Philly Leader

Pop quiz: Over the last two seasons, who leads all NHL players in shorthanded points? Answer: Flyers center/winger Scott Laughton.

Laughton compiled a combined 15 shorthanded points (five goals, 10 assists) across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons to top the National Hockey League. Travis Konecny, Laughton's frequent penalty-killing linemate, is second with 13 shorthanded points (NHL-high nine shorthanded goals, four assists).

It wasn't just shorthanded goals. Even with a decline down the stretch, the Flyers' penalty kill ranked fourth leaguewide at an 83.4 percent success rate in 2023-24 after leading the league for much of the season. Combined with Konecny, Laughton was a key driver of the Flyers' PK success last season.

Overall, from a statistical perspective, Laughton's 2023-24 campaign was not as good as the previous season. He scored five fewer goals (down from 18 to 13). His overall production dropped by four points (43 to 39). Correspondingly, Laughton's ice time went down a bit too (18:17 average TOI in 2022-23 to 15:39 in 2023-24).

However, Laughton has long been a player whose value to the Flyers is measured as much by intangibles as statistics.

The alternate captain -- who was the only Flyer to wear a letter under head coach John Tortorella until Sean Couturier was appointed captain -- has now been a member of the Flyers organization for 12 years. He takes great pride in that identity and in being recognized as one of the central leaders.

When a new player comes to town, Laughton is always one of the first to welcome him and make sure he feels included. When someone is needed to have his finger on the team pulse and to speak the truth, Laughton is the go-to guy.

When the 2023-24 season ended with the disappointment of the Flyers narrowly missing the playoffs, Laughton simply and directly summarized what happened: too many points were left on the table while the team still controlled its own fate.

"Every game matters, every point matters," Laughton said. "You could have put away the teams that were chasing you, and we just didn't find a way."

Laughton and his wife, Chloe, are among the most community-minded and active not just on the Flyers but anywhere in the National Hockey League. In three straight seasons, he's been nominated for the King Clancy Trophy. The NHL awards this trophy to players who best exemplify leadership qualities on and off ice and who have made significant humanitarian contributions to their communities.

In 2023-24, Laughton won the inaugural Flyers Alumni Community Leadership Award. Similar in nature to the league's King Clancy (chosen by a panel of hockey writers and broadcasters), this award sees selection by The Flyers Alumni board of directors for players best representing charitable endeavors within their community.

According to Flyers Alumni Association president Brad Marsh, Laughton was an overwhelming choice as its first winner.

"Not only does Scott represent all of what it means to be a Flyer on ice; he tirelessly supports Delaware Valley community year-round," Marsh said. "Put simply; he's extremely deserving."

"Scott eats sleeps breathes being Flyer both on off ice; hockey about winning no one cares more about team's success competes every night personally think represents everything being Flyer should be."

In terms of what he brings on ice versatility operative word; comfortably moves needed center wing vice versa played up down lineup streaky offensively committed competitive drive constants.