I think Laughton is fine in the NHL. I actually think he should be used more and allowed to play through mistakes. His roll is likely a third line center/winger.

I would prefer lines look like this:

Voracek - Giroux - Simmonds
Weal - Couturier - Schenn
Raffl - Laughton - Read


That would be my top 9. I know people will scoff at weal on the 2nd line but he is a playmaker in the AHL so I would want to see him in that roll in the NHL. ALso the Couturier/Schenn line needs a playmaker on that wing.

With Raffl and Read with Laughton I think that helps with defensive coverages and also has 3 guys that can skate and probably pop in some offense.
- J35Bacher

When the center is suspect defensively and can't win faceoffs it's not really a 3rd line. You'd have to go with Laughton-Raffl-Read if it was facing any kind of decent opposition.

When Couturier is healthy, there are enough forwards to have a solid top 9 and a 4th line that gets used sparingly. There's no reason to have a 4A and a 4B apart from Hakstol's mistaken belief that White and VdV are 3rd line quality players.

Voracek-Giroux-Simmonds
Read-Couturier-Schenn
Raffl-Bellemare-Gagner
VdV-White-Weal
Umberger

PKers: Coots-Read, Bellemare-VdV, Giroux-Raffl.

Laughton should be in the AHL playing 20 minutes a game.
- Feanor

Laughton, at least if Dave Isaac & Frank Seravalli did the math right, is no longer waiver exempt. Sending him to the AHL would mean losing him on waivers.

That's why I suggested moving him to wing on Couturier's line. Give him a simple north-south job and let him build confidence.

I also really don't want VDV on the PK. Even in a lessened role, I think he gets too much ice time.

That's the trouble, and further is, there's not really anyone else who can assume the roles.

I get the hesitation on bringing up kids-they'd have to assume roles they might not be ready for and honestly they may not be able immediately be an improvement on the guys that are currently on the roster.

I'd be willing to assume that risk. I think that they should take a look at pending RFAs, even though they still control them. Straka and Cousins have limited NHL experience already. As does Leier. I'd weigh each case, but strongly consider bringing them up.
- Jsaquella

just spit balling as no idea how he has played, maybe a guy like Aaron Palushaj as he has some nhl experience and played in the KHL.

Common, it was always a pipe dream, lol.

Team's making strides forward, tho... that's awesome to see.
- Tomahawk

tis true. especially on the cap. next year is when it starts to really get fun, I think

I feel like the playoffs are a pipe dream now.
- funmaster18

Yep

Laughton, at least if Dave Isaac & Frank Seravalli did the math right, is no longer waiver exempt. Sending him to the AHL would mean losing him on waivers.
- Jsaquella

They're wrong.

https://www.hockeyscap.co...calculator/scott_laughton

franked
- Scoob

scooooooooooooob

They may as well call up LaBarbera for the Caps game. They're going to have field day at ES and on the PP with Couturier out, so whatever goalie plays will get strafed by the league's best offense.
- Feanor

What is the most goals given up by the Flyers in one game?

I believe their record without Couturier is 1-6-2.
- Feanor

#fancystat

They're wrong.

https://www.hockeyscap.co...calculator/scott_laughton
- Feanor

Then send him down and let him play 20 a night

Remember when folks thought you could simply just slot Laughton into Couturier's role?

That was fun, right?
- johndewar

frankin' dummies

What is the most goals given up by the Flyers in one game?
- Scoob

13 I think, against Chicago way back around 1970

Laughton, at least if Dave Isaac & Frank Seravalli did the math right, is no longer waiver exempt. Sending him to the AHL would mean losing him on waivers.
- Jsaquella

Didn't read it, but I'm assuming they're saying he's in his 5th season due to the games he played in 12/13, which is wrong.

13 I think, against Chicago way back around 1970
- BiggE

AHL goalie + national television = Caps should go for it

AHL goalie + national television = Caps should go for it
- Scoob

Dare we call up Stolarz?

Then send him down and let him play 20 a night
- Jsaquella

Might as well. He looks lost out there right now, but I suppose there's something to be said for just playing through it. It's not like they are going anywhere this year.

Dare we call up Stolarz?
- jmatchett383

Why do you hate him?

When the center is suspect defensively and can't win faceoffs it's not really a 3rd line. You'd have to go with Laughton-Raffl-Read if it was facing any kind of decent opposition.
- Feanor

If this team is double digits behind in the wild card race after the all-star game then I don't care. I play Laughton and have him work through mistakes.

I also look to sell and start getting assets.

And I know I am on my own but I would make Simmonds available and try to get a huge return. Maybe some type of deal like the Coyotes did with Rangers for Yandle.

AZ got: John Moore, Duclair, 1st rounder and 2nd Rounder
Rangers got: Yandle, Chris Summers, 4th rounder.

Dare we call up Stolarz?
- jmatchett383

labareraeraeraera

13 I think, against Chicago way back around 1970
- BiggE

Very close, it was 12 against Chicago back in '69. I had not yet blessed this fine earth yet.

Aside from a goalie having a brainfart like Mason did against Florida, it's rare that you lose (or win) a game solely based on 1 player. But to think that Umberger has done much positive this year would be incorrect, in my opinion.
- jmatchett383

I didn't state that Umberger has done much positive this year.

Why do you hate him?
- Scoob

I don't. Just not sure if we need to "let him develop" despite being the best candidate for the job.

Very close, it was 12 against Chicago back in '69. I had not yet blessed this fine earth yet.
- hockeylover

I'm an old bastard and I wasn't even a thought at that point

I didn't state that Umberger has done much positive this year.
- MJL

And I don't think anyone stated that we lost last night's game solely because of Umberger (unless I missed something) so I didn't see why you thought it necessary to refute the idea.

I'm an old bastard and I wasn't even a thought at that point
- Jsaquella

Yep, I would still percolate for another 7 years.