VOORHEES, N.J. — Scott Laughton remembers his initial Flyers training camp in 2012.
The 21-year-old center was the Flyers’ first-round pick the previous June and was coming into the NHL lockout-shortened season that January.
“When I was 18 and starting those five games during the lockout year, I don’t think I took them for granted,” Laughton recalled. “But I definitely know how hard it is to make the league and stay there, too.”
After four training camps, Laughton finally has arrived after making the roster on Monday, as the Flyers reduced their roster to 23 (maximum) players by waiving defenseman Andrew MacDonald (see story).
Laughton will center the third line with Matt Read on the left and R.J. Umberger at right wing.
“That’s the biggest thing — staying here,” Laughton said. “I’m going to do everything I can to stay here, work as hard as I can. Like I said, the hard work has just begun and that’s the biggest thing ... I’m excited for the opportunity.”
General manager Ron Hextall said last week the one area Laughton had improved upon most which caught the coaching staff’s attention was his attention to defense. He’s tenacious now.
“There’s a bunch of things,” Laughton said. “A lot of it is comfort level with the guys. Confidence. To be able to play with them half of last year and be familiar with them. That takes a lot.
“Just comfortable with the puck. I think I worked a lot on my skating this summer and that is what probably took me to the next level.
“You definitely want to make it. That is the biggest thing. I thought the year in the minors last year was good for me, too. I learned a lot of things down there to take into this year. Hopefully, I can do that.”
Throughout camp, Laughton, a natural scorer in junior, showed he was capable of two-way play.
Laughton said that was part of the adjustment he had to make this camp.
Last week, coach Dave Hakstol used Laughton in a shutdown centerman role against Derek Stepan’s line during an exhibition loss to the Rangers. Laughton gave a good showing of himself.
Hakstol seems destined to employ him against either Tyler Johnson or Steven Stamkos' line on Thursday night when the Flyers open the season in Tampa Bay.
“I think we’ve got four lines that can play against anybody to a certain degree,” Hakstol said. “Would I look at that as a specific matchup? No, I wouldn’t be looking at that as a sole role for Scotty and Reader and Umby. I wouldn’t say that’s the case.
“Will that be part of their role? Yes, it will. Scotty needs to be very good two ways. He’s got to be hard-nosed. He has to be reliable.”
Reminded that he played Stepan very tight and Tampa has two top lines that require checking, Hakstol relented a bit.
“I think some of it is in the abilities of that player to be able to play that [defensive] role,” Hakstol said. “Certainly, Scotty has that ability in terms of his strength, his skating ability, a strong stick, competitiveness.
“And to go along with that, I think it’s a mentality and some experiences that help you be good in those roles, whether it be on faceoffs or in any three zones on the ice. I think mentality and experience help.
“We’ve only seen him in that role a little bit through preseason, and like I’ve said, not a sole role, but that’ll be part of his role.”