Flyers return Laughton to junior team, recall Newbury

The Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday returned 2012 first-round pick Scott Laughton to his junior team, and recalled forward Kris Newbury from the American Hockey League.

Laughton, the 20th pick of the draft, made the Flyers' season-opening roster for the second consecutive season, but was a healthy scratch Wednesday as Philadelphia opened its season with a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played five games without a point last season.

"We talked about it for probably almost two weeks, what to do," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "Scott's a good kid. We like him, we think he's got a bright future for the Flyers. At the end of the day we thought it was in the best interest of not only Scott but the Flyers to loan him back to his junior team where he can play a much more expanded role and continue to develop."

He'll spend the remainder of the season with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League, and also have a chance to play for Canada at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Newbury, 31, was acquired in July from the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Danny Syvret. He had one assist in six games with the Rangers last season, and in 72 NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Rangers, he has nine points and 132 penalty minutes.