You are overrating what he brings to the table imo. He doesn't do anything particular well. Don't see him being vital to their championship aspirations.
- Striiker

Laughton is one of the few forwards we have that combines both speed and tenacity. He is very important to this team.

To me Laughton feels like the kind of player that scores that OT goal to win the Cup for a team, he just has that intangible that is hard to define but as MJL states is critical to winning a championship.
- jd250

I agree. He is like Hayes in that respect. The stats do not show the full impact partly because he was often playing with lower impact players. He showed this penchant for coming up big at crunch time last playoffs. He was moved all over, demoted, benched, and he was arguably one of our most dangerous forwards when he returned against the Isles.

So where do Todd Warriner and Tomi Kallio slot into the lineup this season?

Tampa bay also had the luxury of underpaying star guys due to taxes. We also have JVR $7M man on the third line.
- ClaudeFather

Which star do they have that is underpaid due to taxes?

Which star do they have that is underpaid due to taxes?
- MJL

Kucherov and Stamkos....Both at the time of signing could have gotten significantly more. Call it taxes or call it a haircut to stay on a good team. Stamkos is making slightly more then G and he got his deal after G.

Kucherov and Stamkos....Both at the time of signing could have gotten significantly more. Call it taxes or call it a haircut to stay on a good team. Stamkos is making slightly more then G and he got his deal after G.
- ClaudeFather

LOL. You're literally making it up as you go. Neither player is underpaid.

At this juncture you let Raffle walk. He has been a solid NHL player; one who doesn't get the respect he has earned. Though you need to replace him internally with an entry level contract.

If you are the GM what offer do you make to Laughton to keep his service's?
- Striiker

I could see Raffl, suedo-retire... quit the NHL and go play for an Austrian team. He is 32 yr old...

If Seattle follows the LV model... LV took Bellemare, I could see them take Laughton if he's exposed.

LOL. You're literally making it up as you go. Neither player is underpaid.
- MJL

So if they were on the Rangers or the Flyers, you think they would have signed the same deal? Spin zone MJL

So if they were on the Rangers or the Flyers, you think they would have signed the same deal? Spin zone MJL
- ClaudeFather

More evidence that you're just making it up.

More evidence that you're just making it up.
- MJL

They 100% took less but think what you want.

I know I'm showing my age here, but man, for anyone that didn't get a chance to see a healthy Tim Kerr in person... For a guy with below average skating (even for the day), what an absolute beast in front of the net and on the PP. No idea how a guy ends up being one of the most underrated players of his time with multiple seasons of over 50 goals, but he is somehow overlooked. I know it's the story of our lives, but if it weren't for injuries...
- daddytc

Yes. Kerr was 6'3" which seemed to be bigger back then. JVR should watch hours of Kerr tape... Morin, Ratcliffe should watch and learn as well.

My question just became, why is Oskar Lindblom a more important piece then Scott Laughton? Laughton can play center or wing, while Lindblom only plays wing. Prior to the Covid season, Laughton and Lindblom both played the entire season for the most part. Lindblom 33 points in 81 games, Laughton 32 points in 82 games. Laughton is 26. Lindblom is 24.
- SuperSchennBros

Oskar had 17 goals to Laughtons 12. As you pointed out.. Oskar is 2 years younger and has not really hit his break out season - he was on the brink (11 goals / 30 games) prior to getting sick. I don't get the feeling that Laughton will top 20 goals in his career, whereas Oskar will and 30+ is not out of reach. I believe both are important. Laughton type players adds the depth and pushes teams deep into the playoffs (as long as the Oskar's type players are doing their jobs).

You asked a really dumb question.
- ClaudeFather

So let me get this right. Lindblom is the more Superior player based on a a month and a half production over a year ago in 2019? Because prior to that the two players were on par because of the 2018-19 season.

I have news for you. While Lindblom had a lights out start to the regular 2019-20 season, Laughton led the charge of the 2019-20 playoffs.

So let me get this right. Lindblom is the more Superior player based on a a month and a half production over a year ago in 2019? Because prior to that the two players were on par because of the 2018-19 season.

I have news for you. While Lindblom had a lights out start to the regular 2019-20 season, Laughton led the charge of the 2019-20 playoffs.
- SuperSchennBros

I have news for you, one guy has been in the league much longer than the other. Let’s blame Oskar for him not being ready for the playoffs, he should have beaten cancer earlier.

It’s pretty clear Lindblom was on his way to a career year and is going to be looked at as a key part of the offense and is also a great two hundred foot player himself.
- ClaudeFather

Of course he was on his way to a career year. Last season was his third season of his career and that’s normally how careers work for young players.

I think Laughton is important to a team with cup aspirations. I could see him being re-signed for 2.5 to 3M per on a 2-3 year deal. A bit of a raise but unlikely to be a longer term. The flat cap is going to have an effect on signings. Let’s see how it goes this season first but I think new contracts of that level will be reasonable.

Of course he was on his way to a career year. Last season was his third season of his career and that’s normally how careers work for young players.
- SuperSchennBros

Yes SSB, yes...and what does that mean? He was trending upward as a player and looked to be a key contributor to the offense and plays a great two hundred foot game. What don’t you get. Should I spell it out for you?

I think Laughton is important to a team with cup aspirations. I could see him being re-signed for 2.5 to 3M per on a 2-3 year deal. A bit of a raise but unlikely to be a longer term. The flat cap is going to have an effect on signings. Let’s see how it goes this season first but I think new contracts of that level will be reasonable.
- NC Flyers Fan

Wishful thinking but yes, let’s see how it plays out.

I see what you're saying kind of, but Laughton has been playing for parts of 6-7 seasons. Lindblom only parts of 3. Not to mention Lindblom has the higher ceiling from an offensive/goal scoring standpoint.

That's not to say that I don't think there is still more there offensively from Laughton, though. Every season he has quite a few games where he flashes some skill that I didn't know he was capable of. He keeps getting better.
- Ftown19125

Wouldn’t this make Laughton more impressive? Laughton is and only has ever been a bottom six player, while Lindblom is likely to get more of push and yet both put up the same production during the 2018-19 season.

It’s like all the time I stood up for JvR vs Hayes. A healthy JvR is more offensively talented than Hayes or at least history would say so but Hayes plays a more balanced two way game and kills penalties.

Yes SSB, yes...and what does that mean? He was trending upward as a player and looked to be a key contributor to the offense and plays a great two hundred foot game. What don’t you get. Should I spell it out for you?
- ClaudeFather

I don’t think Lindblom is a key contributor to the offense. Not yet.

New blog.

I have news for you, one guy has been in the league much longer than the other. Let’s blame Oskar for him not being ready for the playoffs, he should have beaten cancer earlier.
- ClaudeFather

Well no kidding. One is older than the other by two years. The younger one played in Europe for a bit.

Yes. Kerr was 6'3" which seemed to be bigger back then. JVR should watch hours of Kerr tape... Morin, Ratcliffe should watch and learn as well.
- leon neon

JVR's shot and release isn't remotely as good as Kerr. JVR is not a player who can model Kerr.

Wouldn’t this make Laughton more impressive? Laughton is and only has ever been a bottom six player, while Lindblom is likely to get more of push and yet both put up the same production during the 2018-19 season.

It’s like all the time I stood up for JvR vs Hayes. A healthy JvR is more offensively talented than Hayes or at least history would say so but Hayes plays a more balanced two way game and kills penalties.
- SuperSchennBros

Not really, because it was Lindblom's first full season and he's younger. I don't really care who is more important, I want both to stay. I was just saying why people probably feel that way.

At this point I think Hayes is a much better player than JVR. The JVR signing is looking like a mistake imo. When it happened I tried to be optimistic, but it just doesn't look good.

Tampa bay also had the luxury of underpaying star guys due to taxes. We also have JVR $7M man on the third line.
- ClaudeFather

It is amazing that no state tax in Florida only benefits one team