Aubé-Kubel before Sean Couturier’s injury. Whatever the case maybe, now JvR and Jakub Voracek get to benefit from a good player in Laughton.
