'He's one of my best friends': Former Leaf shares what Scott Laughton brings to the locker room
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Former Maple Leafs forward James Van Riemsdyk knows what it's like to play with Scott Laughton, and he's confident in why the fans have started to love what he does.
When the Maple Leafs traded for Scott Laughton at least year's trade deadline, they decided he was the one to be their 3C and lead the bottom-six with he tenacious mix of offense and defense.
However the acquisition of Nicolas Roy pushed him down the lineup but that shouldn't be seen as a negative as Laughton has ignited the lineup and created an atmosphere where the team isn't going to take any guff from anyone.
Earning the praise of his teammates for his performance this season, Laughton has been vital to the Toronto penalty kill and has formed a great bond with rookie Easton Cowan -- a huge benefit to the young forward's debut season.
Scott Laughton's presence is a blessing for the Maple Leafs: JVR
That type of presence isn't lost on his former teammates either, and for James van Riemsdyk, he's confident that Toronto fans are going to keep loving Laughton, and that he's one of a kind.
JVR was a guest on Leafs Morning Take and commented on Laughton's production since coming to Toronto and how he's able to lead a locker room to create an all-for-one environment:
All I can say is he's one of my best friends and one of my favorite teammates of all time. Just the energy he brings to a team and the locker room is second to none.
He's the type of guy who brings everyone together, just kind of friends with everyone in the sense of just people are always drawn to him.
He's bringing people together in a lot of different ways and so fun to be around. Very self-deprecating, doesn't take himself too seriously so I'm sure that's getting chirped more than anything.
But I can't say enough good things about him.
He's the type of guy who brings everyone together, just kind of friends with everyone in the sense of just people are always drawn to him.
He's bringing people together in a lot of different ways and so fun to be around. Very self-deprecating, doesn't take himself too seriously so I'm sure that's getting chirped more than anything.
But I can't say enough good things about him.
Laughton and van Riemsdyk played together from 2018-2023 so it's not like the former Maple Leafs forward only had a brief stint with Laughton. He knows how important he is to a team, and it's clear there's a lot of love still left.
Why Scott Laughton is more important than you think
Besides what he brings to the ice, which is a no-nonsense attitude and a underrated mean streak, Laughton is wily veteran who knows how to maximize his ice time.
Two recent examples were during both the Winnipeg Jets game as well as one versus the Minnesota Wild.
First against the Jets, Laughton made sure to give Martin Necas a piece of his mind and when Jonathan Toews stepped in to confront Laughton, the Maple Leafs forward started blasting the three-time Cup champion and wouldn't let up.
It's not too often Toews is the one getting screamed at, and Laughton was sure that he was going to get the last word.
Then against Minnesota, he was tired and needed to buy himself time. So in doing so, baited the referee into giving him nearly a minute of rest after examining his stick, finding a flaw, and taking his time to get a new one.
That bought him and his team much needed time and allowed him to reset. Granted, it didn't end the best but it shows the type of veteran instinct he brings.
Plus as just a genuinely friendly and approachable person, it helps the younger players like Cowan and Matias Maccelli ask for advice and not feel like they don't belong -- as was the case sporadically a couple decades ago.
What he does on the ice is crucial no doubt. He wins face-offs, kills penalties, scores goals and will defend his teammates to the bitter end.
But he's giving the Maple Leafs even more when he's off the ice, as a veteran leader the entire team can turn to for support, and perhaps a much better acquisition than at first glance.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 22|701 ANSWERS 'He's one of my best friends': Former Leaf shares what Scott Laughton brings to the locker room Do you think Scott Laughton turned out to be a good trade for the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 561 | 80 % |
| No | 140 | 20 % |
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