Scott Laughton admits the lack of response to Radko Gudas was embarrassing before tonight's Ducks rematch
Photo credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Scott Laughton was traded for a conditional third-round pick though he's still watching his old team. But he's surprised that nobody went after Radko Gudas when Auston Matthews went down and on Monday night, they have one final chance to answer the question — why didn't they?
Traded at the deadline for a conditional third-round pick, Scott Laughton has found a pretty nice home out in sunny California. With five points in 12 games, 27 hits and winning 57% of his face-offs, he's picked up right where he left off with Toronto.
But he's still keeping an eye on his old team and was a bit perplexed in the team's game vs. the Anaheim Ducks on March 12.
Scott Laughton admits he was 'surprised' there wasn't a response earlier as pressure builds in Toronto
When Radko Gudas kneed Auston Matthews, the team did nothing and that's drawn a lot of criticism with Laughton the latest detractor:
Sometimes you're a little in shock and sometimes it doesn't happen. It gets a lot of attention, maybe more than normal.
But at the same time, the way they have responded in the last couple of games, you're kind of hoping it would happen earlier, but it didn't.
But at the same time, the way they have responded in the last couple of games, you're kind of hoping it would happen earlier, but it didn't.
Laughton's comments echo those from Chris Pronger where he was utterly baffled that no one went after Gudas or even checked on Matthews until it was way, way too late.
Though Laughton did have some praise for someone he got to know a great deal in his short time — Easton Cowan. He loved the fire the rookie showed following the incident and acknowledged his growth but it still shows that everyone around the league was wondering...
What the heck was going through the Maple Leafs' minds?
Radko Gudas expected to play in Ducks/Leafs season finale despite walking boot
Shifting focus from what the team was thinking and onto what they can do on Monday night, one goal is clear: Radko Gudas is ready for anything.
All credit to Gudas, he was seen in a walking boot on Friday after being injured vs. Calgary, didn't play vs. Edmonton but then came out of nowhere and basically said 'I'd have to be dead to not play.' He knows how important this rematch is, and he likely wants to get in on the action.
But beyond that, Gudas stepping in is a bit of a veteran move as he knows without him in the lineup, then some of the other stars like Bennett Sennecke, Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson are all sitting ducks.
There are several players who should be looking to fight Gudas too. Cowan is absolutely someone who wants to drop the gloves, however there needs to be one person and one person only (and it doesn't matter the result).
Morgan Rielly.
The longest tenured member of the Maple Leafs, Matthews' teammate for a decade, and the one who should have done something but did nothing at all. Rielly isn't a fighter, and he's going to get smoked most likely. But this isn't about winning.
It's about swallowing your pride, taking your physical and metaphorical lumps, and realizing that these types of sacrifices are going to need to be made not only to win; but to keep everyone else safe. You're a defender....defend your teammates.
With a lot of expected changes on the horizon, and a need to show Auston Matthews that he has people he can rely on, there's really only one goal in this game.
It's not to win. It's not to lose. But instead, cause as much chaos as possible and make sure Gudas and anyone else think extra hard about going after someone ever again.
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