Laughton Longs to Finish Season

Unlike most of his teammates, Philadelphia Flyers left wing/center remains in the Delaware Valley three-and-a-half weeks in the NHL's schedule pause due to the global coronavirus pandemic. He has stayed at his Philadelphia apartment with his girlfriend, at least for the time being. Later this month, Laughton will head back to his native Ontario,where the 25-year old will move into a new residence.

Regardless of where they are staying, every Flyers player to a man has expressed a strong desire to see through the 2019-20 season and see the Stanley Cup awarded; even if it means playing deep into the summer, potentially holding centralized neutral-site game for the playoffs and having a short off-season before the start of next season's training camp.
Laughton is no exception.
"I think any chance it gives us to come back and play some playoff hockey [is an idea worth considering]. I think that's what we play all year for. I think that's what a lot of guys are thinking, especially here in Philly. We want to play hockey. We want a chance to win the Stanley Cup. I think any chance we can do that and logistics-wise where we can play," the player said during a media conference call on Tuesday.
The season interruption could scarcely have come at a worse time for the Flyers, who had won nine of their last 10 games before the pause and were knocking on the door of first place in the Metropolitan Division with 13 games left on the regular season schedule. While he realizes that the NHL had no other choice due to the pandemic, Laughton cannot help but lament the lost time.
"When it kind of got shut down, there was a really good feeling in the locker room. Obviously you don't know what would have happened in the last 13 or however many games we missed, but the feeling in the locker room was good. The vibe was good. We were playing some of our best hockey of the year, if not the best. Hopefully we can come back and return to that. We can't really carry the momentum over with this much of a break. Just a reset and hopefully we can come back," he said.
Individually, Laughton was having an excellent campaign. Despite missing 20 games due to injury (fractured finger in late October, groin issue in mid-December), Laughton has had his best all-around season season.
Offensively, Laughton has already established a new single-season career high with 13 goals despite the time lost due to injuries and the NHL's schedule pause. He is within five points of tying his career-high in points (32) set last season, when he was able to dress in all 82 games.
The player also displayed his versatility. He's played on the third, fourth, and even the second line (left wing) as needed. Laughton has provided tenacious forechecking and backchecking work and is mainstay on the team's greatly improved penalty kill.
"To be honest, it probably started last year, later on in the year when I started playing with Patty and Simmer. Started to get a little more confidence there, started putting out more points and having success in the league. That kind of translated over into this year where I was given a role where I was really comfortable. Played with some great players. I think that always helps. I think confidence is a huge thing in the league and I really believe that. Just trying to find spaces where I can find opportunities. They've been working out. Just trying to play the same game every single night. Obviously, I think a lot of came with the opportunity that was given, just the coaching staff and the players that I've played with," Laughton said.
Laughton realizes that there are many obstacles that have to be cleared before the season could be finished: the pandemic curve would have to not just flatten but start to significantly trend downward, training camps would have to be held before games resume, game dates and venues would need to be sorted out. Nevertheless, whereas many other hockey leagues have canceled the remainder of their 2019-20 seasons, the NHL and NHL Players Association continues to hold out hope of a return. That, in turn, has given hope to Laughton and fellow NHL players.
"I think you have to be optimistic at this point and hope for the best. Obviously we are talking together as a group and with the PA, just trying to sort what we can do. Obviously it's a little bit out of our hands right now, but at the same time, you've got to stay optimistic. Continue to train and be ready for when the season comes. Everyone are such good pros. I don't know the exact amount of time [would be needed for a training mini-camp before games resume], but I think two weeks to get back up into it and see what happens after that," Laughton said.
"I think, first and foremost, [the biggest hurdle] is the safety of everyone. If we can get past all of this and come out stronger, hopefully we can get something done where we can play. I know, especially in Philly, guys definitely want to play and have a chance of winning the Cup."
While in Philadelphia, Laughton has been doing what he can to stay in shape. He concedes that he's not able to do what he'd do during a summer offseason, but feels that it is adequate under the circumstances.
"It's tough. It's a smaller apartment here. Just trying to do body weight stuff. Our trainers in Philly have begun to give us to do at home. I've been in contact with my trainer back home too. Mixing those two together. The odd day, I will do some yoga with my girlfriend in the living room. Other than that, just trying to get a sweat on and stay active. Just stay in shape the best that I can. Not the most training equipment in my apartment, so just trying to do everything I can without weights and just to stay active," he said.