Scott Laughton/Philadelphia Flyers
So far, we have looked at a pair of players from the Islanders, one who is capable of putting up a flurry of points and another who has fallen way short of expectations. But let’s look at another player in the Metro Division who can be hit or miss: Scott Laughton.
The upside with Laughton recently has been aplenty, as he’s put up 82 points and 31 goals over the past two seasons with 160 appearances. His average time on ice neared the 17-minute mark, and he’s also a player who could put up a phenomenal physical presence and land crushing hits to create opportunities for whomever he’s playing for in 2024-25.
While there is a good chance Laughton sticks around in Philadelphia, he was in the rumor mill this past season, and there is no doubt Daniel Briere will move the 30-year-old if enticed with the right price. But this also doesn’t mean Doug Armstrong needs to target a player who may not give the Blues as many chances offensively as his recent performances may indicate.
St. Louis needs scoring help, and it wouldn’t be wise to trade for a player with a career Corsi For of 47.1 at even strength, especially when that player has seen 125 goals allowed while on the ice in the same situation over the past two years. Laughton would be a good addition in Gateway City, but he’s nowhere near the ideal offensive-oriented forward the Blues need.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)