Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Laughton's Development

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Laughton's Development
- bmeltzer

Thanks Bill, well done as always!

I know there were a ton of players on the ice yesterday, but was there any player in particular that stood out in your opinion?

First off, I'd like to keep Adam Hall. And I certainly don't want our top rookie getting 6 minutes a night on the 4th line. And if he's a center and the Flyers want him at that position then where does this kid fit in over the next 5 years?

First off, I'd like to keep Adam Hall. And I certainly don't want our top rookie getting 6 minutes a night on the 4th line. And if he's a center and the Flyers want him at that position then where does this kid fit in over the next 5 years?
- Flyers1218

I think if he beats out Hall, he will get more than 6 minutes per game. Figure 7-8 mins of even strength plus 1 to 2 mins on the pk. I don't think it will hurt his development whatsoever to get 8-10 minutes per night against the best competition in the world.

If Laughton makes the team, then great.

If he doesn't, another year in junior won't kill him.

Having the upside of Mike Richards is a pretty good compliment for this kid.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Laughton's Development
- bmeltzer

So... Laughton and Hall battle for 4th line center... If Hall loses - Does Hall pick up the 13th spot, bumping Rosehill the minors? Or, if Hall loses by a small margin. Laughton and Hall play line 4, and Talbot or Rinaldo moves to the 3rd line. Or, depending on Gagne's camp play, he gets tossed into the mix. It's all so confusing. Just drop the puck, I'm done with speculation, etc.. I'm ready for some hockey!

First off, I'd like to keep Adam Hall. And I certainly don't want our top rookie getting 6 minutes a night on the 4th line. And if he's a center and the Flyers want him at that position then where does this kid fit in over the next 5 years?
- Flyers1218

I'd put that at more like 12 minutes a night, factoring in PK time as well as spot play on a higher line.

What about straka? How is he doing?

So... Laughton and Hall battle for 4th line center... If Hall loses - Does Hall pick up the 13th spot, bumping Rosehill the minors? Or, if Hall loses by a small margin. Laughton and Hall play line 4, and Talbot or Rinaldo moves to the 3rd line. Or, depending on Gagne's camp play, he gets tossed into the mix. It's all so confusing. Just drop the puck, I'm done with speculation, etc.. I'm ready for some hockey!
- leon neon

Gagne is not in camp, nor are they going to be signing him according to Holmgren

If Laughton makes the team, then great.

If he doesn't, another year in junior won't kill him.

Having the upside of Mike Richards is a pretty good compliment for this kid.
- johndewar

On ice comparisons is a good compliment. Actually - in terms of off ice - he sounds more mature than Richards. Which may not be fair - the role of captain - highlighted his immaturity. I still think that if Richards wasn't the captain, he'd still be a Flyer.

Gagne is not in camp, nor are they going to be signing him according to Holmgren
- BiggE

Oh... I didn't catch that. I thought he was attending in as a try out.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Laughton's Development
- bmeltzer

Definitely the most intriguing storyline of camp, other than Giroux's wrist.

Gagne is not in camp, nor are they going to be signing him according to Holmgren
- BiggE

I found it pretty bizarre how they completely seemed to shut the door on Gagne.

Seems to me that if Adam Hall is truly one of a teams 12 best forwards, that team has problems. I liked that fact that he was resigned, but figured it was for a 13th/14th forward role.

On ice comparisons is a good compliment. Actually - in terms of off ice - he sounds more mature than Richards. Which may not be fair - the role of captain - highlighted his immaturity. I still think that if Richards wasn't the captain, he'd still be a Flyer.
- leon neon

To this day, I take Homer at his word that he wasn't looking to trade Richards and that he simply got a "Godfather" offer for him.

Captain or not, he's the type of guy that makes a positive impact on your hockey team.

I found it pretty bizarre how they completely seemed to shut the door on Gagne.
- johndewar

I have to think there are health issues that we don't know about. I have a feeling we are going to be hearing about Gagne's retirement pretty soon.

I have to think there are health issues that we don't know about. I have a feeling we are going to be hearing about Gagne's retirement pretty soon.
- BiggE

I think Gagne will catch on somewhere at some point.

I think Gagne will catch on somewhere at some point.
- MJL

Maybe, if it's not a health issue, perhaps he's just asking for too much $$ and no one is desperate enough for forward help to meet his price.

Thanks Bill, well done as always!

I know there were a ton of players on the ice yesterday, but was there any player in particular that stood out in your opinion?
- BiggE

Hard to say.... I saw some of Group A and some of Group B (with Giroux on the ice) but we were elsewhere in building doing media availability during much of the time.

Also there really wasn't any game situation sort of stuff yesterday and no contact.

would rather have laughton earn a 3rd line wing job than a 4th line center spot. he needs quality mins or he'd be better being the BMOC in Jrs...the ELC aspect is a factor as well.

I have to think there are health issues that we don't know about. I have a feeling we are going to be hearing about Gagne's retirement pretty soon.
- BiggE

I don't know.

It seemed to go from an assumption that the Flyers would sign him, at some point, to backing away from him like he hadn't bathed in months.

I don't know.

It seemed to go from an assumption that the Flyers would sign him, at some point, to backing away from him like he hadn't bathed in months.
- johndewar

That's why I think it may be a health issue.

Definitely the most intriguing storyline of camp, other than Giroux's wrist.
- bradleyc4

You mean his finger, and I don't think that story is actually very intriguing.

Hard to say.... I saw some of Group A and some of Group B (with Giroux on the ice) but we were elsewhere in building doing media availability during much of the time.

Also there really wasn't any game situation sort of stuff yesterday and no contact.
- bmeltzer

Fair enough, thanks. When will they cut down to a more reasonable number of players? 60+ is an awful lot even for camp.

I'm really hoping he does make the team. He should be able to bring more to the ice offensively than Hall, although Hall's probably better at the dot.

On a side note, does anyone know why Mark Alt is not in NHL 14? I know he played in college last year, but he's an AHL player now (well, once he gets healthy). Would you expect him in the next set of roster updates?